Daily Prelims Notes 2 October 2024

October 2, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

2 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Nearby river contributes to the rise of Mount Everest, says new study

Sub :Geo

Sec: Oceanography

Context:

Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain at 8,849 meters, is growing faster than expected.
A recent study suggests that over the past 89,000 years, it has grown 15 to 50 meters higher than anticipated.
The reason: A nearby river is playing a crucial role.

Details:

The Arun River, located 75 km from Everest, is eroding rock and soil at the mountain’s base.
This erosion is causing Everest to rise by up to 2 mm per year.
The process contributing to this growth is called “isostatic rebound.”

What is Isostatic Rebound?

Isostasy (Greek isos “equal,” stasis “stand still”) is a term in geology to describe the state of mass balance (equilibrium) between the Earth’s crust and upper mantle.
It describes a condition in which the mantle tends to balance the mass of the crust in the absence of external forces.
Imagine the Earth’s crust as a floating object on a semi-liquid layer. When weight is removed from the surface (like eroded rock), the crust rises slightly, similar to a boat rising when cargo is unloaded.

The River’s Role:

About 89,000 years ago, the Arun River merged with the Kosi River.
This merger led to increased erosion, removing large amounts of rock and soil.
The reduced weight in the region near Everest allowed the mountain to rise more quickly.
Study Findings:
- Isostatic rebound accounts for about 10% of Everest’s annual uplift rate.
- Neighbouring peaks like Lhotse and Makalu are also affected.

However, some experts are skeptical:

The timing of the river merger is uncertain.
Dating river deposits and erosion rates is challenging.
Some geologists believe river erosion may have little impact on mountain uplift.

Arun river:

It is a transboundary river that is part of the Koshi or Sapta Koshi river system in Nepal.
It originates in the Tibet Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China where it is called the Phung Chu or Bum-chu.
Mouth: Confluence with Sun Koshi and Tamur River to form Sapta Koshi
Tributaries:
- Left- Yeru Tsanpo, Trakar-chu
- Right- Barun River

Source: IE

2. Only 10% of nations fulfil their biodiversity commitments ahead of COP16, reveals NBSAP tracker

Sub :Env

Sec: Int Conventions

COP16 Biodiversity Conference:

Scheduled for October 21 to November 1, 2024
Location: Cali, Colombia
First major meeting since the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)

Current Progress:

Only 10% of nations have met their biodiversity protection pledges
20 countries have fully revised their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
9 countries and the EU have submitted updated plans as of June 2024
186 countries, including India, are behind schedule
Increased participation from civil society, indigenous peoples, and local communities

Monitoring Tool:

The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker (NBSAP), a new tool developed by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), is monitoring the progress of countries in developing their NBSAPs that align with the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Aims to track countries’ progress in aligning with GBF goals

Key Concerns:

Slow progress in updating national targets (only 33% of countries)
Lack of measurable objectives in submitted plans
Insufficient funding for implementation
Poor integration among government sectors

Challenges:

Funding shortages
Difficulty in enacting broader societal changes
Need for greater transparency and ambition

About Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):

The Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a crucial international agreement aimed at addressing the global biodiversity crisis.
Origin and Adoption:
- Officially known as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Adopted in December 2022 at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montreal, Canada
Main Goals:
- To halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030
- To achieve a vision of “living in harmony with nature” by 2050
Key Targets:
- Protect 30% of Earth’s lands, oceans, coastal areas, and inland waters by 2030
- Reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by 50%
- Cut global food waste in half
- Reduce the risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half
- Mobilize at least $200 billion per year in domestic and international biodiversity-related funding
Structure:
- 4 goals to achieve by 2050
- 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030
Funding:
- Establishes a Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
- Aims to mobilize resources from all sources, including the private sector
Significance:
- Considered a “Paris moment” for biodiversity, similar to the Paris Agreement on climate change
- Represents a global consensus on the urgent need to address biodiversity loss

Source: DTE

3. How India’s temples are run

Sub :Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

Supreme Court hears petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the alleged adulteration of the ghee in Lord Venkateswara’s laddu prasadam, Hindu organisations have revived their demand to free temples from government control.

Current situation:

Many Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist places of worship are under government control.
- Hindu temples form the majority of the around 30 lakh places of worship in India (2011 census).
Muslims and Christians manage their own religious institutions.
Several states have laws giving the government power to administer temples, their incomes, and expenditures.
- Temples in Tamil Nadu are managed by the state’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.
- The AP govemment controls and appoints the head of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which runs the Tirupati Temple.
- The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir enacted The Jammu and Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, 1988, to manage, specifically, the Vaishno Devi Mata Shrine in Katra, Jammu.

Historical Context:

The construction of monumental temples dates back to the Mauryan period (321-185 BCE).
Government control dates back to the colonial era when the British enacted laws to interfere in temple administration.
- In 1863, the British enacted the Religious Endowments Act, which handed over control of temples to committees set up under the Act.
Post-independence, states enacted their own laws, the first of which was the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1951.

Constitutional Basis:

Article 25(2) of the Constitution allows the government to regulate religious practices and institutions.
- Article 25 (2) states that a government can make laws “regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated with religious practice”, and “providing for social welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus”.
Religious endowments are on the Concurrent List (List III), allowing both Centre and states to legislate.

Legal Positions:

Courts have generally upheld the state’s right to regulate religious institutions.
Key cases include the 1954 Shirur Mutt case and the 1996 Pannalal Bansilal Pitti case.

Shirur Mutt case (1954):

Established that laws completely removing administrative rights from religious denominations violate Article 26(d) of the Constitution.
However, it also affirmed the state’s general right to regulate the administration of religious or charitable institutions.
This case set a precedent for balancing religious autonomy with state oversight.

Ratilal Panachand Gandhi vs. The State of Bombay (1954):

Reaffirmed that the right of religious bodies to manage their affairs is a fundamental right.
Clarified that while this right cannot be taken away entirely, the state can regulate the administration of trust properties through valid laws.
This ruling further defined the limits of state intervention in religious affairs.

Pannalal Bansilal Pitti vs State Of Andhra Pradesh (1996):

Upheld a law abolishing hereditary rights over the chairmanship of trusts administering Hindu religious institutions.
Rejected the argument that laws regulating religious institutions must apply uniformly to all religions.
This decision allowed for religion-specific regulations, recognizing that different religious communities may require different approaches.

4. BRCA Testing and Breast Cancer Prevention: A Public Health Imperative

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, bringing attention to the importance of BRCA testing for identifying hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risks. The case of Angelina Jolie and her preventive surgeries has spotlighted the potential of genetic testing to prevent cancer, highlighting the need for widespread access and awareness.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.

Breast cancer can spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is said to have metastasized.

The common kinds of breast cancer are—

Invasive ductal carcinoma: The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.

Invasive lobular carcinoma: Cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

Causes of Breast cancer

Breast cancer is not a transmissible or infectious disease. Unlike some cancers that have infection-related causes, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer, there are no known viral or bacterial infections linked to the development of breast cancer.

Certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer including increasing age, obesity, harmful use of alcohol, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure, reproductive history (such as age that menstrual periods began and age at first pregnancy), tobacco use and postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Understanding Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC)

Hereditary Cancer: Occurs when an individual inherits mutations in cancer-causing genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are the most well-studied, causing Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC).

The BRCA gene (BRCA stands for BReast CAncer gene) refers to two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, which play a crucial role in suppressing tumors by repairing DNA damage. Mutations in these genes can impair their ability to repair DNA, leading to an increased risk of several cancers, particularly breast and ovarian cancers.

Germline Mutations: These mutations predispose individuals to multiple cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.

Women with BRCA mutations face a 69-72% risk of breast cancer and a 17-44% risk of ovarian cancer by age 80. This is significantly higher compared to the general population’s lifetime risks of 12% for breast cancer and 1% for ovarian cancer.

Preventive Measures: Options like prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy can reduce the risk of developing cancer by 90-100% and significantly lower cancer-related deaths.

The Need for Population-Based Testing in India

Advances in next-generation DNA sequencing and genomics make large-scale population testing possible. However, India faces challenges in implementing this model due to the high costs of testing.

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): It is a modern DNA sequencing technology that has revolutionized genomic research by allowing the sequencing of DNA and RNA much more quickly and cheaply than the previously used Sanger sequencing.

The concept of a liquid biopsy is a revolutionary technique that offers a less invasive alternative to surgery.

Advantages of NGS:

Speed: Enables rapid sequencing of large amounts of DNA/RNA.

Cost-Effective: Lower cost per base compared to traditional sequencing methods.

Comprehensive: Can detect a wide range of genetic variations, including SNPs, insertions, deletions, and structural variations.

Scalability: Can be scaled to fit a variety of experimental needs, from small targeted studies to large genome-wide analyses.

5. Eight Traditional Products of Assam’s Bodo Tribe Granted GI Tag

Sub: Sci

Sec: IPR

Why in News

The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry in Chennai has granted GI tags to eight traditional products from Assam. This includes food items and traditional rice beer varieties produced by the Bodo tribe, marking a significant recognition of their cultural heritage.

Eight GI-Tagged Products

Traditional Rice Beer Varieties: The Bodo Traditional Brewers Association applied for GI tags for three unique varieties of rice beer made by the Bodo community. These include:

Bodo Jou Gwran: Contains the highest alcohol content among Bodo rice beers, around 16.11%.

Maibra Jou Bidwi (Maibra Jwu/Zwu Bidwi): Served as a traditional welcome drink by Bodo tribes. Prepared by fermenting half-cooked rice with minimal water, using ‘amao’ (a yeast source) to aid fermentation.

Bodo Jou Gishi: Another rice-based alcoholic beverage, traditionally fermented. Believed to have originated from Lord Shiva, and often consumed as a medicinal drink by the Bodo people.

Other GI-Tagged Products

Bodo Napham: A fermented fish dish, integral to Bodo cuisine, recognized with a GI tag.

Bodo Ondla: A rice powder curry flavored with garlic, ginger, salt, and alkali. Known for its unique flavor profile, this dish is another hallmark of Bodo culinary tradition.

Bodo Gwkha (Gwka Gwkhi): This dish is central to the Bwisagu festival, a major cultural event for the Bodo people. The GI tag underscores its cultural significance.

Bodo Narzi: A semi-fermented food prepared with jute leaves (Corchorus capsularis). Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium, making it a highly nutritious dish.

Bodo Aronai: A beautifully woven cloth, traditionally produced by Bodo weavers. It represents the textile heritage of the community and is often worn during important cultural occasions.

What are GI Tags?

GI tags are intellectual property rights granted by, Geographical Indications Registry.

GI tags have a duration, typically renewable after a certain period (e.g., every 10 years) to maintain their validity and protection.

They indicate the specific geographical origin of a product. GI tags protect the product’s unique qualities linked to its region.

Once granted, the GI tag is used as a label to certify the product’s authenticity and origin.

Who provides GI Tags and under what law?

GI tags are provided by the Geographical Indications Registry, located in Chennai, India.

The registry operates under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Importance of GI Tags for Cultural Preservation: GI tags are instrumental in preserving the heritage and uniqueness of traditional products. They provide legal protection to the producers, help in promoting local economies, and boost rural tourism.

About Bodo Tribe: Believed to have arrived from Tibet through Bhutan passes, the Bodo community is one of the earliest settlers in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam. The Bodos are the largest minority in Assam.

Cultural Richness: Known for their rich culture, including traditional dance, music, and religious practices, with Bathouism being a significant belief system.

Historically used the Roman and Assamese scripts, now the community has adopted the Nagari script.

Fond of their conventional rice beer called Zu mai.

Baishagu, celebrated annually in April, is their primary festival.

6. Declining Swallowtail Butterflies in Assam: A Call for Conservation

Sub: Env

Sec: Species in news

Why in the News

A recent study highlights the alarming decline of swallowtail butterflies in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region, primarily due to habitat loss and overexploitation of their host plants. The findings underscore the need for urgent conservation measures in this biodiversity-rich area.

About Swallowtail Butterflies

Family: Papilionidae

Global Species: 573 species

Species in India: 77 species, including:

Papilio paris (Paris peacock)

Papilio machaon (Common Yellow Swallowtail)

Papilio polytes (Common Mormon)

Papilio demoleus (Lime Butterfly)

Atrophaneura species (Red-bodied Swallowtail)

Teinopalpus imperialis (Kaiser-i-Hind)

Physical Traits: Large size, brightly colored wings, and tail-like extensions on hindwings.

Behavior: Strong fliers, diurnal activity, and territorial nature; primarily feed on nectar.

Global Range: Found in tropical and temperate regions across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Environmental Indicators: Butterflies serve as key indicators of environmental health, with their abundance and diversity reflecting the condition of their habitats.

Supportive Ecosystem: The Bodoland Territorial Region, covering 8,970 sq. km, has around 40% forest cover, crucial for supporting various plant species that are food sources for swallowtail larvae.

Swallowtail-rich Zone: The northeastern region, particularly Assam, is designated as a “swallowtail-rich zone” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with 69 species documented here.

Habitat in India: Commonly inhabits rainforests, woodlands, cultivated lands, and protected areas such as the Western Ghats and Northeast India.

Feeding Requirements: Depend on specific plant families for larval development, including: Rutaceae (citrus plants), Aristolochiaceae, Lauraceae and Magnoliaceae

Swallowtail Conservation Action Plan (SCAP): To protect endangered swallowtail species and prevent extinction. Northeastern India identified as a crucial conservation area under SCAP.

Legal Protection: 12 swallowtail species in India are federally protected. Some species are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Habitat Degradation

Agriculture and Tea Cultivation: Proximity to agricultural activities and tea cultivation near butterfly habitats is detrimental to their survival.

Illegal Activities: Illegal cattle farming and tree felling within protected areas further exacerbate the situation.

Pesticide Use: The application of pesticides contributes to the declining health of butterfly populations.

The Citrus Connection

Citrus Belt: The North-east region is recognized as the “citrus belt of the world,” hosting 52 varieties of 17 citrus species and six hybrid species. The northeastern region of India includes states like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram.

The Citrus Belt refers to regions where citrus fruits (such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits) are extensively cultivated.

Topography: Characterized by hilly terrain, valleys, and a diverse range of ecosystems. The region benefits from a subtropical climate conducive to citrus cultivation.

Key Varieties Grown: Oranges (especially mandarin), Lemons and Grapefruits.

Link to Swallowtails: The decline in wild citrus populations is linked to the disappearance of certain butterfly species, particularly those in the Papilio genus.

7. How Israel took the war to the ‘axis of resistance’, triggering Iran’s attack

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Iran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.

Turn of events:

December 2023:

Israel kills Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a senior IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) general, in Damascus.
Iran retaliates with a missile strike towards what it called a Mossad base in Erbil, Iraq.

April 1, 2024:

Israel bombs Iranian embassy complex in Damascus.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Reza Zahedi and other officers killed.
Iran sees a violation of its sovereignty.

April 14, 2024:

Iran launches direct attack on Israel with over 300 drones and missiles.
Israel’s response to the April 14 attack is described as meek.

July 30, 2024:

Israel hit three of its enemies, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, within 24 hours.
Israel kills Fuad Shukr (Hezbollah) and Ismail Haniyeh (Hamas) in simultaneous strikes.
Iran vows retaliation but holds back to facilitate Gaza peace talks. There was a shift in Iran’s approach from conservative to moderate due to leadership change.
Hezbollah, on the other hand, fired some 300 short-range rockets into Israel.

Different approaches:

Hezbollah: After the rocket attack, Hezbollah indicates completion of retaliatory strikes, signalling a desire to avoid escalation. Hezbollah prefers a limited conflict rather than a full-scale war.
Iran: Iran aims for a unified axis (including Hezbollah) to confront Israel more aggressively.

Escalation of conflict:

Backed by the U.S., Israel is prepared for escalation in the conflict.
When Israel sensed reluctance from its rivals, it decided to go with full force.
Israel has been preparing for a potential war with Hezbollah since 2006.
It started with pagers and walkie talkies, targeting Hezbollah’s communication system.
Then, Israel launched waves of massive air strikes aimed at senior Hezbollah commanders, including Hassan Nasrallah. This was followed by ground invasion of Lebanon.
Israel’s bottom-up approach was successful in weakening the most powerful non-state actor in the region and a major constituent of the axis of resistance.

Iran’s options:

Retaliation: If Iran retaliates, it risks provoking an even stronger Israeli response, potentially escalating to an all-out regional war.
Inaction: Continued Israeli attacks could further weaken Iran and the axis as seen in the past.
Both retaliation and inaction presented unfavourable outcomes for Iran.
Pushed to a corner and faced with tough choices, Iran decided to launch its second direct attack on Israel.

Axis of Resistance:

The Axis of Resistance is an informal Iranian-led political and military coalition in West Asia.
The group describe themselves as the axis of resistance to Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East includes Iran Hamas, Hezbollah, the Syrian government, the Houthis of Yemen and various Shiite armed groups in Syria and Iraq.
Iran fostered the groups over decades to enable them to carry out attacks on Israel as well as other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, that Iran has sometimes viewed as enemies.

8. Congo rebel group gets $3,00,000 monthly from seized mine

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

An armed rebel group, M23, generates approximately $300,000 monthly from mining control in eastern Congo, according to UN mission in Congo.
M23 seized the Rubaya mining area in April, which has significant deposits of tantalum, a key mineral for electronics.

Tantalum:

Tantalum is a rare metal extracted from coltan.
Tantalum is used to manufacture tantalum capacitors which are used for mobile phones, personal computers, automotive electronics, and cameras.
Rubaya in Eastern Congo contributes over 15% of the world’s tantalum supply.

About Coltan:

Coltan is short for columbite–tantalites and known industrially as tantalite.
It is a dull black metallic ore from which the elements niobium and tantalum are extracted.
The niobium-dominant mineral in coltan is columbite, and the tantalum-dominant mineral is tantalite.
Predominantly found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Colombia, Rwanda, Australia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Kenya.
Tantalum is also produced in Thailand and Malaysia as a by-product of tin mining and smelting.

Blood Minerals:

Blood minerals refer to natural resources, particularly certain minerals and metals, that are mined in conflict zones and are often associated with human rights abuses, exploitation, and violence.
The term is similar to blood diamonds, which are diamonds mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict.
Tantalum has been identified as a “blood mineral” by the Congolese government, which questioned companies like Apple about their supply chain practices.
The conflict in eastern Congo is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 120 armed groups vying for power. Violence has displaced approximately 6 million people in the region.

About M23:

M23, or the March 23 Movement, is a rebel military group mainly made up of ethnic Tutsis that broke away from the Congolese army just over a decade ago.

9. Amid challenges, China marks 75 years of CPC rule

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

China marked the 75th year of Communist Party rule, with minimal festivities, mainly a flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square as economic challenges and security threats linger.
Celebrations also took place in Hong Kong and Macao, emphasizing China’s reclamation of these territories in the late 1990s.

Communist rule in China:

The Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded in 1921.
The Communists, led by Mao Zedong, seized power in 1949 during a civil war with the Nationalists, known as the KMT.
The KMT, led by Chiang Kai-shek, relocated their political, economic, and military power to Taiwan, which is now a self-governing democracy.

Political Structure:

China is a one-party state, with the CPC controlling all aspects of governance.
Political dissent and opposition are not tolerated, leading to human rights concerns.
State control over media, education, and civil society is used to reinforce party ideology.

Economy:

Economic reforms started in the late 1970s under Deng Xiaoping.
These changes shifted China to a “socialist market economy” that encouraged foreign investment and private businesses, which resulted in quick economic growth.
China has become the world’s second-largest economy, driven by manufacturing and exports.

Expansionist policy:

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): The BRI aims to enhance trade and infrastructure development across Asia and beyond, which some view as a means for China to expand its influence and secure strategic territories.
China claims a large portion of the South China Sea.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has expressed intentions to reunify it with the mainland.
China’s military has significantly modernized, focusing on capabilities to assert its claims in disputed regions, including naval power for operations in the South China Sea.

Challenges:

China is facing issues such as economic slowdown, aging population, security threats from neighbouring countries, environmental issues due to rapid industrialization etc.

Economic issues:

After decades of rapid growth, China is facing an economic slowdown.
Chinese economy has struggled to regain momentum after the COVID-19 pandemic, with a prolonged property slump affecting construction and consumer goods sales.
Trade tensions, especially with the U.S is affecting China’s export-driven economy.
Recently government announced measures to boost the economy including lower interest rates and reduced mortgage down payment requirements.

Geopolitical Tensions:

China’s territorial ambitions have led to increased tensions with neighbouring countries and responses from global powers, particularly the United States.
China is facing growing frictions with neighbours including Japan, South Korea and the Philippines over territorial claims and their close relationships with the United States.
Ongoing disputes in the South China Sea and territorial claims against Japan
China insists on annexing Taiwan, potentially by force while US is supporting Taiwan in defending itself.
China’s military expansion, including the launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the Pacific, raises concerns about potential conflict.