Daily Prelims Notes 11 September 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

11 September 2024

1. NBWL also approved a highway widening and transmission line in tiger corridors

Sub : Env

Sec: Protected Areas

Key Project Approvals:

• The NBWL cleared a transmission line project in the Little Rann of Kutch, a critical wildlife zone.
  • A transmission line in the Great Rann of Kutch.
  • Wild Ass Sanctuary: A 765 kV transmission line to support renewable energy, with the NBWL requiring bird diverters to prevent collisions, especially for migratory species like flamingos.
• Importance of the Habitat: This sanctuary is crucial for wildlife, including the wild ass, desert fox, and endangered bird species like the Asian Houbara and lesser flamingos.
• Despite protests under the ‘Save Mollem’ campaign, the board conditionally approved a 400 kV transmission line through the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park. This involves clearing 27 hectares of forest and felling 7,881 trees in the Western Ghats, home to tigers, gaur, sloth bears, and rare reptiles.

Tiger Corridors and Infrastructure Development:

• National Highway 46 Expansion: The NBWL approved the widening of NH 46 between Itarsi and Betul, passing through a tiger corridor between Satpura and Melghat tiger reserves.
  • Conditions for Approval: The project requires animal underpasses and overpasses to ensure safe wildlife crossings. The National Tiger Conservation Authority and other wildlife agencies will inspect the site to ensure compliance.

About Greater Flamingos:

• Greater flamingos are fascinating birds known for their distinctive pink coloration and unique physical characteristics.

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is constituted by the Central Government under Section 5 A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
• It replaced the Indian Board for Wildlife, which was formed in 1952.
• It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister.
• The National Board may, at its discretion, constitute a Standing Committeewhich consist of the Vice-Chairperson (Union Minister in charge of Forests and Wildlife) the Member Secretary (Additional Director General of Forests (WL) & Director, Wildlife Preservation) and not more than ten members to be nominated by the Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the National Board.
• It also includes 3 parliament members (two from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha), 5 NGOs, 10 eminent conservationists, ecologists and environmentalists, government secretaries of various departments, Chief of army staff, Director General of forests, tourism etc.
• The board is advisory in nature and advises the GOI in conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
• As per the WLPA, every time a new government is formed, a new NBWL has to be constituted with the Prime Minister as the chairperson.
• The WLPA mandates that without the approval/recommendation of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of Protected Areas, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done.

Source: IE

2. Centre to train 5,000 cyber commandos in next five years: Shah

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in IT

Context:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the importance of cyber security in national security and announced plans to train and deploy around 5,000 cyber commandos across the country in the next five years to counter growing cyber threats.
• Trained cybercommandos will assist both state and central agencies in securing digital space.

Key Initiatives Launched:

• Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC): A platform aimed at addressing cyber fraud.
• Samanvay Platform: A Joint Cyber Crime Investigation Facility to enhance collaboration.
• Cyber Suspect Registry: A national database to track cybercrime suspects and share information between states.

Key terms:

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre’s (I4C):
  • Established under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to deal with cybercrime in the country in a coordinated and comprehensive manner.
  • Focuses on tackling issues related to cybercrime for citizens, including improving coordination between various Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and stakeholders.
  • Located in New Delhi.
  • Functions:
    • To act as a nodal point in the fight against cybercrime.
    • Identify the research problems and needs of LEAs and take up R&D activities in developing new technologies and forensic tools in collaboration with academia / research institutes within India and abroad.
    • To prevent misuse of cyberspace for furthering the cause of extremist and terrorist groups.
    • Suggest amendments, if required, in cyber laws to keep pace with fast changing technologies and international cooperation.
    • To coordinate all activities related to implementation of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT)with other countries related to cybercrimes in consultation with the concerned nodal authority in MHA.
  • Achievements of I4C:
    • National Helpline 1930: Promoted as a key tool for reporting cyber crimes.
    • 600+ Advisories Issued: I4C has blocked numerous websites, social media pages, mobile apps, and accounts linked to cybercriminals.
• Mule account:
  • A mule account is a bank account or financial account used to transfer illegally acquired money on behalf of others.
  • Purpose: These accounts are used to move money from one place to another, often across borders, to obscure the source of funds and make them appear legitimate.
  • How it works:
    • The account holder (the “mule”) allows their account to be used for receiving and transferring money.
    • They typically keep a small percentage of the transferred funds as payment.
    • The bulk of the money is then forwarded to another account as directed by the criminals.
  • Types of mules:
    • Unwitting mules: People tricked into believing they’re doing legitimate work.
    • Witting mules: Those who knowingly participate in the scheme.

Growth of Internet Usage in India:

• Rapid Increase in Internet Users: From 25 crore in 2014 to 95 crore in 2024.
  • In 2014, only 600 panchayats of the country were connected to the Internet, whereas 2,13,000 panchayats are connected with the Internet today.
• Data Consumption Surge: Average usage increased 78 times from 0.26 GB to 20.27 GB.
• Global Impact: 46% of the world’s digital transactions take place in India.

Source: TH

3. Everything about Polaris Dawn mission, which will attempt first private spacewalk

Sub : Sci

Sec: Space

Context:

• A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Florida on, carrying a four-member civilian crew into orbit to attempt the world’s first private spacewalk.

About Polaris Dawn mission:

• The five-day mission is the first of three missions under the Polaris Program, which will be jointly executed by Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
• The program aims to develop new technologies that could be used to send people to Mars

Mission objectives:

• Aim to reach ~1,400 km altitude, surpassing the 1966 NASA Gemini XI’s record of 1,372 km, the record for any crewed mission that was not headed to the Moon. At this height, the mission will be well into the inner band of the Van Allen radiation belts.
• Conduct research for better understanding the effects of spaceflight and space radiation on human health.
• Subsequently, the capsule would drop to a lower orbit for the rest of the mission, which includes a spacewalk scheduled for the third day of the mission.
  • For the spacewalk, all crew members will put on spacesuits and then, all of the air will be let out of the capsule.
  • The hatch will then be opened and the inside of the spacecraft will become part of the vacuum of outer space.
  • Only two crew members will leave the capsule for the spacewalk.
  • Once they return, the hatch will be closed and the capsule will be repressurised.
  • The spacewalk’s main aim is to test the spacesuits, developed by SpaceX for this mission. Known as EVA spacesuits, they are equipped with cameras and heads-up displays that display to astronauts information about the status of their suits outside their vehicle.
• During the mission, the crew will conduct 40 scientific experiments. This includes trying to obtain X-ray images without an X-ray machine, with the help of natural showers of radiation in space.Top of Form
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• The crew will also test laser-based communication provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellite This technique allows communication among satellites without relying on ground infrastructure to send signals.

What is a spacewalk?

• A spacewalk or an extravehicular activity (EVA) is a period of activity spent outside a spacecraft by an astronaut in space.
• The first-ever spacewalk was carried out in 1965, by Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. Leonov’s walk lasted 10 minutes.
• Today, spacewalks are usually done outside the International Space Station (ISS) and can last between five and eight hours.
• Spacewalks are done to carry out experiments, test new equipment and repair satellites or their spacecraft.

Safety measures:

• Safety tethers: To carry out a spacewalk, astronauts have to wear a spacesuit and use rope-like safety tethers to attach themselves to their spacecraft.
• SAFER (Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue): It is put on like a backpack, and consists of small jet thrusters to help an astronaut move around in space. SAFER is controlled by astronauts with a small

Van Allen radiation belts:

• The Van Allen radiation belt is a zone of energetic charged particles, most of which originate from the solar wind.
• The particles are captured by and held around by earth’s magnetic field.
• It is a region in space which begins at around 1,000 km altitude that encircle the Earth and are highly radioactive.
• The radiation poses a threat to astronauts travelling through the zone.

4. Understanding ovarian cancer: its causes, symptoms, and screening methods

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

• September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

About ovarian cancer:

• Ovarian cancer refers to any cancerous growth that begins in the ovaries, the organ that produce eggs in females.
• The cells multiply quickly and can invade and destroy healthy body tissue.

Subtypes of ovarian cancer:

• Type I tumours are less common, typically diagnosed at an early stage, and have a better prognosis.
• Type II tumours are more common, more aggressive, usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and are responsible for most deaths due to ovarian cancer.

Symptoms:

• Ovarian cancer presents vague symptoms such as bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, and an urgent or frequent need to urinate.
• Other signs include indigestion, constipation, back pain, persistent fatigue, weight loss etc.
• It is often called a “silent killer” because its symptoms are non-specific and are often mistaken for common ailments that lead to late diagnosis and a poor prognosis.

Causes:

• Genetic:
  • Ovarian cancer is the most heritable of all cancers.
  • 65-85% of hereditary ovarian cancer cases involve mutations in the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 genes.
  • Women with these mutations have a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian cancer – up to 50% for BRCA1 and around 15% for BRCA2.
• Endometriosis
  • Endometriosis, a condition where uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, has been linked to an increased risk of certain types of ovarian cancer.
• Lifestyle factors
  • Use of talcum powder had been linked to increased risk of cancer in the past due presence of asbestos, a carcinogen.
  • Some chemical hair products like hair straighteners release formaldehyde gas, a known carcinogen.
• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), commonly used to alleviate menopausal symptoms, has been linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Screening:

• The survival rate for patients with ovarian cancer depends on the stage of detection and access to appropriate treatment.
• There are no effective screening tests for ovarian cancer. The CA125 blood test is useful to monitor ovarian cancer after diagnosis, it is less effective at screening asymptomatic women as it can lead to false positives.
• Due to the absence of a reliable screening tool, awareness of risk factors and symptoms becomes crucial.

Genetic counselling:

• Genetic counselling is the process of helping people understand and adopt through the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
• For women with a family history of ovarian cancer, genetic counselling is a valuable tool.
• This process helps identify individuals at risk and provides tailored guidance on preventive measures and potential treatments.

Indian scenario:

• In India, ovarian cancer ranks among the top three cancers, contributing to 6% of all women’s cancers.
• In 2022, India reported 47,333 new ovarian cancer cases and 32,978 deaths.

5. SEBI’s Performance Review under Scrutiny by PAC Amid Allegations

Sub: Polity

Sec: Parliament

Why in News

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recently included the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in its agenda for a performance review. This review comes amid ongoing allegations by US-based Hindenburg Research against SEBI’s Chairperson, Madhabi Puri Buch, and her alleged conflict of interest. The PAC may summon Buch, which has drawn attention to the role of SEBI and the power of the PAC to review the performance of regulatory bodies.

Overview of the Situation: The PAC has included SEBI in its performance review agenda, sparking debates about the authority of the committee to scrutinize regulatory bodies without evidence of fund misuse. The committee has signalled its intent to summon SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch as part of this review, which follows allegations made by Hindenburg Research.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was first mentioned in the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms or the Government of India Act 1919 but formally came into existence in 1921. Its primary role is to oversee government expenditure, ensuring that funds are used appropriately and to identify any misuse, inefficiency, or waste.

Composition

Members: The committee consists of 22 members, with 15 elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.

Eligibility: Members cannot be ministers.

Election: Elected by Parliament through Proportional Representation using the Single Transferable Voting System (PRSTV). Members serve for one year before new elections.

Chairperson

Elected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among PAC members.

Traditionally, the Chairperson is from the opposition party, diverging from initial practice where it was from the ruling party.

Functions

Reviews the Central Government’s financial and appropriation accounts submitted to the Lok Sabha.

Scrutinizes audit reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to ensure legality and appropriateness of expenditures.

Examines the financial accounts of State Corporations, Trading Concerns, Manufacturing Units, and Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Bodies.

Monitors expenditures and prepares detailed reports on financial utilization.

Assistance: The CAG supports the PAC throughout the year in its activities.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Establishment and Purpose
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was established on April 12, 1992, under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992. It serves as the regulatory authority for the securities and commodity markets in India, operating under the Ministry of Finance.

History

Pre-SEBI Era: Before SEBI, the Controller of Capital Issues regulated the market, based on the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947.

1988: SEBI was initially constituted as a regulatory body for capital markets through a Government of India resolution.

1992: SEBI was granted statutory powers and became an autonomous body through the SEBI Act, 1992.

Headquarters and Regional Offices

Headquarters: Mumbai

Regional Offices: Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Delhi

Structure

Board: SEBI’s board includes a chairman and several full-time and part-time members.

Committees: SEBI appoints various committees to address specific issues as needed.

Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT): Established to handle grievances against SEBI’s decisions and protect the interests of aggrieved entities.

6. The Grave Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): A Growing Concern for India

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a pressing global health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its first-ever guidance on antibiotic pollution from manufacturing, just ahead of the September 26 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance. This issue is particularly alarming in India, where the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have escalated the rise of drug-resistant “superbugs.”

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

AMR occurs when microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) evolve and develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, etc.), rendering standard treatments ineffective.

Cause: Misuse and overuse of antibiotics, leading to the development of “superbugs.”

Impact: Persistent infections, increased treatment costs, and higher mortality rates due to untreatable infections.

Global Concern: WHO identifies AMR as a critical global health threat.

Key Factors Contributing to AMR in India

Overuse and Misuse of Antibiotics

In individuals: Many people in India consume antibiotics for viral infections such as influenza, where antibiotics have no effect. This irresponsible use contributes to resistance.

Empirical prescriptions: Many doctors prescribe antibiotics based on symptoms rather than diagnostic tests, leading to inappropriate antibiotic use.

Lack of Awareness and Hygiene Practices

Poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation lead to frequent infections, causing people to take antibiotics unnecessarily.

What Are Superbugs?

Superbugs are microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that have developed resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs, making standard treatments ineffective.

Common Example: Bacteria like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) are often referred to as superbugs.

How Do Superbugs Develop?

Natural Evolution: Superbugs develop resistance due to natural genetic mutations over time.

Antibiotic Misuse: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock accelerate the development of resistance.

Transmission: Superbugs can spread from person to person, through contaminated surfaces, or via the environment.

Common Drug-Resistant Pathogens in India

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the three most common pathogens showing resistance to antibiotics are:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Infections: Primarily causes gut infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis.

Resistance Trend: Carbapenem susceptibility dropped from 81.4% in 2017 to 62.7% in 2023.

Significance: Resistance makes treatment of common bacterial infections more difficult, especially in healthcare settings.

Klebsiella pneumoniae

Infections: Causes pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections.

Resistance Trend: Resistance to carbapenem reduced from 58.5% in 2017 to 35.6% in 2023.

Significance: A major cause of hospital-acquired infections, especially in patients with compromised immunity.

Acinetobacter baumannii

Infections: Linked to hospital-acquired infections, particularly in ICUs, causing ventilator-associated pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

Resistance Trend: 88% resistant to carbapenems as of 2023.

Significance: Highly resistant, posing severe treatment challenges in healthcare settings, especially for critically ill patients.

Key Measures to Address AMR

India’s Initiatives

National Programme on AMR Containment (2012): Strengthen surveillance networks and establish labs in state medical colleges to track AMR trends.

National Action Plan on AMR (2017): Adopt a One Health approach, involving various stakeholders like ministries and departments.

Antibiotic Stewardship Program (AMSP): Implemented by ICMR across hospitals in India to reduce misuse of antibiotics, especially in ICUs.

Ban on Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs): Drug Controller General of India prohibited 40 FDCs that were deemed inappropriate for use.

Global Initiatives

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW): Raise global awareness about AMR and promote best practices among healthcare workers, policymakers, and the public. Celebrated annually since 2015.

Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS): Launched by WHO in 2015 to track AMR trends and inform global strategies on antimicrobial use across humans, the food chain, and the environment.

7. India Advocates for Enhanced Disclosure Norms in Cross-Border Credit Card Transactions Under FATF

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Org

Why in News

India is pushing for new disclosure norms for cross-border credit card transactions under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). As FATF plans to update its global guidelines, an international consultative forum will be held in Mumbai in April 2025 to discuss these norms. India supports greater transparency while balancing industry concerns.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF): It is an inter-governmental body responsible for setting standards and policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing globally.

Objective: Establish global standards and promote policies to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, at both national and international levels.

Origins and Mandate

Established: 1989 at the G7 Summit in Paris to address money laundering.

Mandate Expansion: In 2001, FATF’s scope expanded to include combating terrorism financing.

Headquarters: Paris, France.

Membership

FATF consists of 40 members, including major countries like the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the European Union.

India’s Membership: India joined FATF in 2010.

FATF Grey List and Blacklist

Black List: Countries involved in terror financing and money laundering, categorized as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs), are placed on this list. The list is updated regularly.

Currently, North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar are on the blacklist.

Grey List: Countries with shortcomings in countering terror financing and money laundering are placed on the grey list as a warning of potential blacklisting.

Consequences of Being on the Blacklist

Countries on the blacklist are denied financial aid from global institutions like the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and EU. They face international financial sanctions and economic restrictions.

India’s Performance in FATF Evaluation

Out of 40 parameters examined by FATF, India received the highest rating in 37.

FATF Plenary Report: The plenary held in Singapore between June 26-28, 2024, recognized India’s “high level of technical compliance” with FATF standards.

“Regular Follow-Up” Category: India was placed in the “regular follow-up” category, a distinction shared with only four other G20 countries, including the UK, France, and Italy. Countries in this category are required to submit a follow-up report to FATF once every three years.

Proposed Changes to Cross-Border Credit Card Transactions

FATF’s Objective: FATF is working on new norms to enhance disclosures by financial institutions, payment aggregators, and fintech companies for cross-border credit card payments.

India’s Stand: India supports higher transparency in credit card transactions while ensuring that these regulations do not negatively impact the industry.

FATF’s Travel Rule Guidelines: These guidelines require financial institutions and virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to share data on cross-border transactions.

About Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP)

A Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP), as defined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), refers to businesses that perform any of the following activities for clients:

• Exchange of virtual assets with fiat currencies
• Exchange between different virtual assets
• Transfer of virtual assets
• Safekeeping or administration of virtual assets or tools for controlling them
• Providing financial services related to the offer or sale of virtual assets

This includes entities like crypto exchanges, ATM operators, wallet custodians, and hedge funds. FATF recommends that VASPs adhere to the same Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF), and Know Your Customer (KYC) standards as traditional financial institutions.