Daily Prelims Notes 21 December 2024

December 21, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

No Comments

Daily Prelims Notes

21 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Assam bird sanctuary records 72% decline in bird species count

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Area

Context:

A recent study published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa revealed a drastic 72% decline in avian species over 27 years at the Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS) in Assam.

Details of the study:

Researchers conducted a survey from October 2022 to March 2024, recording 47 bird species compared to 167 species in 1997.
Out of all the species recorded, three – brown shrike, citrine wagtail, and white wagtail – were winter migratory while the lesser kestrel was a summer migratory and the remaining 43 were resident species.

Causes for decline in Avian Diversity:

Overfishing and excessive harvesting of aquatic plants
Poaching of birds and collecting bird eggs: Among the birds poached are the lesser whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, white breasted waterhen, Indian pond heron, eastern spot ted dove, and yellow-footed green pigeon.
High-decibel machinery used for crop cultivation near water bodies.
Conversion of sanctuary areas into pastures.

Degradation of the wetland habitat leads to:

Lowered water table and disrupted food chains.
Decline in migratory bird populations.
Slowing of nutrient cycles, which is detrimental to ecosystems.

Biodiversity of Assam:

Assam is one of the most biodiversity-rich states in India, home to approximately 950 bird species, including 17 endemic species.
The state has 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) that serve as hotspots for avian species.

Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS):

Bordoibam-Bilmukh is a large freshwater lake that was created during the great earthquake of 1950. It was part of the River Subansiri, which now flows 7 km away
It is a wetland sanctuary located on the border of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam, established in 1996.
It encompasses approximately 11.25 square kilometers of freshwater ecosystems.
A large number of migratory waterfowl are seen here in winter while some globally threatened species such as the Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus are seen all over the year.

2. SC allows pleas against cap on credit card dues

Sub: Eco

Sec: Monetary loss

Context:

Recently the Supreme Court allowed appeals by banks challenging a 2008 order of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
The 2008 NCDRC order had declared that charging over 30% interest per annum on credit card dues constituted an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act.

NCDRC’s Observations (2008):

The NCDRC evaluated whether banks could charge interest rates ranging from 36% to 49% per annum for delays or defaults in credit card payments. It concluded that charging interest rates above 30% per annum is “unfair trade practice”.
The NCDRC ruled that penal interest should be charged only once for a single period of default and should not be capitalized.
The practice of charging interest with monthly rests was also considered an unfair trade practice.

About NCDRC:

It is a quasi-judicial commission set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. Its head office is in New Delhi.
The Commission is headed by a sitting or a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of the High Court.
The Act mandates the establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the Centre as well as in each State and District to promote consumer awareness.
The Central Council is headed by the Minister In-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government, and the State Councils by the Minister In-charge of Consumer Affairs in the State Governments.
It also provides for a 3-tier structure of the National Commission, the State Commissions and the District Commissions for speedy resolution of consumer disputes.

3. US commits to 61% emissions cut by 2035: What does its updated NDC plan say?

Sub: Env

Sec: Climate Change

Context:

The United States has announced its emission reduction target for 2035, as part of its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, committing to a reduction of 61-66% below 2005 levels.
This target builds on the existing 2030 goal of 50-52% reductions over 2005 levels.
The first round of NDCs contained climate targets that countries intended to achieve by 2030. The second round of NDCs for 2035, are now due, and have to be submitted by February next year.

Emission Reduction by US: Projections

The US surpassed its 2020 target of reducing emissions by 17% below 2005 levels.
The country is on track to achieve the 2030 target of 50-52% reductions and projects up to 57% reductions under current policies by 2035.
The 2035 target is described as consistent with the global trajectory for limiting temperature rise to 5°C and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Criticism of US Emission Targets:

The US must achieve 62-65% reductions by 2030 from 2005 levels for alignment with the 1.5°C pathway, but this level is only targeted for 2035.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global emissions must fall 43% below 2019 levels by 2030 to keep alive any hopes of meeting the 1.5⁰C target.
The US is expected to have 46% reduction over 2019 levels by 2030, but this falls short of the 43% reduction needed globally, given the US’s share of historical emissions.

Climate Finance:

The 2035 NDC does not outline commitments for climate finance, a crucial obligation for developed nations under the Paris Agreement.
Climate finance contributions from US have been modest, increasing from $1.5 billion in 2021 to $9.5 billion in 2023, but falling short of its historical emissions share.

Global Commitments:

At COP29 in Baku, developed countries agreed to increase climate finance from $100 billion to $300 billion annually by 2035.

4. Three reasons why Mumbai remains under smog blanket

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Context:

Mumbai has been under a blanket of smog for three consecutive days. Mumbai has been experiencing deteriorating air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) fluctuating between moderate and poor over the past few days.

Factors Contributing to Smog:

Emissions from vehicles, construction sites, industries etc.
Low Humidity and Dry Weather: Mumbai is experiencing low moisture levels, contributing to dry weather and reduced humidity. Low humidity prevents water vapour from forming droplets on which particulate matter (PM) can cling to.
High Vertical and Horizontal Wind Speeds: The layer of pollutant cloud keeps getting pushed higher due to high vertical wind speeds (eddy diffusion) until it reaches the inversion layer which does not allow it to go further up. So, the pollution cloud hangs in the atmosphere just below the inversion layer in the sky, making it look hazy from the ground.

Challenges in AQI Monitoring:

Mumbai’s AQI data may not fully represent the city’s pollution levels as many monitoring stations are located in greener areas, potentially underreporting pollution.
The SAFAR-mobile app, which provides early warnings, is currently non-functional.
Data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows disparities.

Air Quality Index:

Launched in 2014 with One Number – One Colour -One Descriptionfor the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity.
The measurement of air quality is based on eight pollutants, namely: Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb).
Each of these pollutants is given a weight based on a formula. That weight depends on the kind of impact it has on human health.
AQI has six categoriesof air quality. These are: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe.
It has been developed by the CPCB in consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical and air-quality professionals.

5. India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023)

Sub: Env

Sec: Protected Area

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023) today at Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. The ISFR is brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis since 1987. FSI carries out in-depth assessment of the forest and tree resources of the country based on interpretation of Remote Sensing satellite data and field based National Forest Inventory (NFI), and the results are published in the ISFR. The India State of Forest Report 2023 is 18^th such report in the series.

The report contains information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock, carbon stock in India’s forests, instances of forest fire, Agroforestry, etc. To present a detailed picture of the forest health at country level, special thematic information on forest cover and important characteristics of forests have been reported in the ISFR. As per the present assessment, the total Forest and Tree cover is 8,27,357sq km, which is 25.17 percent of the geographical area of the country. The Forest Cover has an area of about 7,15,343sq km (21.76%) whereas the Tree Cover has an area of 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%).

The Minister expressed happiness over the fact that as compared to 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the total forest and tree cover of the country. He also highlighted the near real time fire alerts and forest fire services provided by FSI using advance technology.

MAJOR FINDINGS

The Forest and Tree cover of the country is 8,27,357 sq km which is 25.17 percent of the geographical area of the country, consisting of 7,15,343 sq km (21.76%) as forest cover and 1,12,014 sq km (3.41%) as tree cover.
As compared to assessment of 2021, there is an increase of 1445 sq km in the forest and tree cover of the country which includes 156 sq km increase in the forest cover and 1289 sq km increase in tree cover.
Top four states showing maximum increase in forest and tree cover are Chhattisgarh (684 sq km) followed by Uttar Pradesh (559 sq km), Odisha (559 sq km) and Rajasthan (394 sq km).
Top three states showing maximum increase in forest cover are Mizoram (242 sq km) followed by Gujarat (180 sq km) and Odisha (152 sq km).
Area wise top three states having largest forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh (85,724 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,083 sq km) and Maharashtra (65,383 sq km).
Area wise top three states having largest forest cover are Madhya Pradesh (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (65,882 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km).
In terms of percentage of forest cover with respect to total geographical area, Lakshadweep (91.33 percent) has the highest forest cover followed by Mizoram (85.34 percent) and Andaman & Nicobar Island (81.62 percent).
The present assessment also reveals that 19 states/UTs have above 33 percent of the geographical area under forest cover. Out of these, eight states/UTs namely Mizoram, Lakshadweep, A & N Island, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur have forest cover above 75 percent.
The total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km in the country.
The total growing stock of India’s forest and trees outside forests is estimated as 6430 million cum, of which 4479 million cum is inside the forests and 1951 million cum outside the forest area. There is an increase of 262 million cum of total growing stock as compared to the previous assessment which includes an increase of 91 million cum inside the forest and 171 million cum outside the forest area.
The extent of bamboo bearing area for the country has been estimated as 1,54,670sq km. As compared to the last assessment done in 2021 there is an increase of 5,227 sq km in bamboo area.
The total annual potential production of timber from trees outside forest has been estimated as 91.51 million cum.
In the present assessment total carbon stock in country’s forest is estimated to be 7,285.5 million tonnes. There is an increase of 81.5 million tonnes in the carbon stock of country as compared to the last assessment.
Regarding status on achievement of target under NDC related to carbon sequestration, the current assessment shows that India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent; which indicates that as compared to the base year of 2005, India has already reached 2.29 billion tonnes of additional carbon sink as against the target of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes by 2030.

Besides providing vital information for monitoring the country’s forest and tree resources, the data given in the ISFR serves as a useful source of information for the policy makers, planners, State Forest Departments, research organisation, line agencies involved in various developmental works, academicians, civil society and others interested in natural resource conservation and management.

6. Siliguri Corridor: A Crucial Link Strengthened by SSB Presence

Sub : Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Why in News

Union Home Minister, during the 61st Raising Day celebrations of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Siliguri, emphasized the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor as a critical link between Northeast India and the rest of the country. He praised the SSB’s role in securing borders and ensuring national security.

Siliguri Corridor:

The Siliguri Corridor, also referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck,” is located between the Mahananda and Teesta rivers.
Lies in northern West Bengal, bordered by Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and China.
Sole land link between mainland India and northeastern states.
Vulnerable to blockades or military threats, highlighted during the Doklam standoff.
Bagdogra Airport serves civilian and military needs.
Proximity to China’s Chumbi Valley increases strategic risks.

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB):

Formed in 1963 after the Indo-China war to bolster India’s border security.
Functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Guards India’s borders with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km).
Played a significant role in eliminating left-wing extremism in Bihar and Jharkhand.

61st Raising Day of SSB:

Celebrated in Siliguri, West Bengal, highlighting the strategic importance of the region. Union Home Minister lauded the SSB’s contributions to national security and community development.

About Mahananda River:

Origin: Darjeeling Hills, West Bengal. Flows through Bihar, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.
Tributary: Ganges River.

Teesta River:

Origin: Tso Lhamo Lake, Sikkim. Flows through Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.
Tributary: Brahmaputra River.

7. Enhancing India’s Digital Connectivity Through New Undersea Cables

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in it and computer

Why in News

India is set to boost its digital connectivity with two new submarine cable systems, India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe Xpress (IEX), enhancing Internet links to Asia and Europe. These developments highlight India’s growing role in undersea cable resilience and security.

Key Points:

IAX (India Asia Xpress): Connects Chennai and Mumbai to Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
IEX (India Europe Xpress): Links Chennai and Mumbai to France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti.

Undersea Cables:

Submarine cables are fibre optic cables laid on the seabed to transmit telecommunication signals across continents.
Over 99% of international data transfer relies on undersea cables.
First submarine cable: Laid in 1858 for telegraphy.
Modern cables: Made of fibre optics for faster and higher-capacity data transmission.
How They Work:
- Data is converted into light signals and transmitted through the fibres.
- Repeaters: Placed every 50–100 km to amplify light signals.
- Landing Stations: Connect the cables to terrestrial networks.

Optical Fibers:

Thin strands of glass or plastic used for transmitting data as light signals.
Components:
- Core: Carries light.
- Cladding: Ensures total internal reflection.
- Buffer Coating: Protects from moisture and damage.
Types of Optical Fibers:
- Single-Mode Fiber: Used for long-distance communication (e.g., undersea cables).
- Multi-Mode Fiber: Suitable for short distances, like LANs.
How They Work:
- Light signals carrying data are sent into the fibre core.
- Total internal reflection keeps the light within the core. At the receiver, light is decoded back into electrical signals.
Applications: Internet, telecommunication, cable TV, medical imaging (endoscopy).
Total Internal Reflection: This phenomenon allows light to travel long distances within the fiber with minimal loss of power.

8. Radical Transformations in Jatra

Sub : History

Sec: Art and culture

Why in News

The traditional folk theatre of Jatra, particularly in Odisha’s Ganjam district, has come under scrutiny due to extreme and controversial practices during performances. A recent incident involving the use of live animals on stage has sparked outrage among audiences, animal rights activists, and lawmakers, leading to legal actions.

Background:

A farmer-turned-actor, played Viradha, a demon from the Ramayana, in a Jatra performance. He used a live pig on stage, which he ripped apart during the act, shocking the audience.
Animal Welfare Violations: The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and guidelines by the Animal Welfare Board of India prohibit using live animals in cultural performances without permission.

Jatra:

Jatra is a traditional form of folk theatre combining drama, music, and dance to narrate mythological, historical, and social stories.
It is especially popular in Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh.
Origin: The word “Jatra” means “journey” or “procession.” It originated as part of religious festivals and devotional practices, often dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Rama.
Emerged during the medieval Bhakti Movement to spread religious messages through performance.
Initially focused on devotional themes, it later incorporated social, historical, and political narratives.

Performances:

Ramayana-based Jatra: Common in Odisha, focusing on epic battles and moral lessons.
Krishna Leela Jatra: Celebrates the life and exploits of Lord Krishna.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

Cruelty Definition (Section 11): Includes beating, overdriving, or torturing animals, and causing unnecessary suffering.
Prohibition on Animal Performances (Section 22): Requires registration for animal performances and adherence to AWBI guidelines.
The use of live pigs in Jatra violates Section 11, which prohibits cruelty.
Responsible individuals face penalties under this Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

9. New Models Provide Better Understanding of End Stages of Stars Like Our Sun

Sub : Sci

Sec: Space sector

Why in News

Astronomers have made advancements in understanding the final stages of stars like our Sun through improved models for dust behaviour in planetary nebulae. The study, based on observations from the Vainu Bappu Telescope and archival data, offers deeper insights into the formation, evolution, and chemical composition of hydrogen-deficient stars.

What is a Nebula?

A nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space. Nebulae are often the birthplaces of stars, as they contain the materials necessary for star formation.
Types:
- Emission Nebulae: Emit light due to ionized gases.
- Reflection Nebulae: Reflect the light of nearby stars.
- Dark Nebulae: Block the light from stars and other objects behind them.
- Planetary Nebulae: Shells of gas and dust ejected by dying stars in the late stages of their evolution.

What is a Planetary Nebula?

A planetary nebula is a type of nebula formed when a medium or low-mass star (like the Sun) sheds its outer layers after exhausting its nuclear fuel.
Occurs in the final stages of a star’s life cycle when it transitions from a red giant to a white dwarf. The expelled gases form a shell around the stellar remnant.
Some planetary nebulae show characteristics of Wolf-Rayet stars, which display strong mass loss and emissions of ionized helium, carbon, and oxygen.
Characteristics:
- Primarily composed of hydrogen, helium, and other ionized gases.
- The central star of a planetary nebula is often a white dwarf, which is the leftover core of the dying star.
- Planetary nebulae are short-lived (about 10,000 to 20,000 years).

About Wolf-Rayet (WR) Characteristics:

Wolf-Rayet stars are massive, evolved stars that are in the late stages of their life cycle, exhibiting high luminosity and strong stellar winds.
Massive Stars: Typically, 20 times the mass of the Sun or more.
Strong Stellar Winds: WR stars lose mass rapidly due to intense stellar winds.
Hydrogen Deficiency: Unlike normal stars, WR stars are hydrogen-poor and often exhibit helium, carbon, and oxygen at their surfaces.
Emissions: WR stars show strong emission lines of ionized helium, carbon, and oxygen in their spectra.
These stars are the precursors to supernovae, which mark their explosive deaths. Their evolution is key to understanding the late stages of massive stars.

Observational Data and Equipment:

The study used data from the Vainu Bappu Telescope and archived data from the IUE satellite and IRAS satellite.
The astronomers employed the CLOUDY17.3 code, a one-dimensional dusty photo-ionization model, to simulate the data and match the observed characteristics of the nebula.

Vainu Bappu Telescope:

VBT was inaugurated in 1986.
The Vainu Bappu Telescope (VBT) is a prominent optical telescope located at the Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, India. (at an altitude of 2,360 feet on the Srinivasapur Hills in Kavalur,).
It is one of the largest ground-based telescopes in India and plays a crucial role in astronomical research, particularly in the fields of stellar and galactic astronomy.
The VBT has a 2.3-meter (90-inch) diameter primary mirror, making it one of the largest optical telescopes in India.
The telescope is named after Dr. Vainu Bappu, a renowned Indian astronomer who was instrumental in the establishment of the observatory.