Daily Prelims Notes 12 September 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

12 September 2024

Table Of Contents

1. 40% Amazon rainforest unprotected: why is this significant for climate change?
2. Indian megacities lag in air pollution control despite lion’s share of financial support
3. Cabinet Approves ₹10900 Crore Scheme for E-Mobility Push
4. Organ-on-Chip Technology: A Game Changer for BioE3 and Personalized Medicine
5. African Group Seeks Permanent Solution for Public Stock Holding (PSH) Issue at WTO
6. Afghanistan Set to Begin Work on $10 Billion TAPI Pipeline
7. Controversy over Mumbai’s Salt Pans: Ecological Impact and Development Concerns

1. 40% Amazon rainforest unprotected: why is this significant for climate change?

Sub: Env

Sec: Climate change

Context:

• The Amazon rainforest is crucial in the battle against global warming.

Details:

• Nearly 40% of the most critical areas for climate change mitigation in the Amazon lack special government protection. These areas are not designated as nature reserves or indigenous territories.
  • The unprotected regions are mainly located in the far southwest of the Amazon in Peru or far northeast in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.
• They contain the largest, densest trees and most continuous canopy cover.
• These areas store the most carbon, which could be released as greenhouse gases if the forest is destroyed.
• Protection Status:
  • 61% of peak carbon areas in the Amazon are protected.
  • In Brazil, Suriname, and French Guiana, only 51% of peak carbon areas are protected.
  • Peru protects a higher proportion, but some unprotected areas are earmarked for logging.
• Amazon’s Carbon Storage:
  • The Amazon contains 71.5 billion tonnes of carbon.
  • This is roughly double the global carbon dioxide emissions for 2022.
  • The Amazon barely absorbed more carbon than it released in the decade leading up to 2022.
• Importance for Global Climate:
  • The Amazon’s role as a carbon sink is crucial for the planet’s health.
  • If it becomes an emission source instead of a carbon sink, the impact could be catastrophic.

2. Indian megacities lag in air pollution control despite lion’s share of financial support

Sub: Env

Sec: Pollution

Context:

• The Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 (Clean Air Study), recently published by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has highlighted the disappointing performance of India’s megacities, where millions of people reside.

About Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS):

• Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 (Clean Air Study) ranked 130 cities based on their air quality improvement efforts.
• Objective:
  • To create awareness among all sections of the society
  • Inform citizens about the health impacts related due to exposure
  • Comparing air quality conditions at different locations/cities
  • To achieve the goal of NCAP “Clean air for all”.
• Criteria:
  • Category 1: Population: 10 lakh + (No. of Cities: 47)
  • Category 2: Population: 3-10 lakh (No. of Cities: 43)
  • Category 3: Population: Under 3 lakh (No. of Cities: 40)
• Evaluation Process:
  • Based on self-assessment reports from urban local bodies
  • Vetted by state Air Quality Monitoring Committees
  • Final evaluation by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• Ranking Criteria:
  • Uses the PRANA (Portal for Regulation of Air Pollution in Non-Attainment Cities) dashboard
  • Assesses control measures across 8 sectors:
    • Biomass and municipal solid waste burning (20%)
    • Road dust (20%)
    • Vehicular emissions (20%)
    • Industrial emissions (20%)
    • Construction and demolition dust (5%)
    • PM10 concentration improvements (2.5%)
    • Public awareness activities (2.5%)
    • Other emissions control (10%)

Key outcome of 2024 report:

• Major cities performed poorly despite receiving significant funding.
• Ranking of Major Cities:
  • Delhi: 11th place (best among major cities)
  • Bengaluru: 28th place
  • Mumbai: 32nd place
  • Kolkata: 41st place
  • Chennai: 46th place (worst among major cities)
• Top Performing Cities:

• These cities are being awarded for their significant improvements in air quality, achieved through the adoption of various best practices aimed at mitigating air pollution.
• Some of the key activities they implemented include:
  • End-to-end paving on roads
  • Promoting mechanical sweeping
  • Bioremediation of legacy waste
  • C & D and solid waste management
  • Nagar Vatika from reclaimed land of dumpsite
  • Greenbelt development
  • Intelligent traffic management system
  • Miyawaki forestation
• Funding and Utilization:
  • Total allocation: Rs 11,211 crore for air pollution control
  • Six major cities received Rs 3,285 crore (30% of total)
  • Average fund utilization: about 60%
  • Bengaluru: lowest utilization at 22%
  • Chennai: highest utilization, almost 100%
• Challenges for Major Cities:
  • Limited improvement despite varying fund utilization
  • Slight increases in PM10 levels in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai
  • Marginal improvements in other cities

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

Overview The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has launched National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January, 2019 as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner. The NCAP targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in concentrations of PM10(particulate matter of diameter between 10 and 2.5 micrometer) and PM2.5(particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micrometer or less) by the year 2024, keeping 2017 as the base year for comparison of concentration

The aims of the NCAP are

1. To ensure stringent implementation of mitigation measures for prevention, control and abatement of air pollution.
2. To augment and evolve effective and proficient ambient air quality monitoring network across the country for ensuring a comprehensive and reliable database.
3. To augment public awareness and capacity-building measures encompassing data dissemination and public outreach programmes for inclusive public participation and for ensuring trained manpower and infrastructure on air pollution.

3. Cabinet Approves ₹10900 Crore Scheme for E-Mobility Push

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Economy

•   Scheme Overview:
  • The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme, with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore.
  • The scheme is aimed at the procurement of e-buses and the setting up of over 72,000 charging stations to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce range anxiety among buyers.
• Duration:
  • The scheme will be valid for two years from its implementation.
• Subsidies and Demand Incentives:
  • The scheme offers subsidies or demand incentives worth ₹3,679 crore for various electric vehicles, including:
    • E-2Ws (Electric Two-Wheelers): Support for 24.79 lakh units.
    • E-3Ws (Electric Three-Wheelers): Support for 3.16 lakh units.
    • E-ambulances and e-trucks are also included under the incentive program.
• E-Bus Procurement:
  • ₹4,391 crore will be allocated for the procurement of 14,028 e-buses by state transport undertakings.

The e-buses will be deployed in 9 cities with populations exceeding 40 lakhs, including:

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Ahmedabad
• Surat
• Bangalore
• Pune
• Hyderabad
• Charging Infrastructure:
  • The scheme allocates ₹2,000 crore for the installation of charging stations in cities with high EV penetration and on specified highways.

The PM E-Drive scheme aims to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility, reducing pollution and supporting EV infrastructure.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme

PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) is a government initiative with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore over two years aimed at promoting electric mobility in India.

Key Components of the Scheme:

• Subsidies and Demand Incentives:
  • ₹3,679 crore has been allocated to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles, including:
    • Electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws)
    • Electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws)
    • Electric ambulances
    • Electric trucks
    • Other emerging EV categories.
• E-Vouchers for EV Buyers:
  • Buyers of electric vehicles will receive an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher under the scheme.
  • This e-voucher will be sent to the buyer’s registered mobile number after purchase to avail demand incentives.
• E-Ambulance Deployment:
  • A budget of ₹500 crore has been allocated to deploy electric ambulances.
  • The goal is to provide comfortable and environmentally friendly transport for patients.
  • Performance and safety standards for these e-ambulances will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), and other stakeholders.
• Incentives for E-Trucks:
• ₹500 crore is dedicated to promoting e-trucks, which contribute significantly to air pollution.
  • Those holding a scrapping certificate from authorised MoRTH Vehicle Scrapping Centres (RVSFs) will be eligible for incentives under this component.
• Charging Infrastructure:
  • To mitigate range anxiety and support EV growth, ₹2,000 crore will be utilized to install public charging stations (EVPCS).
  • These stations will be set up in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways.

4. Organ-on-Chip Technology: A Game Changer for BioE3 and Personalized Medicine

Sub: Sci

Sec: Biotech

Why is in News

On August 24, 2024, the Government of India introduced the ‘BioE3’ policy aimed at revolutionizing the biotechnology sector by setting up biomanufacturing facilities, bio-AI hubs, and bio-foundries. This policy, with a particular focus on precision therapeutics and biologics, could leverage emerging technologies such as Organ-on-Chip (OoC) to accelerate drug discovery, making it a timely and strategic initiative.

What is Organ-on-Chip Technology?

Organ-on-chip (OoC) technology refers to a micro engineered biomimetic system designed to replicate the structural and functional characteristics of human tissues. By combining biomaterial technology, cell biology, and engineering on a miniaturized platform, OoC allows researchers to simulate human organ behavior in a lab environment. These chips can mimic various human organs such as lungs, liver, kidney, heart, intestine, and skin.

How Does It Work?

The technology integrates cell biology with microfluidics to recreate in-vitro tissues that reflect in-vivo physiological processes.

OoC devices are equipped with sensors and microchannels that replicate the fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical gradients found in human organs.

This enables precise control of parameters like concentration gradients, fluid shear stress, and tissue interactions, making the system more accurate than traditional in-vitro methods.

Applications

Organ-on-chip models have broad applications across multiple scientific fields, including:

Drug Discovery and Development: They aid in optimizing drug leads, toxicological studies, and pharmacokinetics, providing early insights into the drug’s efficacy and safety.

Disease Modelling: OoC models simulate disease conditions, helping researchers study pathogenesis and test treatments in a more realistic human context.

Toxicology: By accurately mimicking human tissues, OoC offers better alternatives to animal models for toxicity testing.

Virology and Pathogenesis: These chips are instrumental in studying how viruses infect human organs, a particularly valuable tool during outbreaks like COVID-19.

International Developments in Organ-on-Chip Technology: The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 (2022) in the U.S. allows OoC technology as an alternative to animal testing in drug development.

India’s Role in Advancing Organ-on-Chip Technology: India has made progress by:

Amendments to New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules (2019): Permits the use of human OoC models and “New Approach Methods” (NAMs) alongside animal testing.

Workshops: In July 2024, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology hosted a workshop on the latest developments in NAMs.

Future Outlook and Policy Recommendations

Establishing Dedicated Centers: For successful adoption, India needs dedicated organ-on-chip centers that facilitate research, streamline regulatory processes, and promote industry-academia collaboration.

Enhancing Self-Sufficiency: By investing in OoC technology, India can reduce its reliance on foreign biotechnology and bolster its standing in precision medicine.

Economic and Healthcare Benefits: Organ-on-chip centers can help improve healthcare outcomes while boosting economic growth through innovation in the biotechnology sector.

What is BioE3 Policy? The BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy was introduced by the Government of India to boost innovation in the biotechnology sector. It focuses on modernizing biomanufacturing and advancing precision medicine through cutting-edge technologies.

Key Objectives:

Enhance Biomanufacturing Capabilities: Establish world-class biomanufacturing facilities to scale up the production of biologics, gene therapy, and cell therapy.

Promote Bio-AI Integration: Develop bio-AI hubs to leverage artificial intelligence in biotechnology for tasks like drug discovery, personalized medicine, and diagnostics.

Establish Bio-Foundries: Set up bio-foundries, which are platforms that automate the design, testing, and optimization of biological systems to accelerate the development of new therapies and biologics.

5. African Group Seeks Permanent Solution for Public Stock Holding (PSH) Issue at WTO

Sub: IR

Sec: Int org

Why in News:

The African Group, along with India and other developing countries, is pushing for a permanent solution to the Public Stock Holding (PSH) issue at the World Trade Organization (WTO). They seek a solution independent of the ongoing agriculture negotiations, reflecting the need to secure food security and price support measures for small-scale farmers.

What is Public Stock Holding (PSH)

Public Stock Holding (PSH) refers to a government program in which essential food commodities are purchased at a Minimum Support Price (MSP) from farmers and stored to ensure food security. PSH systems aim to maintain an adequate stock of food grains to stabilize prices, manage food shortages, and provide food to vulnerable populations during times of crisis.

The African Group views PSH as essential for ensuring food security by supporting production and consumption in developing countries.

PSH helps governments maintain stocks of essential food items to stabilize prices and prevent food shortages, especially during times of crises.

Alignment with Developing Nations

The African Group’s stance aligns with countries like India and members of the G-33 group, which also advocate for flexibility in food stock policies at the WTO.

Developing nations aim for a solution that allows them to exceed WTO-prescribed Minimum Support Price (MSP) limits without facing penalties or restrictive conditions.

About G-33: The G-33 (or the Friends of Special Products in agriculture) is a coalition of developing countries, established prior to the 2003 Cancun ministerial conference, that have coordinated during the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations, specifically in regard to agriculture.

Dominated by India, the group has “defensive” concerns regarding agriculture in relation to World Trade Organization negotiations, and seeks to limit the degree of market opening required of developing countries.

When rich governments can afford to heavily subsidize their agriculture, predatory dumping can undermine a poorer country’s agricultural economy.

Developing countries aim to balance power through tariffs, in order to manage their own food security, stabilize of the livelihoods of their farming populations, and strengthen rural development.

The group has advocated the creation of a “special products” exemption, which would allow developing countries to exempt certain products from tariff reductions, and also a “special safeguard mechanism” which would permit tariff increases in response to import surges.

WTO-prescribed Minimum Support Price (MSP) limits

They refer to the restrictions set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the level of domestic agricultural subsidies that member countries can provide to their farmers. These limits are part of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), which aims to prevent trade distortions and unfair competition in the global market.

Key Aspects of MSP Limits Under the WTO:

Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS): The AMS is the total amount of subsidies or support that a country provides to its agricultural sector, including MSP programs. Countries must report their AMS to the WTO, and they cannot exceed certain levels, which are calculated based on a reference price from the 1986-88 period.

De Minimis Limits: For developing countries, the de minimis limit allows up to 10% of the total value of agricultural production to be provided as support without it being counted towards the AMS.

For developed countries, this limit is set at 5%.

Peace clause: The Bali Ministerial Decision on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes allows developing countries to breach the 10% ceiling without legal consequences.

Product-Specific Support: The WTO sets limits on subsidies provided for individual crops, such as wheat, rice, or cotton, to prevent countries from favoring specific agricultural products and causing trade distortions.

Non-Trade Distorting Support (Green Box): Some subsidies, like food security programs or environmental protection measures, are categorized as Green Box measures, which are exempt from limits as they are considered non-trade distorting.

Issue with MSP and PSH:

Developing countries, such as India, argue that their public stockholding programs, where they procure food grains from farmers at MSP for food security purposes, should not be counted towards trade-distorting subsidies.

The problem arises because the WTO calculates the subsidy based on outdated reference prices (from 1986-88), making the support appear much higher in today’s terms, even if it is necessary for food security.

6. Afghanistan Set to Begin Work on $10 Billion TAPI Pipeline

Sub: IR

Sec: Int org

Why in News

Afghanistan has announced the commencement of work on the significant $10 billion TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) natural gas pipeline project. This project is considered the most critical development initiative undertaken by the Taliban since they took control in 2021.

TAPI Pipeline:

Progress and Delays: Work on the Turkmenistan side of the pipeline started in 2015, but the project faced numerous delays in Afghanistan due to security concerns, political instability, and financial challenges.

The project, initially scheduled to begin in Afghanistan in 2018, was delayed further following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Experts estimate that the pipeline is unlikely to be operational for at least another decade, with funding and security issues still unresolved.

Afghanistan’s Strategic Role: The TAPI pipeline places Afghanistan in a strategic role, linking energy-deficient South Asia with energy-rich Central Asia.

7. Controversy over Mumbai’s Salt Pans: Ecological Impact and Development Concerns

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Areas

Why in News

Recently, the Central Government approved the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between the Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra Government. The land will be used to build rental housing for slum dwellers. This decision has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from environmentalists and opposition leaders who argue that the move will harm the fragile ecosystem of Mumbai.

What are Salt Pan Lands?

Salt pans are low-lying lands where seawater flows during certain times and evaporates, leaving behind salt and minerals.

Ecosystem Role: Salt pans, alongside mangroves, play a crucial role in protecting Mumbai from flooding.

National Distribution: Across India, 60,000 acres of land are classified as salt pans, spread across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh holds the largest share with 20,716 acres, followed by Tamil Nadu (17,095 acres) and Maharashtra (12,662 acres).

Regulation: As per the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, these ecologically sensitive areas fall under the CRZ-1B category, where economic activities are restricted, except for salt extraction and natural gas exploration.

Distribution of Salt Pan Lands in Mumbai: Mumbai has 5,378 acres designated as salt pan lands, which is nine times the size of the Dharavi slum.

Why Are Mumbai’s Salt Pans at Risk?

High Land Demand: Mumbai’s limited land drives development into salt pans.

Housing Projects: Salt pans are being used for affordable housing under the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

Regulatory Evasion: Attempts are being made to bypass Coastal Regulation Zone restrictions.

Flood Risk: Salt pans help prevent flooding; their destruction increases flood risks. Areas like Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup are at risk of submersion during heavy rains if these lands are developed.

Ecosystem Threat: Salt pans support biodiversity and flood control, making their loss impactful.

Policy Contradiction: Development projects conflict with climate action plans aimed at flood prevention.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification of 2011: Managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

CRZ Categories: Defines areas into CRZ-1 (ecologically sensitive), CRZ-2 (developed), CRZ-3 (rural), and CRZ-4 (islands).

Permitted Activities: CRZ-1 allows only salt extraction and natural gas exploration; other zones permit regulated development.

Prohibited Activities: No construction in CRZ-1 except for essential facilities; CRZ-2 and CRZ-3 have specific restrictions to balance development and conservation.

Coastal Management: Aims to protect coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and salt pans, from detrimental development.