Daily Prelims Notes 16 December 2024
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Daily Prelims Notes
16 December 2024
Table Of Contents
- Potti Sriramulu was leader of Andhra people; driving force behind formation of linguistic states: Pawan Kalyan
- Sonowal unveils ‘Jalvahak’ scheme to boost cargo movement via inland waterways
- Three promising outcomes from the world’s first official summit to conserve and restore mangroves
- Three-day event in Delhi to celebrate poet Mirza Ghalib
- Israel to double population in occupied Golan Heights
- Jaishankar thanks Moldova for helping Indians during the Ukraine crisis
Sub : History
Sec: Freedom movement
- Indian revolutionary, Potti Sriramulu was born in 1901 to Guravayya and Mahalakshmamma in Padamatapalli, in a district that once a region within Nellore district. Later, their family shifted to Madras as famine conditions prevailed in this region.
- Sriramulu took part in the Indian Independence Movement and was imprisoned for participating in the 1930 Salt Satyagraha. Between 1941 and 1942, he participated in the individual satyagraha and the Quit India movement and was imprisoned on three occasions. He was a devout follower, avid supporter and devotee of Mahatma Gandhi. He also joined the Gandhi Ashram established by Yerneni Subrahmanyam, in Komaravolu.
- He undertook three fasts, during 1946-1948, in support of Dalit (a heterogenous group of oppressed Hindu castes then referred to by Gandhi and his supporters by the contentious, though well intentioned, term Harijan) rights to enter holy places, such as the temples of Nellore. He fasted in support of Dalit entry rights to the Venu Gopala Swamy Temple in Moolapeta, Nellore, rights which were eventually secured. He again fasted to receive favourable orders, passed by the Madras government, to further uplift the Dalit community.
- Commenting on Sriramulu’s dedication and fasting ability, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “If only I have eleven more followers like Sriramulu I will win freedom from British rule in a year.”
- The present-day district of Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore is named after him.
Fight for Andhra State:
- Potti Sriramulu is best known for his hunger strike demanding a separate state for Telugu-speaking people.
- His fast lasted for 58 days, ending with his death on December 15, 1952.
Impact of His Sacrifice:
- His death led to widespread protests and demonstrations.
- The Government of India formed the Andhra State in 1953, the first linguistic state in India, with Kurnool as its capital.
Legacy:
- Potti Sriramulu is remembered as a martyr and a symbol of selfless sacrifice.
- The state of Andhra Pradesh and subsequent linguistic states were influenced by his movement.
Commemoration:
- Honored with statues and institutions named after him in Andhra Pradesh.
- Considered a pivotal figure in India’s linguistic reorganization of states.
2. Sonowal unveils ‘Jalvahak’ scheme to boost cargo movement via inland waterways
Sub : Geo
Sec: Eco Geo
Context:
- ‘Jalvahak’ scheme was launched on December 15, 2024, by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
- It aims to boost long-haul cargo movement using inland waterways on National Waterways- NW 1 (Ganga), NW 2 (Brahmaputra), and NW 16 (Barak).
- It also seeks to decongest railways and roadways while promoting eco-friendly and economical transportation.
Key Features of the Jalvahak Scheme:
- Incentives for Waterway Transport:
- Reimbursement of up to 35% of the operating expenditure for transporting cargo via waterways on NW 1, NW 2, and NW 16.
- Encourages cargo owners to hire vessels operated by government entities.
- Target audience: Shipping companies, freight forwarders, and trade bodies handling bulk/containerized cargo.
- Fixed Day Scheduled Sailing Service:
- Regular freight services ensure timely cargo delivery.
- Routes and schedules:
- NW 1: Kolkata–Patna–Varanasi–Patna–Kolkata.
- NW 2 (via IBPR): Kolkata–Pandu (Guwahati).
- Transit times:
- Kolkata to Patna: 7 days.
- Patna to Varanasi: 5 days.
- Kolkata to Varanasi: 14 days.
- Kolkata to Pandu: 18 days;
- Pandu to Kolkata: 15 days.
- Pilot Shipments under the Scheme:
- MV Trishul: 1,500 tonnes of cement from Kolkata to Pandu (via IBPR).
- MV Aai: 1,000 tonnes of gypsum to Patna.
- MV Homi Bhaba: 200 tonnes of coal to Varanasi.
- Validity: The scheme is initially valid for a period of three years.
Economic and Environmental Benefits:
- Cost Reduction: Incentivizes cargo movement over 300 km, aiming to lower logistics costs.
- Environmental Impact: Reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainable transport.
- Economic Growth: Unlocks value in the Blue Economy by utilizing under-tapped waterway resources.
Progress and Goals:
- Growth in Cargo Movement:
- Increased from 18.07 million MT (2013-14) to 132.89 million MT (2023-24) (700% growth).
- Target: 200 million MT by 2030 and 500 million MT by 2047.
- Modal Shift Target:
- Aims to shift 800 million tonne-kilometers of cargo by 2027, with ₹95.4 crore investment.
Inland Waterways in India:
- India has an extensive network of inland waterways comprising rivers, canals, backwaters, and creeks, which are a vital yet underutilized mode of transportation. These waterways offer immense potential for eco-friendly and cost-effective cargo and passenger movement.
Key Features of Inland Waterways in India:
- Total Navigable Length:
- 20,236 km of navigable waterways.
- 17,980 km of rivers.
- 2,256 km of canals suitable for mechanized crafts.
- 20,236 km of navigable waterways.
- National Waterways (NWs):
- 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs) under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
- Key operational NWs:
- NW 1: River Ganga (Allahabad to Haldia – 1,620 km).
- NW 2: River Brahmaputra (Dhubri to Sadiya – 891 km).
- NW 3: West Coast Canal (Kollam to Kottapuram – 205 km).
- NW 4: Godavari and Krishna rivers along with canals (Kakinada to Puducherry – 1,095 km).
- NW 5: Brahmani and Mahanadi rivers and East Coast Canal (588 km).
- Management Authority:
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), established in 1986, oversees development and regulation.
Government Initiatives:
- National Waterways Act, 2016:
- Declared 111 waterways as National Waterways to enhance development.
- Sagarmala Project:
- Focus on port-led development, including inland water transport as a priority.
- Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP):
- Development of NW 1 (Ganga) between Varanasi and Haldia with financial assistance from the World Bank.
- Jalvahak Scheme (2024):
- Introduced incentives to promote cargo movement on NW 1, NW 2, and NW 16.
- Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR):
- Enhances connectivity between India and Bangladesh through shared waterways.
3. Three promising outcomes from the world’s first official summit to conserve and restore mangroves
Sub: Env
Sec: Int conventions
Mangrove Conservation Conference: Key insights-
- Proven Strategies for Restoration:
- Mass planting often fails; a seascape and landscape approach is more effective.
- Linking mangroves with seagrasses, corals, and rivers enhances ecological and socioeconomic benefits.
- Community-led restoration is critical for long-term success.
- Using the right species in the right locations supports natural regeneration, creating resilient mangrove forests.
- The Role of Sustainable Finance:
- The initiative aims to raise $4 billion in sustainable funding for conservation and restoration.
- Challenges:
- Investors prioritize large, fast-return projects, which mismatches with the longer timelines needed for mangrove restoration.
- Community-led projects often face funding bottlenecks and unfair financial pressure.
Blue Carbon:
- Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured and stored by oceanic and coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
- These ecosystems are crucial for mitigating climate change due to their ability to sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and store it in biomass and sediments.
Mangroves:
- Mangroves are salt-tolerant forests found along tropical and subtropical coastlines. They grow in intertidal zones, where land meets the sea, and are uniquely adapted to thrive in saline, waterlogged conditions. These ecosystems are critical for ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and human livelihoods.
Importance of Mangroves:
- Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves store up to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests, helping mitigate climate change.
- Coastal Protection: They buffer coastal areas against erosion, tropical storms, and tsunamis, reducing damage to communities and infrastructure.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: Home to diverse species of fish, crabs, mollusks, and migratory birds, contributing to marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
- Livelihood Support: Provide resources like fish, timber, and honey, supporting millions of coastal livelihoods globally.
- Water Quality Improvement: Mangroves filter pollutants and sediments, improving coastal water quality.
Global Status of Mangroves:
- Area Coverage: Mangroves occupy an estimated 14.8 million hectares worldwide, spanning 123 countries and territories.
- Top Mangrove-Holding Countries: Indonesia, Brazil, Australia, and Nigeria.
- Mangrove Loss:
- Over 1 million hectares of mangroves have been lost since 1996.
- Deforestation, aquaculture, agriculture, urbanization, and climate change are primary threats.
- Restoration Potential:
- Approximately 70% of lost mangroves are restorable, but mature forests are irreplaceable.
Key Global Conservation Initiatives:
- Global Mangrove Alliance:
- Launch at the World Ocean Summit in 2018.
- A multi-stakeholder coalition focused on halting mangrove loss, restoring degraded areas, and doubling conservation coverage.
- In 2022, the GMA revised its Goal, an ambitious plan for turning the tables on the world’s mangroves. The plan contains three critical strands to be achieved by 2030: Halt loss, Restore half, Double protection.
- Mangrove Breakthrough Initiative:
- Aims to raise $4 billion in sustainable financing, stop human-driven mangrove loss, and restore half of recently lost mangroves.
- A global strategy led by the Global Mangrove Alliance.
Three primary goals:
- Stop human-driven mangrove loss.
- Double the area of mangroves under effective conservation.
- Restore half of the recently lost mangroves.
- Global Mangrove Watch:
- Provides open-access remote sensing data for mapping mangroves and planning restoration.
Mangroves in India:
- Area Coverage:
India has 4,992 square kilometres of mangroves, about 3.3% of the world’s total mangrove area.- Top Mangrove States in India: West Bengal: Largest area, dominated by the Sundarbans mangroves (43% of India’s total), Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra
Conservation Efforts in India:
- Policy Framework:
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification: Protects mangroves from destructive activities.
- National Mangrove Committee: Advises on conservation and management.
- Afforestation and Restoration:
- Community participation in mangrove planting and natural regeneration, especially in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
- International Initiatives:
- India is part of the Global Mangrove Alliance and other global conservation efforts.
4. Three-day event in Delhi to celebrate poet Mirza Ghalib
Sub: History
Sec: Medieval India
Context:
- The Delhi government organized a three-day event titled ‘Remembering Ghalib’ to commemorate the birth anniversary of poet Mirza Ghalib.
- The event, hosted by the Sahitya Kala Parishad under the Art and Culture Department, began with a candlelight march from Chandni Chowk’s Town Hall to Ghalib’s haveli in Ballimaran.
About Mirza Ghalib:
- Mirza Ghalib, born as Mirza Asadullah Khan on December 27, 1797, in Agra, India, was one of the most celebrated poets of Urdu and Persian literature.
- He passed away on February 15, 1869, in Delhi and is buried near Nizamuddin Auliya’s tomb.
- His residence in Ballimaran, Delhi, is now a museum and memorial.
Literary Contributions:
- Ghalib wrote extensively in Urdu and Persian, with over 11,000 Persian verses and around 1,700 Urdu couplets.
- He revolutionized the ghazal by moving beyond traditional themes of love and sorrow, addressing philosophy, existentialism, and human struggles.
- Ghalib also revolutionized Urdu prose through his informal and conversational letters, which showcased his sharp intellect and unique perspective on life.
Association with Mughal Court:
- Served as the royal historian under Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and mentored him in poetry.
- He witnessed the decline of the Mughal Empire and the aftermath of the 1857 revolt, which shaped his worldview and poetry.
- Ghalib experienced the transition from Mughal rule to British dominance in India, reflecting the socio-political changes of the time in his works.
5. Israel to double population in occupied Golan Heights
Sub : IR
Sec: Places in news
Context:
- Israel announced plans to double its population in the occupied Golan Heights, citing ongoing security threats from Syria.
About Golan Heights:
- The Golan Heights, or simply the Golan, is a basaltic plateau at the southwest corner of Syria.
- Golan Heights shares a border with Jordan and Lebanon.
- It is bordered by the Yarmouk River in the south, the Sea of Galilee and Hula Valley in the west, the Anti-Lebanon mountains with Mount Hermon in the north and Wadi Raqqad in the east.
- The plateau offers strategic advantage to Israel.
Israeli annexation:
- Israel captured the area from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981, a move recognized by the US under former President Donald Trump in 2019.
- Most countries do not acknowledge the annexation, and Syria continues to demand Israel’s withdrawal.
- It’s considered occupied territory under international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
6. Jaishankar thanks Moldova for helping Indians during the Ukraine crisis
Sub: IR
Sec: Places in news
Context:
- India expressed gratitude to Moldova for its support during Operation Ganga in February 2022, which helped evacuate around 20,000 Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed this appreciation during the official inauguration of the Embassy of Moldova in New Delhi. India plans to establish its embassy in Moldova soon.
About Moldova:
- Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans.
- Moldova borders two countries: Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south.
- Moldova became an independent republic after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
