Daily Prelims Notes 18 June 2023

June 18, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

18 June 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack experience cooler days, warmer nights

Subject :Geography

Section: Physical (Climatology)

Context:

A recent study by researchers from the School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar has found that increased urbanisation of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has led to increased land surface temperature in the last 20 years (2001-2020).

Details:

While there has been an increase in relatively cooler regions over Bhubaneswar and Cuttack during the daytime, the reverse is seen during nighttime.
However, during the night, both cities have been witnessing increased urban heat island effects.
- There has been a clear increase in nighttime temperature leading to 0.75 degree C surface urban heat island intensity (SUHI) during the night in Bhubaneswar and 1.22 degree C increase in SUHI for Cuttack.
As a result, there has been a reduced daytime and nighttime temperature difference.

Study findings:

The urban areas of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are about 0.75 degree C and 1.22 degree C warmer than the surrounding rural areas, respectively.
Overall, the daytime land surface temperature for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack was over 32 degrees C.
The increase in relatively cooler regions during the daytime has been from 27% and 40% (2001-2010) to 73% and 63% (2011-2020) in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, respectively.
- This can be attributed to an almost 2.7 and 1.6 times increase in the cooler fractional land cover during the daytime in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, respectively.
Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are not the only cities that witnessed a drop in daytime land surface temperature.
Reason for deviation in the daytime and nighttime temperature:
- It is not clear why there is a decline in daytime land surface temperature.
- They may be due to an increase in clouds, increased air pollution/haziness, increased vegetation or any other things.
- The warming during nighttime is only affected by heat emitted by the surface.
- Urban areas due to their ability to trap heat emit them slowly leading to a warming pattern above cities.
- The unique geographic location of Cuttack, surrounded by rivers which dries up during pre-monsoon and winter months, exposes the sand beds (creating a desert city-like condition) leading to this phenomenon with more warming in the surrounding regions.

Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI):

Urban heat islands (UHI) occur when cities replace the natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat.
This effect increases energy costs associated with cooling and air-conditioning, air pollution levels, and heat-related illness and mortality.

2. What is the India and U.S. initiative on future tech?

Subject :International Relations

Section: India and major power

What is iCET?

First announced in May 2022, alongside the QUAD meeting in Tokyo, Japan.
The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) is a framework agreed upon by India and the U.S. for cooperation on critical and emerging technologies in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors and wireless telecommunication.

Focus areas of the initiative:

The iCET seeks to position New Delhi and Washington D.C. as “trusted technology partners” to build supply chains and support the co-production and co-development of items.
Key takeaways:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)I;
- Developing a new defence industrial cooperation roadmap to accelerate technological cooperation for joint development and production;
- Developing common standards in AI;
- Developing a roadmap to accelerate defence technological cooperation and ‘innovation bridge’ to connect defence startups;
- Supporting the development of a semiconductor ecosystem;
- Strengthening cooperation on human spaceflight;
- Advancing cooperation on development in 5G and 6G; and
- Adopting Open RAN network technology in India.

Other areas of cooperation between India and USA:

The two countries are close to concluding a mega jet engine deal.
A new initiative to advance cutting-edge technology cooperation, known as the India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), is set to be launched.
India and the U.S. have also concluded a roadmap for ‘Defence Industrial Cooperation’ to guide the policy direction.
Establishment of a Strategic Trade Dialogue to remove regulatory “barriers” and review existing export control norms.

What is Open RAN?

Open Radio Access Network, or Open RAN, is a key part of a mobile network system that uses cellular radio connections to link individual devices to other parts of a network.
It comprises antennae, which transmits and receives signals to and from our smartphones or other compatible devices. The signal is then digitised in the RAN-base station and connected to the network.
O-RAN uses software to make hardware manufactured by different companies work together.

Advantages of Open-RAN:

An open environment expands the ecosystem and provides more Options to the Operators.
It will boost new opportunities for Indian entities to enter into the network equipment market.
It is expected to make 5G more flexible and cost-efficient.
The Open RAN architecture allows for the separation or disaggregation, between hardware and software with open interfaces.

3. Overfishing is driving coral reef sharks toward extinction

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

Five of the most common shark species living in coral reefs have declined 60% to 73%, according to a massive global study by Colin Simpfendorfer and colleagues.
The research is a result of a worldwide collaboration called the Global FinPrint project and was funded by the family foundation of Microsoft co-founder and ocean enthusiast Paul G. Allen.

Details of the study:

Some individual shark species were not found at 34% to 47% of the reefs in the survey.
- The likely cause is overfishing, which has removed both the sharks themselves and the prey they depend on.
As shark numbers decline, ray species are increasing on the reefs, suggesting a shift in the top elasmobranch species in the communities.
391 coral reefs in 67 nations and territories using 22,756 remote underwater video stations.
- They show that shark-dominated reefs persist in wealthy, well-governed nations and in protected marine sanctuaries.
- In areas of poverty and limited governance, rays dominate the reef communities.
The estimated declines of these resident reef shark species meet the IUCN Red List criteria for Endangered status.
As the top predators of the reef and indicator species for marine ecosystems, they help maintain the delicate balance of marine life in reef environments. Reef sharks are highly valued for their meat, leather, liver oil, and fishmeal, which make them prone to overfishing and targeting. Yet, their importance for the tourism industry makes them more valuable alive than dead. In 2011, Honduras declared its waters to be a permanent sanctuary for sharks, making fishing for these species completely forbidden.
It focused on five key species of reef sharks — the Caribbean reef shark, nurse shark, grey reef shark, blacktip reef shark and whitetip reef shark — by collecting and analysing 22,000 hours of video footage.
The study showed that the five species would qualify as endangered on The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN is the global authority on nature conservation.

4. Light Pollution and Impact of Light Pollution

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Light Pollution:

Light pollution can be defined as the introduction by humans, directly or indirectly, of artificial light into the environment.
Avoidable light pollution refers to light flow emitted at night by artificial light sources which are inappropriate in intensity, direction and/or spectral range, unnecessary to carry out the function they are intended for, or when artificial lighting is used in particular sites, such as observatories, natural areas or sensitive landscapes.

Types of Light pollution:

Light trespass: When unwanted light enters one’s property, for instance, by shining over a neighbour’s fence.
Over-illumination: It is the excessive use of light.
Glare: Glare is often the result of excessive contrast between bright and dark areas in the field of view.
1. Blind glare: describes effects such as that caused by staring into the Sun. It is completely blinding and leaves temporary or permanent vision deficiencies.
2. Disability glare: describes effects such as being blinded by an oncoming cars lights, or light scattering in fog or in the eye reduces contrast, as well as reflections from print and other dark areas that render them bright, with significant reduction in sight capabilities.
3. Discomfort glare: does not typically cause a dangerous situation in itself, and is annoying and irritating at best. It can potentially cause fatigue if experienced over extended periods.
Clutter: Clutter refers to excessive groupings of lights. Groupings of lights may generate confusion, distract from obstacles (including those that they may be intended to illuminate), and potentially cause accidents. Clutter is particularly noticeable on roads where the street lights are badly designed, or where brightly lit advertising surrounds the roadways.
Skyglow: refers to the “glow” effect that can be seen over populated areas.

It is the combination of all light reflected from what it has illuminated escaping up into the sky and from all of the badly directed light in that area that also escapes into the sky, being scattered (redirected) by the atmosphere back toward the ground.

Impact of light pollution:

Wastes Energy and Money:
- Lighting that emits too much light or shines when and where it’s not needed is wasteful. Wasting energy has huge economic and environmental consequences.
Disrupting the ecosystem and wildlife:
- Plants and animals depend on Earth’s daily cycle of light and dark rhythm to govern life-sustaining behaviours such as reproduction, nourishment, sleep and protection from predators.
- Scientific evidence suggests that artificial light at night has negative and deadly effects on many creatures including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects and plants.
  - Ex: A study has now shown how nocturnal dung beetles are forced to search for cues in their immediate surroundings when they can no longer navigate using natural light from the night sky.
  - The effect of light in the form of fire or lamps attracting migratory and non-migratory birds at night, especially when foggy or cloudy, has been known since the 19th century and was and still is used as a form of hunting. The reasons for disorientation of birds through artificial night lighting are not well known. Experts suggest that the navigation of birds using the horizon as orientation for the direction is disrupted by lighting and sky glow.
Harming human health:
- Like most life on Earth, humans adhere to a Circadian Rhythm — our biological clock — a sleep-wake pattern governed by the day-night cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt that cycle.

Reduction of Light Pollution

Reducing light pollution implies many things, such as reducing sky glow, reducing glare, reducing light trespass, and reducing clutter.
The method for best reducing light pollution, therefore, depends on exactly what the problem is in any given instance. Possible solutions include:

Utilizing light sources of minimum intensity necessary to accomplish the light’s purpose.
Turning lights off using a timer or occupancy sensor or manually when not needed.
Improving lighting fixtures, so that they direct their light more accurately towards where it is needed, and with less side effects.
Adjusting the type of lights used, so that the light waves emitted are those that are less likely to cause severe light pollution problems.
Evaluating existing lighting plans, and re-designing some or all of the plans depending on whether existing light is actually needed.

Recommendations

Light only where needed
Don’t overlight
Don’t waste light
Shine light downwards, using shields and reflectors
Light only when needed – use sensors where possible
Light with energy efficient sources such as LED’s and compact fluorescents.
Much more research is needed on the effects of light pollution
Public and government awareness shall be intensified in view of the value of protection, avoidance and decrease of light pollution. Public opinion would need to be shifted regarding light trespass and “second hand” light, the wastefulness of excessive night lighting and the importance of using the right lighting for the right situation.
Legislation needs to be developed to support and require dark sky-friendly lighting through by-laws, modified engineering standards and building codes.

5. How can India tackle its diabetes burden?

Subject : Science and technology

Section :Health

Concept :

A study was published in The Lancet regarding a long term study on metabolic factors in the Indian subcontinent.
Launched in 2008, It was the largest long term study to estimate the country’s Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD).
Conducted over five phases between 2008 and 2020 across the whole country (except for some of the islands and Union Territories), 1.24 lakh individuals were part of this survey.

Key findings of the report:

According to the report, about 11% (101.3 million) of the country’s population is diabetic and 15.3 % (136 million) is in the prediabetic stage.
The researchers found that the conversion from prediabetes to diabetes is faster in India.
Urban India accounts for 16.4% of the cases of diabetes, while in the rural population the prevalence is 8.9%.
The study also shows that diabetes has become as common in 2-3 tier cities as it is in the metro cities.
Cases are surprisingly high even in the states like Kerala, Sikkim and Tripura- where socio-economic conditions are relatively better.

What does this study mean?

The results of the study should be taken as a warning and the first thing that needs to be done is to save the people from diabetes who are already in the prediabetic stage.
About 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to it each year.
It is said that prevention is better than cure, so awareness campaigns should be run to focus on using lifestyle modifications, maintaining a healthy diet and getting sufficient exercise.Periodic check-ups should be promoted.
In rural areas, where the prevalence is still low, the aim should be to keep it in control.

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic issue that can lead to complications like cardiovascular diseases, kidney disease, neuropathy, blindness etc. Hence it becomes crucial to keep it away.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease of high blood sugar (glucose) levels that result from problems with insulin secretion, its action, or both. Normally, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by a hormone produced by the pancreas known as insulin. When blood glucose levels rise (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level.

Type 1 diabetes:

An absolute lack of insulin, usually due to destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, is the main problem in type 1 diabetes.
It is to be due to an autoimmune process, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly targets its own tissues (islet cells in the pancreas. This tendency for the immune system to destroy the beta cells of the pancreas is likely to be, at least in part, genetically inherited, although the exact reasons that this process happens are not fully understood.

Type 2 diabetes:

People who have type 2 diabetes can still produce insulin, but do so relatively inadequately for their body’s needs.
Genetics plays a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, and having a family history and close relatives with the condition increases your risk; however, there are other risk factors, with obesity being the most significant.

6. Monkeypox outbreaks in Asia Pacific region

Subject: Science and technology

Section :Health

Concept :

Recently, there has been an increase in reported cases of Monkeypox from some countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Region.

About Monkeypox:

It is a viral disease that primarily spread to the human population through zoonotic spillovers, with rodents and primates serving as potential reservoirs.
The first case in humans was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Transmission: It can be transmitted between humans through close contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids or lesions.
Incubation period: The incubation period (the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.
Symptoms: Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, Fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes which may lead to a range of medical complications.
There is no effective vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.

7. Multiple spaceflight with shorter recovery time affects brain

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Space technology

Concept :

A recent research published in Scientific Reports reveals that spaceflight experiences, especially longer missions and shorter breaks between missions, can cause changes in the fluid levels in the brain. These changes might not go back to normal before the next spaceflight.
The study found that the ventricles, which are spaces in the brain filled with cerebrospinal fluid, expand more as the length of space missions increases, especially up to six months.
Additionally, if there is less than a three-year gap between missions, it may not be enough time for the ventricles to fully recover.
It is unclear if these changes differ with varying mission duration or number of previous spaceflight missions.

Ventricles of the Brain

The ventricular system is a set of communicating cavities within the brain. These structures are responsible for the production, transport and removal of cerebrospinal fluid, which bathes the central nervous system.
The ventricles are structures that produce cerebrospinal fluid, and transport it around the cranial cavity. They are lined by ependymal cells, which form a structure called the choroid plexus. It is within the choroid plexus that CSF is produced.
Embryologically, the ventricular system is derived from the lumen of the neural tube.
In total, there are four ventricles; right and left lateral ventricles, third ventricle and fourth ventricle.

8. 41 killed in Ugandan school attack

Subject : International relations

Section: Places in news

Concept :

Ugandan authorities recovered the bodies of 41 people, including 38 students, who were burned, shot or hacked to death after suspected rebels attacked a secondary school near the border with Congo, the local mayor said Saturday.
At least six people were abducted by the rebels, who fled across the porous border into Congo after the raid on Friday night, according to the Ugandan military.

About Uganda

Uganda is bordered on the west by Congo, on the north by the Sudan, on the east by Kenya, and on the south by Tanzania and Rwanda.
Numerous lakes dot the landscape, with Lake Kivu making up most of Rwanda’s western border. Lake Kivu is one of the 20 deepest lakes in the world, and has a maximum depth of 1,575 ft.
Four of East Africa’s Great Lakes – Lake Victoria (second largest inland freshwater lake in the world), Lake Kyoga, Lake Albert, and Lake Edward lie within Uganda or on its borders.
Note : The equator passes through the African countries of Gabon, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. It also passes through Lake Victoria.

9. Bengal SEC moves SC against HC order on CAPF deployment

Subject : Polity

Section :Local Government

Concept :

West Bengal’s State Election Commission (SEC) moved the Supreme Court Saturday against Calcutta High Court’s order for deployment of central forces in panchayat polls.
The development came two days after the high court directed the SEC to deploy central forces within 48 hours in all districts of the state.
The verdict came in the backdrop of incidents of violence across the state in the run-up to the panchayat polls.

State Election Commission:

The Constitution of India vests in the State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats and the Municipalities (Articles 243K, 243ZA).
The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor.
As per article 243(C3) the Governor, when so requested by the State Election Commission, make available to the State Election Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of the functions conferred on the SEC.

Do ECI and SECs have similar powers?

The provisions of Article 243K of the Constitution, which provides for setting up of SECs, are almost identical to those of Article 324 related to the EC. In other words, the SECs enjoy the same status as the EC.
In Kishan Singh Tomar vs Municipal Corporation of the City of Ahmedabad case, the Supreme Court directed that state governments should abide by orders of the SECs during the conduct of the panchayat and municipal elections, just like they follow the instructions of the EC during Assembly and Parliament polls.

Judicial Intervention

Courts cannot interfere in the conduct of polls to local bodies and self-government institutions once the electoral process has been set in motion.
Article 243-O of the Constitution bars interference in poll matters set in motion by the SECs; Article 329 bars interference in such matters set in motion by the EC.
Only after the polls are over can the SECs’ decisions or conduct be questioned through an election petition.
These powers enjoyed by the SECs are the same as those by the EC.

10. Fight for land and identity

Subject : Geography

Section: Human Geography

Concept :

Kukis – the hill tribe’s traditional migratory patterns and engagement in shifting agriculture have played out in conflicts within Manipur’s complex hill-valley divide.

Kuki Tribe

It is one of the ethnic groups that inhabit the northeastern regions of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
They are mainly found in the states of Manipur and Mizoram in India, Chin State in Myanmar, and Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.
They are also known as Chin or Mizo people, and they share a common ancestry and culture.
They are part of the larger Zo people, along with the Chin and Mizo tribes.
The Kuki tribe has a rich and diverse history, culture and tradition that reflect their adaptation to the hilly and forested terrain they live in.
They speak various dialects of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo language family, which belong to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages.

Challenges

The Kuki tribe has a long history of migration and settlement in different parts of South Asia.
The Kuki tribe has faced many challenges and conflicts in their history, such as the Kuki Rebellion (1917-1919) against British rule, the Kuki-Naga clashes (1960s-1990s) over land and identity issues, and the Kuki-Zomi ethnic violence (1997-1998) that resulted in displacement and loss of lives.

Political structure

The Kuki tribe has a unique social and political structure that is based on clans, villages and chiefs.
The clan is the basic unit of kinship and identity, and it is traced through the paternal line.
The village is the primary unit of administration and governance, and it is headed by a hereditary chief who has executive, judicial and religious authority.
The chief also owns all the land and resources of the village, and he distributes them among his subjects according to their needs and merits.

Living style

The Kuki tribe follows a traditional way of life that is closely connected to nature and their environment.
They practice jhum or shifting cultivation, where they clear patches of forest land by burning and growing crops such as rice, maize, millet, etc.
They also hunt wild animals and collect forest products for their subsistence and trade.

Culture

They celebrate various festivals throughout the year to mark important occasions such as harvests, seasons, births, deaths, marriages, etc.
Some of the major festivals are Kut (post-harvest festival), Chavang Kut (autumn festival), Mim Kut (maize festival),
They perform various dances such as Lamkut (group dance), Chongloi (sword dance), Pheiphit (war dance), etc.
They play musical instruments such as khuang (drum), gong (cymbal), tangkul (flute), etc.

Social Structure

The Kuki people have a hierarchical social structure based on clans and lineages. Each clan has its name and emblem and traces its origin to a common ancestor.
The clans are further divided into sub-clans and lineages. The clan system regulates marriage alliances, inheritance rights and social obligations among the Kuki people.
The Kuki society is also patriarchal and patrilineal, which means that descent and inheritance are traced through the male line. The eldest son inherits his father’s property and status, while the youngest son stays with his parents and takes care of them.
The Kuki villages are usually small and autonomous, each ruled by its chief or headman.

Religion

The Kuki people have a varied religious backgrounds, as they have been influenced by different faiths over time. Traditionally, the Kuki people followed animism, which is a belief in the existence of spirits in nature and ancestors.
They also practised rituals such as animal sacrifices, ancestor worship and festivals to appease their gods and spirits.
With the arrival of Christian missionaries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Kuki people converted to Christianity, especially Protestantism.
Today, Christianity is the predominant religion among the Kuki people, with some significant minorities following animism or other faiths such as Judaism or Islam.

11. Air strikes hit Sudanese capital, killing 17 persons including 5 children

Subject : International Relations

Section: Places in news

Concept :

The Khartoum health ministry confirmed a report by local volunteers on Saturday that 17 people including five children were killed in the Mayo area of southern Khartoum and 25 homes destroyed.

Places in news:

Omdurman is a major city in Sudan. It is the most populous city in the country, and thus also in the State of Khartoum.
Omdurman lies on the west bank of the River Nile, opposite and northwest of the capital city of Khartoum. It is on the Nile river and acts as an important road hub, with the Nile boosting transportation even further.
Sharg En Nile is a district of Khartoum state, Sudan.
Geneina is a city in West Darfur, part of dar Masalit region, that joined British Sudan at the end of 1919 through the Gilani agreement signed between the Masalit Sultanate and the United Kingdom, according to which it became a territory.
It is now the capital of the Sudanese state of West Darfur.
Khartoum is the executive capital of Sudan, located just south of the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers.