Daily Prelims Notes 18 June 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

18 June 2024

1. Cancel green nod given to Great Nicobar project: Cong.

Sub: Environment

Sec: Protected Area

About the Great Nicobar Development project

• Project Area: 130 sq. km. of pristine forest
• A “greenfield city” has been proposed, including
• An International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT),
• A greenfield international airport,
• A power plant, and
• A township for the personnel who will implement the project.
• A total 166.1 sq km along the island’s southeastern and southern coasts have been identified for project along a coastal strip of width between 2 km and 4 km.
• Some 130 sq km of forests have been sanctioned for diversion, and 9.64 lakh trees are likely to be felled.
• The port will be controlled by the Indian Navy, while the airport will have dual military-civilian functions and will cater to tourism as well.
• Roads, public transport, water supply and waste management facilities, and several hotels have been planned to cater to tourists.

Environmental and Legal Issues

• Environmental Concerns:
  • Potential destruction of pristine rainforest
  • The project is located in an earthquake-prone zone
  • Permanent subsidence during the 2004 tsunami
  • Cutting down of 9.6 lakh trees, with compensatory afforestation planned in Haryana
• Impact on Indigenous Tribes:
  • Threat to the survival and well-being of the Shompen, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)
  • Alleged violations of tribal rights and inadequate consultation with the Tribal Council

Legal and Administrative Actions

• Environmental Clearance: Granted by an expert committee, despite concerns
• National Green Tribunal (NGT):
  • Legal challenge leading to the formation of an expert committee
  • Investigation led by the Secretary of the Environment Ministry; results not yet public
• Classified Project: Details withheld from the public portal by Ministry of Home Affairs, citing “strategic importance”

Great Nicobar:

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago.
• It covers 1,03,870 hectares of unique and threatened tropical evergreen forest ecosystems.
• It is home to a very rich ecosystem, including 650 species of angiosperms, ferns, gymnosperms, and bryophytes, among others.
• In terms of fauna, there are over 1800 species, some of which are endemic to this area.
• Ecological Characteristics:
  • The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve harbours a wide spectrum of ecosystems comprising tropical wet evergreen forests, mountain ranges reaching a height of 642 m (Mt. Thullier) above sea level, and coastal plains.
• Tribe:
  • The Mongoloid Shompen Tribe, about 200 in number, live in the forests of the biosphere reserve, particularly along the rivers and streams.
  • They are hunters and food gatherers, dependent on forest and marine resources for sustenance.
  • Another Mongoloid Tribe, Nicobarese, about 300 in number, used to live in settlements along the west coast.
  • After the tsunami in 2004, which devastated their settlement on the western coast, they were relocated to Afra Bay in the North Coast and Campbell Bay.

Source: TH

2. The last continent must remain a pristine wilderness

Sub: Geography

Sec: Mapping

Context:

46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46):

• Held at: Kochi, Kerala
• Focus: Antarctic tourism and regulatory framework
• Outcome: No definitive solution; highlighted the complexity of managing tourism in a changing environment.
• ATCM-46 Developments:
  • Recognized the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework but failed to reach a consensus.
  • A new working group was established to develop regulations over the next year.

Growth of Antarctic Tourism:

• Tourist Numbers: Surged from a few thousand in the early 1990s to over 1,00,000 in the 2022-23 season. Estimated 1,18,089 tourists in 2023-2024 by IAATO.
• Tourist Demographics: The United States and China account for over 40% of tourists.
• Tourist Activities: Multi-day expeditions on ships, larger cruises, fly-sail operations, wildlife observation, photography, mountain climbing, and skiing.
• Benefits:
  • Educational opportunities and Economic benefits
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Disruption of wildlife, Damage to fragile ecosystems, Introduction of invasive species, Ship traffic pollution, Increased carbon footprint, Climate change effects

Regulatory Framework Issues

• Existing Framework:
  • Antarctic Treaty (1961): Prioritizes peaceful use and scientific research.
  • Madrid Protocol: Broad environmental guidelines, lacks specific tourism regulations.
• Current Management: Largely self-regulated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
  • IAATO is an international organization comprised of more than 100 respected companies and organizations from across the world.
  • Their mission is to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector tourism to the Antarctic.

India’s Position and Actions:

• ATCM 44 (2022): Raised concerns about tourism’s impact on research, conservation, and the environment.
• Resolution 5 (2022): Advised against building tourism-related structures with significant environmental impacts.
• India’s Actions: Enacted its own Antarctic Law in 2022 despite lack of international consensus.

About Antarctic Treaty

• It is an international agreement that governs activities in Antarctica. It was signed on December 1, 1959, and entered into force on June 23, 1961.
• Purpose: The treaty designates Antarctica as a scientific preserve and ensures that it remains exclusively for peaceful purposes.
• Principles: The Antarctic Treaty designates Antarctica as a neutral, demilitarized zone to be used solely for peaceful purposes.
• Signatories: It was initially signed by 12 countries. It now includes 56 countries, with India joining in 1983.
• Key Provisions:
  • Antarctica is strictly for peaceful activities; military activities, including fortification and weapon testing, are prohibited.
  • All activities, especially scientific research, are to be conducted freely with cooperation and data sharing among signatory nations.
  • Nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste are forbidden.

About the India’s Antarctica Act of 2022:

• It is the first domestic legislation with regard to Antarctica in India.
• It seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
• The Act now puts into place a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica, for such scientific expeditions, as well as for individuals, companies and tourists
• The Act prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provides for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.
• It also seeks to constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and the protection of the environment of the icy continent.
• The Antarctic Act extends the jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica, for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, or foreign citizens who are a part of Indian expeditions.
• The Act prohibits an extensive list of actions on the continent, including drilling, dredging, excavation or collection of mineral resources.
  • An exception can be made if it is done for scientific research with a granted permit.
• It also restricts individuals from damaging the environment, including native plants, birds and seals.
• It disallows flying or landing helicopters or operating vessels that can disturb the native animals.
• It prohibits any activity that could harm the habitat of birds and animals, kill, injure or capture any bird or animal.
• Introducing any non-native animals, birds, plants of microscopic organisms is also prohibited under the Act.
• Violating any of the regulations prescribed by the Act will attract high penalties.
  • The lowest penalty comprises an imprisonment between one-two years and a penalty of Rs 10-50 lakh.
• Extraction of any species native to Antarctica, or introduction of an exotic species to the continent can draw imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

Source: TH

3. Birds of different feathers fly to the same beat

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Msc

Universal Formula for Flapping Frequencies in Animals:

• Almost all animals that fly through the air and many that swim through water have evolved to flap their wings (or fins) at a frequency given by a simple formula, three scientists at Roskilde University in Denmark have found.
• Discovery: A simple formula relating the flapping frequency of wings or fins to the mass and wing area of the animal.

• f here is the wingbeat frequency, m the mass of the animal, ⍴air the atmosphere’s density, and A the size of the wing. Et voila.

Formula Verification:

• Applicability: Validated across a wide range of species including insects, birds, bats, penguins, whales, and a robotic bird (ornithopter).
• Method: Plotting calculated values against actual frequencies showed a nearly straight line, confirming the formula’s accuracy.

Derivation Process:

• Starting Point: Newton’s second law F=ma applied to airborne animals.
• Considerations:
  • Force (F) is generated by flapping wings to counteract gravity.
  • Momentum of air pushed by wing strokes.
  • Airflow velocity and atmospheric density.
• Result: A theoretical equation was derived and empirically validated.

Proportionality Constant (C):

• Importance: Represents dimensionless quantities related to wing shapes and flapping angles.
• Implications: Can provide deeper insights into the efficiency of flight and potential limitations for heavier birds.

Application to Swimming Animals:

• Extension: The formula also applies to swimming animals needing continuous motion to stay submerged.
• Modification: Replace air density with water density and adjust for buoyancy.

Empirical Testing:

• Data Used:
  • 176 insect data points (bees, moths, dragonflies, beetles, mosquitoes).
  • 212 bird data points (hummingbirds to swans).
  • 25 bat data points.
• Limitations: Formula assumes high Reynolds number (Re) conditions where fluid density is more critical than viscosity.

Future Work:

• Low Reynolds Number: Adjustments needed for animals operating in low Re conditions where viscosity is more significant.
• Density Variations: Simplification of the formula is constrained unless density varies significantly by an order of magnitude.

Source: TH

4. Year after Titan’s fatal dive, explorers vow to pursue ocean mysteries

Sub: Geography

Sec: Oceanography

Context:

• June 18 marks one year since the Titan vanished on its way to the historic wreckage site in the North Atlantic Ocean (off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada). After a five-day search that captured attention around the world, authorities said the vessel had been destroyed and all five people on board had died.

Details:

• Concerns have been raised about whether the Titan was destined for disaster because of its unconventional design and its creator’s refusal to submit to independent checks that are standard in the industry.
• The deep-sea exploration continues. The Georgia-based company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic plans to visit the sunken ocean liner in July using remotely operated vehicles.

About the Titan:

• The Titan began deep-sea ventures related to the Titanic in 2021.
• Titan, the missing vessel is a submersible capable of taking five people — one pilot and four crew members — to depths of 4,000 meters, or more than 13,100 feet — for site survey and inspection, research and data collection, film and media production, and deep sea testing of hardware and software.
• The titan was made of titanium and carbon fibre, it weighs about 21,000 pounds and is listed as measuring 22 feet by 9.2 feet by 8.3 feet, with 96 hours of “life support” for five people.
• The Titan, one of three types of crewed submersibles operated by OceanGate, is equipped with a platform similar to the dry dock of a ship that launches and recovers the vessel.
  • The platform is used to launch and recover manned submersibles by flooding its flotation tanks with water for a controlled descent to a depth of 9.1 meters (30 feet) to avoid any surface turbulence.
  • Once submerged, the platform uses a patented motion-dampening flotation system to remain coupled to the surface yet still provide a stable underwater platform from which our manned submersibles lift off of and return to after each dive.
  • At the conclusion of each dive, the sub lands on the submerged platform and the entire system is brought to the surface in approximately two minutes by filling the ballast tanks with air.
• As per the website of company, titan employs a system that can analyze how pressure changes affect the vessel as it dives deeper, providing early warning detection for the pilot with enough time to arrest the descent and safely return to the surface.

How did the submersible implode?

• The Titan was made of carbon fiber and titanium, materials thought to withstand the pressure at depths of up to 4,000 meters. The craft’s hull was designed to protect the crew from the water pressure.
• The water pressure 3,800 meters down at the site of the Titanic wreck is roughly 400 atmospheres (6,000 PSI) — about the same as having 35 elephants on your shoulders.
• Titanium is elastic and can adapt to ranges of stresses and pressures without permanent strain on the material. Carbon fiber on the other hand is stiffer and non-elastic, often prone to cracking.

Source: TH

5. Global Central Banks Recalibrate as Policy Easing of 2024 Fizzles

Sub: Economy

Sec: Monetary policy

Overview:

• End of 2023 Expectations:
  • Major central banks were expected to shift to lower interest rates, making borrowing cheaper.
  • Optimism was high among investors and organizations like the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Reality Check:
  • Persistent inflation and resilient economic and wage growth have largely halted the anticipated joint easing of monetary policy.

Key Developments:

• Federal Reserve’s Position:
  • In December 2023, Fed discussed the possibility of rate cuts, raising hopes for looser financial conditions.
  • By mid-2024, the Fed anticipated only a single quarter-percentage-point rate cut by year-end, down from three cuts projected earlier.
  • Fed emphasized the need to get policy right, indicating the initial move to loosen policy would be “consequential.”
• Economists vs. Markets:
  • Economists consistently predicted fewer rate cuts than market expectations.
  • In December, markets expected the Bank of England (BoE) to cut rates by May, but economists forecasted a third-quarter cut, which is now widely expected in August.
  • Similarly, the European Central Bank (ECB) was expected by economists to make its first cut in June, while market pricing implied multiple cuts throughout the year.
• Current Central Bank Actions:
  • European Central Bank and Bank of Canada made modest initial cuts in response to earlier promises when inflation seemed to be falling faster.
  • Bank of England is expected to hold rates steady in its last policy meeting before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s term ends, delaying the move toward lower borrowing costs.

Inflation and Economic Growth:

• Headline Inflation and Wage Growth:
  • BoE faced higher-than-expected inflation in the services sector and substantial annual wage growth, delaying rate cuts.
  • ECB officials warned of “bumps in the road” as they aimed to bring inflation back to the 2% target by the end of 2025.

Managing Expectations:

• Central Bank Messaging:
  • Powell’s December comments seemed to solidify views that rate cuts were imminent, but the reality has been more measured.
  • ECB and other central banks are balancing inflation control with economic growth, aiming to avoid overly restrictive policies that could harm fragile recoveries.

Conclusion:

• Symbolic vs. Actual Impact:
  • While the timing of the first-rate cut is symbolically important, its macroeconomic effect might be less significant.

Summary:

The anticipated global shift to lower interest rates in 2024 has largely fizzled, with major central banks confronting persistent inflation and resilient economic growth.

Economists have been more accurate than markets in predicting the timing and extent of rate cuts, reflecting a cautious approach by central banks like the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank. Managing expectations remains crucial as central banks navigate the trade-offs between inflation control and economic growth.

6. I&B Ministry to Regulate Social Media Content: Implications and Concerns

Sub: Polity

Sec: Msc

Key Points of the Proposal:

• Inclusion of Social Media:
  • The new Broadcasting Bill aims to regulate user-generated content on the Internet produced by “professional” creators, similar to how news platforms are currently regulated.
• Expansion of the Bill’s Scope:
  • Initially, the draft Bill proposed regulating online news and current affairs content creators to the same extent as OTT streaming services. The latest proposal explicitly targets “professional” content creators without clearly defining the term.
• Engagement with Internet Companies:
  • The I&B Ministry has reached out to major internet and streaming companies to discuss the new regulatory framework, indicating the government’s intention to bring these entities under its purview.

Implications of the Proposal:

• Impact on Content Creators:
  • Professional content creators might face stringent regulations similar to those imposed on traditional media. This could include adherence to specific content guidelines, censorship, and potential penalties for non-compliance.
• Challenges in Definition:
  • The lack of a clear definition of “professional” content creators creates ambiguity. Without specifying criteria such as monetization thresholds or audience size, it’s uncertain who will fall under this regulation.
• Censorship Concerns:
  • The proposal raises concerns about freedom of expression and censorship. Regulating user-generated content could lead to increased control over what can be posted online, impacting the diversity of viewpoints and critical discourse.
• Operational Burden on Platforms:
  • Internet and streaming companies might face increased operational burdens to comply with the new regulations. This includes monitoring content more closely and implementing additional mechanisms to ensure compliance.
• Potential Impact on Innovation:
  • Strict regulations could stifle innovation in the digital content space. Content creators might be discouraged from experimenting with new formats or topics due to fear of regulatory repercussions.

Moving Forward: Key Considerations:

• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Engaging with all stakeholders, including content creators, platforms, and users, is crucial to ensure that the regulations are balanced and do not unduly stifle creativity or freedom of expression.
• Clear Definitions and Guidelines:
  • The I&B Ministry needs to provide clear definitions and guidelines regarding what constitutes a “professional” content creator. Transparent criteria will help avoid confusion and ensure fair implementation.
• Safeguarding Free Speech:
  • It is vital to strike a balance between regulation and safeguarding free speech. The regulatory framework should protect against harmful content without imposing excessive censorship.
• Review and Feedback Mechanisms:
  • Regular review and feedback mechanisms should be established to assess the impact of the regulations and make necessary adjustments. This will ensure that the framework remains relevant and effective.

Conclusion:

The proposal by the I&B Ministry to regulate social media and user-generated content marks a significant shift in India’s approach to digital content regulation. While it aims to bring more accountability to online content, it also raises several concerns regarding freedom of expression, operational challenges, and the potential impact on innovation. Clear guidelines, stakeholder engagement, and a balanced approach will be essential in implementing this proposal effectively.

7. How diapers use quantum physics to attend to nature’s call

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Awareness in IT and computer

What is Quantum Physics?

• Quantum computing is a multidisciplinary field comprising aspects of computer science, physics, and mathematics that utilizes quantum mechanics to solve complex problems faster than on classical computers.
• The field of quantum computing includes hardware research and application development.
• Quantum computers are able to solve certain types of problems faster than classical computers by taking advantage of quantum mechanical effects, such as superposition and quantum interference.

The case of cotton:

• Whether something absorbs or repels water has to do with microscopic forces and the nature of a material.
• Its smallest constituent is a molecule made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
• While every atom here is charge neutral — i.e. it has an equal number of positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons — something funny happens.
• Two electrons, one each from every hydrogen atom, decide to shift a bit towards the larger oxygen atom.
• The oxygen atoms become more negatively charged and the hydrogen atoms become more positively charged.
• When you place your cotton handkerchief on the water you accidently spilled on the table, the water molecules meet the molecules of the cotton fibers.
• These fibers are big networks of molecules called polymers, and they have a bunch of slightly positive and negatively charged ions sitting everywhere.
• So as soon as you place the cotton on the water, the water molecules see this big network like a bunch of hungry monkeys meeting a jungle of dense trees.
• The water molecules now experience forces leading them to rush to the ions, climbing over various molecules of cotton.
• In the process the water is soaked up and your handkerchief becomes wet.
• This also means that whether some material will soak or not soak water depends on the kind of ions it is made of.
• Cotton absorbs water quite well and therefore it is no wonder you see it everywhere, including as cotton balls in the handy medical kit.

Working of a diaper:

• Cotton works great when you need to absorb small amounts of water, but when you need to absorb the liters of fluids your baby is producing overnight, clearly something more remarkable is required. This magic material is called a super-absorbent polymer (SAP).
• The molecular structure of this compound again resembles the complicated mesh of a tree.
• As soon as it comes in contact with water, water molecules flow through and sit inside.
• The oxygen atoms in particular are attracted to the mesh due to the presence of an important ion in SAP called sodium — the same sodium that is in your salt and often goes off the charts if you don’t hydrate yourself properly in the summer.
• Sodium and water have some unspeakable love for each other that they remain stuck together when given a chance.
• This is the same reason salt in the form of a compound of sodium and chlorine  dissolves in water. Sodium ions leave the chlorine ions for water molecules, and in the process the salt dissolves.
• Because of the oxygen, the water molecules go and attach themselves to the sodium ions in the SAP trees.
• They start to hold each other and form a strong network that can no longer move, i.e. it is rigid.
• The whole network swells, trapping the water molecules within, to form what is called a gel.
• SAP is a magical compound that can absorb a large amount of water, at times more than its own weight.

Quantum physics in the fray:

• The reason why sodium and oxygen atoms want to come closer is that they wish to share an electron.
• The electron is really a wave, and it can be shared by two atoms at the same time thanks to the rules of quantum physics.
• Nature prefers this arrangement to have the electron to live in the shared world of oxygen + sodium and this is what drives water molecules towards the sodium ions in a diaper.

8. Analysis-Industry fears EU carbon border tax will penalize British green energy

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Grouping

Context:

• British wind and solar farms exporting power to continental Europe could face CO2 fees from 2026 – even though they don’t produce any emissions – unless the UK and European Union can agree changes around the EU’s carbon border tax.

More on news:

• The charges, set out in a little-noticed clause of the CO2 levy law, could hit revenues of renewable energy projects in the UK.
• The extra cost of the charge could make it uneconomic to export excess clean power from Britain to Europe at certain times when demand is weaker, renewables generation is high, and power prices are low.

What is EU Carbon Border Tax:

• The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is the EU’s tool to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries.
• The carbon border tax is a levy proposed by the European Union to protect its domestic industry from cheaper imports from countries where rules imposing low carbon production are not strict.
• The EU fears that while its industry would be at a disadvantage because European companies would have to comply with strict rules, those from other countries may not.