Daily Prelims Notes 22 August 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

22 August 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Supreme Court to examine need for a permanent environmental regulator
2. An unfortunate resemblance: Why conservation evades the depleting Mettukurinji of Western Ghats
3. Rapid E-Commerce Growth: Impact on Retail Stores and Jobs
4. Rising Tensions in the South China Sea Threaten Global Trade
5. Ukraine votes to join ICC as it seeks to bring Russia to justice
6. International Astronomical Group Advocates for Unified Lunar Time Standard Amid Growing Space Exploration

1. Supreme Court to examine need for a permanent environmental regulator

Sub: Env

Sec: Env legislation

Context:

• The Supreme Court decided to assess the necessity of establishing a ‘permanent environmental regulator’ akin to those in the telecom and electricity sectors.

Details:

• Justice K.V. Viswanathan noted the existence of regulators in telecom (TRAI) and electricity (CERC) and suggested a similar model for climate and environment regulation.
• Amicus curiae, senior advocate K. Parameshwar, highlighted that current environmental regulators operate in silos, and questioned whether they should be consolidated into a single overarching entity for comprehensive monitoring.

The Current Regulatory Landscape:

• Fragmentation of Authorities: At present, India’s environmental regulatory framework consists of multiple authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and various ministries. Each of these bodies has specific mandates and areas of expertise, leading to a lack of coherence in environmental governance.
• Need for Accountability and Effectiveness: The Supreme Court has previously emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in environmental governance. In earlier rulings, the court mandated regular audits of environmental authorities to ensure their effective functioning. The court’s guidelines aimed to institutionalize these bodies, ensuring they operate with integrity and independence, which is crucial for the protection and restoration of ecological balance.

Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA) Utilization:

CAMPA Funds:

• Whenever forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes, it is mandatory under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 that an equivalent area of non-forest land has to be taken up for compensatory afforestation.
• In addition to this, funds for raising the forest are also to be imposed on whom so ever is undertaking the diversion. The land chosen for afforestation, if viable, must be in close proximity of reserved or protected forest for ease of management by forest department.
• In 2002, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered that a Compensatory Afforestation Fundhad to be created in which all the contributions towards compensatory afforestation and net present value of land had to be deposited. 
• In April 2004, Ministry of Environment and Forests constituted Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)to overlook and manage the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) as directed by the SC. The authority was termed as the ‘custodian’ of the fund.
• Further in 2009, the government ordered that State CAMPAs had to be set upto boost compensatory afforestation at state level and also manage Green India Fund.
• The Supreme Court stated that States and Union Territories must use their CAMPA funds exclusively for restoring green cover lost due to deforestation.
• The court was informed that the utilization of CAMPA funds had been less than 50% in several States and UTs between 2018 and 2024.
  • Despite all these efforts, CAG report in 2013 revealed that the CAMPA funds remained unutilised. The report stated that between 2006 and 2012, CAF with ad hoc CAMPA grew from ₹ 1,200 crores to ₹ 23,607 crores.

Statutory backing:

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016 came into force from 2018. The Act established a National Compensatory Afforestation Fundunder the Public Account of India and State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
• The payments made for compensatory afforestation, net present value and others related to the project will be deposited in the fund.
• The State Funds will receive 90% of the payments while National Fund will receive remaining 10%. These funds will be regulated by State and National CAMPA.
• The Ministry also stressed that the fund had to be used for important needs such as Compensatory Afforestation, Catchment Area Treatment, Wildlife Management, Assisted Natural Regeneration, Forest Fire Prevention and Control Operations, Soil and Moisture Conservation Works in the forest, Improvement of Wildlife Habitat, Management of Biological Diversity and Biological Resources, Research in Forestry and Monitoring of CAMPA works and others.

Mining Activities Near Conservation Reserves:

• The Supreme Court asked the Centre to consider whether mining activities should be prohibited in areas declared as conservation reserves and community reserves.
• The Bench emphasized that the purpose of these reserves is to ensure corridors for wildlife movement between national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Source: TH

2. An unfortunate resemblance: Why conservation evades the depleting Mettukurinji of Western Ghats

Sub: Env

Sec: Species in news

Discovery of Mettukurinji in Idukki:

• A news story about a rare blooming event in Kerala’s Idukki region captivated social media, attracting tourists to see the stunning purple flowers.
• While the area is known for Neelakurinji, it was the lesser-known Mettukurinji (Strobilanthes sessilis) that caught attention, displaying similar purple hues.
• Mettukurinji (also called Topli karvy), endemic to the Western Ghats, is part of the Acanthaceae family, with 450 species native to wet tropical biomes of Asia and Madagascar.
• India is the hotspot for the highest diversity of Strobilanthes accommodating over 160 species of which 72 are endemic to Sahyadris.

For details of Neelakurinji

Source: DTE

3. Rapid E-Commerce Growth: Impact on Retail Stores and Jobs

Sub: Eco

Sec: National Income and Economy

Commerce and Industry Minister has raised significant concerns regarding the rapid growth of e-commerce in India, particularly focusing on the potential negative impact on millions of small retail stores and jobs.

• Concerns Over Predatory Pricing:
  • Minister flagged predatory pricing policies adopted by major e-commerce players like Amazon, questioning whether these practices are beneficial for the country.
  • Expressed concern over the potential social disruption caused by the massive growth of e-commerce, particularly its impact on small retailers.
• Impact on Small Retailers:
  • Highlighted the risk that e-commerce poses to 100 million small retailers across India, suggesting that the sector’s growth could significantly harm their business prospects.
• Skepticism Towards E-Commerce Growth:
  • The Minister emphasized that while e-commerce is here to stay, its growth should be “orderly” and “citizen-centric” to avoid widespread negative impacts.
  • He dismissed a report suggesting that e-commerce growth does not pose a significant risk to employment opportunities, implying that the conclusions were biased.
• Specific Criticism of Amazon:
  • Goyal raised specific concerns about Amazon’s business practices, including their approach to foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations in India.
  • He questioned the legitimacy of Amazon’s substantial financial losses in India, implying that these could be indicative of predatory pricing aimed at undermining local competition.
  • The Minister also pointed out that Amazon’s operational practices may be in violation of regulations that prohibit e-commerce firms with FDI from engaging in direct B2C transactions.
• Broader E-Commerce Impact:
  • Beyond traditional e-commerce, Goyal also raised concerns about the impact of cloud kitchens and online food delivery apps on traditional restaurants, suggesting that these too could be contributing to economic and social disruption.

Key Terms Related to Anti-Competitive Practices

• Predatory Pricing:
  • Predatory pricing involves a company intentionally setting prices below cost to drive competitors out of the market.
  • Once competitors are eliminated, the company can raise prices to monopolistic levels, recovering the losses incurred during the predatory period.
  • Impact: This strategy can lead to reduced competition, ultimately harming consumers through higher prices and fewer choices.
• Cartels:
  • Cartels are associations of independent businesses or countries that collaborate to regulate production, pricing, and marketing of goods or services.
  • Legality: Cartels are typically illegal because they foster anti-competitive behavior, leading to artificially high prices and reduced market efficiency.
  • Example: An example of a cartel could be a group of oil-producing countries that agree to limit production to keep oil prices high.
• Mergers:
  • Mergers involve the combination of two or more companies into a single entity.
  • Competition Concerns: While mergers can create efficiencies and benefits, some may reduce competition in a market, leading to regulatory scrutiny to ensure that they do not create monopolies or significantly harm consumers.
• Price Discrimination:
  • Price discrimination occurs when a seller charges different prices to different customers for the same product or service.
  • Anti-Competitive Risks: While not always illegal, price discrimination can be considered anti-competitive if it harms competition, particularly if it leads to unfair pricing advantages that push smaller competitors out of the market.
• Price Fixing Agreements:
  • Price fixing involves an agreement between competitors to set a specific price for their products or services.
  • Legality: This practice is illegal under antitrust laws as it eliminates competition and leads to artificially high prices, which can harm consumers and the overall economy.

4. Rising Tensions in the South China Sea Threaten Global Trade

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

China’s escalating military standoffs in the South China Sea pose a significant risk to the seamless flow of global trade. This strategically located region, nestled between key nations like China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, is not just a geopolitical flashpoint but also a critical hub for international commerce.

South China Sea

• It is an arm of western Pacific Ocean in Southeast Asia.
• It is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.
• This sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. (Strait of Malacca)
• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) one-third of the global shipping passes through it, carrying trillions of trade which makes it a significant geopolitical water body.

Why are countries interested in these waters?

The South China Sea is a major shipping route. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that over 21% of global trade, amounting to $3.37 trillion, transited through these waters in 2016.

It is also home to rich fishing grounds that provide for the livelihoods of millions of people across the region. More than half of the world’s fishing vessels operate in this area.

Although largely uninhabited, the Paracels and the Spratlys may have reserves of natural resources around them. There has been little detailed exploration of the area, so estimates are largely extrapolated from the mineral wealth of neighbouring areas.

The nine-dash line and other claims

China claims by far the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its so-called “nine-dash line”. The line comprises nine dashes which extends hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

• In 1947, China issued a map, external detailing its claims, and insists history backs up its claims – Beijing says its right to the area goes back centuries to when the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation.
• These claims are mirrored by Taiwan.
• However, critics say China has not been specific about what exactly its claim includes, and that the nine-dash line that appears on Chinese maps encompassing almost the entirety of the South China Sea includes no coordinates.
• It is also not clear whether China claims only land territory within the nine-dash line, or all the maritime space within it as well.
• Vietnam hotly disputes China’s historical account, saying China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands before the 1940s. Vietnam says it has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys since the 17th Century – and has the documents to prove it.
• The other major claimant to the area is the Philippines, which invokes its geographical proximity to the Spratly Islands as the main basis of its claim for part of the grouping.
• Both the Philippines and China also lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China) – a little more than 100 miles (160km) from the Philippines and 500 miles from China.
• Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim to territory in the South China Sea that they say falls within their economic exclusion zones, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.
• Brunei does not claim any of the disputed islands, but Malaysia claims a small number of islands in the Spratlys.

5. Ukraine votes to join ICC as it seeks to bring Russia to justice

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Ukraine’s parliament has voted to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Parliament voted to ratify the Rome Statute, which paves the way for full membership of the ICC.

Why this move?

• Ukraine hopes that ICC will help to ensure accountability for all Russian atrocities committed in the course of Russian aggression.
• Last year, the court had issued arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Russian-controlled territory.
• Ukraine signed the Rome Statute in 2000, but had not ratified it, out of fears that Ukrainian soldiers could face prosecution.
• Full membership of the ICC also advances Ukraine’s aspiration to eventually join the European Union.

About ICC:

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in The Hague, is the court of last resort for prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• It is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
• Its founding treaty, the Rome Statute, entered into force on July 1, 2002.
• Funding: Although the Court’s expenses are funded primarily by States Parties, it also receives voluntary contributions from governments, international organisations, individuals, corporations and other entities.

Composition and voting power:

• The Court’s management oversight and legislative body, the Assembly of States Parties, consists of one representative from each state party.
• Each state party has one vote and “every effort” has to be made to reach decisions by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, decisions are made by vote.
• The Assembly is presided over by a president and two vice-presidents, who are elected by the members to three-year terms.

6. International Astronomical Group Advocates for Unified Lunar Time Standard Amid Growing Space Exploration

Sub: Sci

Sec: Space technology

What is a Lunar Time Standard?

A lunar time standard is a proposed system for measuring and coordinating time on the Moon. Unlike Earth, the Moon does not have a natural timekeeping system or time zones. As lunar missions become more frequent and longer-term human presence on the Moon becomes a reality, a consistent and reliable timekeeping system will be essential for various reasons:

1. Coordination of Activities: A standardized time system would help synchronize activities among astronauts, rovers, and scientific experiments, ensuring that operations are coordinated effectively.
2. Communication: Accurate timekeeping is crucial for scheduling communications between Earth and lunar missions, as well as between different lunar missions or bases.
3. Scientific Research: Consistent timekeeping is important for conducting experiments and tracking scientific observations, which may be time-sensitive.
4. Navigation: A lunar time standard could assist in precise navigation and positioning on the Moon’s surface.

• Establishing a Lunar Time Standard

 The establishment of a time standard for the Moon is a complex task that involves several scientific and technical considerations. As lunar exploration advances, having a reliable timekeeping system on the Moon becomes crucial for coordination, communication, and scientific research. Here’s a closer look at how a lunar time standard could be established.

Deployment of Atomic Clocks

One proposed method for creating a lunar time standard involves deploying atomic clocks on the Moon’s surface. According to a 2023 report by the journal Nature, at least three atomic clocks will need to be placed at different locations on the Moon. These clocks will operate at the Moon’s natural pace and their readings will be combined using an algorithm to produce a more accurate virtual timepiece.

Challenges and Solutions

The Moon’s rotation and local variations in its gravitational field, caused by mass concentrations known as mascons, can slightly affect the flow of time. Mascons are dense areas beneath the Moon’s crust that alter its local gravity field. As a result, atomic clocks will need to be positioned in multiple locations to account for these variations.

Comparison with Earth Timekeeping

A similar approach is used on Earth, where atomic clocks are placed at different latitudes. The rotational speed of the Earth varies from the Equator to the poles, with the planet rotating faster at the Equator due to its wider circumference. This variation affects the timekeeping of clocks situated at different latitudes, necessitating adjustments for accurate timekeeping.

• How Earth’s Time Standard Works

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

Most global clocks and time zones are based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which serves as the international standard for timekeeping. UTC is determined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Paris, France, and represents a universally agreed-upon standard for world time.

Atomic Clocks and Time Measurement

UTC is tracked using a weighted average of over 400 atomic clocks distributed around the globe. These atomic clocks measure time based on the resonant frequencies of atoms, such as cesium-133. In atomic timekeeping, a second is defined as the duration in which a cesium atom vibrates 9,192,631,770 times. Atomic clocks are highly accurate due to the stable vibration rates of atoms, making them an excellent tool for precise time measurement.

Time Zones and Local Time Calculation

To determine local time, countries adjust UTC by adding or subtracting hours based on their distance from the Prime Meridian (0 degrees longitude), also known as the Greenwich Meridian. Countries located west of the Greenwich Meridian subtract hours from UTC, while those easts of the Meridian add hours. This system of time zones ensures that local time is synchronized with the position of the Sun relative to each geographical location.

• Understanding Atomic Clocks

An atomic clock is a highly accurate timekeeping device that measures time based on the vibrations of atoms. It is considered the most precise method for keeping time, used in various applications ranging from global positioning systems (GPS) to scientific research.

• Principle of Operation
• Resonant Frequencies: Atomic clocks operate on the principle that atoms absorb and emit electromagnetic radiation at very precise frequencies. For instance, cesium-133 atoms are used in caesium atomic clocks because they have a specific frequency at which they vibrate.
• Cesium Atom Vibrations: In cesium atomic clocks, a second is defined as the time it takes for a cesium atom to vibrate 9,192,631,770 times. This specific frequency is incredibly stable, allowing atomic clocks to maintain precise time.
• Types of Atomic Clocks
  • Cesium Atomic Clocks: These are the most common and are used as the standard for measuring time. They are based on the vibrations of cesium atoms.
  • Rubidium Atomic Clocks: These clocks are smaller and less expensive than cesium clocks but are slightly less accurate. They are often used in applications where space and cost are considerations.
  • Hydrogen Masers: These clocks are highly accurate and used for specialized scientific applications. They rely on the hyperfine transition of hydrogen atoms.
• Applications
  • Global Positioning Systems (GPS): Atomic clocks are critical for GPS satellites, providing accurate time signals that allow for precise location determination.
• Scientific Research: High-precision measurements in physics and astronomy often rely on atomic clocks for accurate timekeeping.
• Telecommunications: Atomic clocks synchronize data transmission networks to ensure seamless communication.
• Advantages
  • High Accuracy: Atomic clocks are capable of measuring time to an accuracy of billionths of a second, making them the most precise timekeeping devices available.
  • Stability: They offer unparalleled stability over long periods, which is essential for scientific experiments and global navigation systems.
• Challenges and Considerations
• Complexity and Cost: Atomic clocks are complex and expensive to manufacture and maintain. This limits their use to high-precision applications.
• Environmental Sensitivity: While atomic clocks are highly accurate, they can be affected by environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations.

• Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity
• Introduction

Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, proposed in 1915, revolutionized our understanding of gravity. It extends the concept of gravity beyond Newtonian physics by incorporating the effects of space and time. This theory is foundational to modern physics and has implications for various scientific and technological fields.

• Core Concepts

• Spacetime Fabric: General Relativity posits that gravity is not a force transmitted through space, but rather a curvature of spacetime caused by mass and energy. Objects move along the curved paths in this four-dimensional spacetime fabric, which appears to us as gravitational attraction.
• Equivalence Principle: One of the key ideas in General Relativity is the equivalence principle, which states that the effects of gravity are locally indistinguishable from acceleration. This means that an observer in a sealed room cannot tell whether the force they feel is due to gravity or acceleration.
• Curvature of Spacetime: Massive objects like stars and planets curve the spacetime around them. This curvature influences the paths of other objects, causing them to orbit or move in predictable ways according to the presence of these masses.

• Implications and Predictions

• Gravitational Time Dilation: According to General Relativity, time runs slower in stronger gravitational fields. This effect, known as gravitational time dilation, means that clocks closer to a massive object will tick more slowly compared to those further away.
• Black Holes and Gravitational Waves: The theory predicts the existence of black holes, regions where spacetime curvature becomes so extreme that nothing can escape. It also predicts gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime caused by accelerating masses, which were confirmed by observations in 2015.

• Relevance to Lunar Timekeeping

• Gravitational Time Dilation on the Moon: The theory of General Relativity implies that timekeeping on the Moon will be affected by its weaker gravitational field compared to Earth. This means that atomic clocks on the Moon will tick slightly differently compared to those on Earth due to the difference in gravitational strength.
• Impact on Synchronization: The need to account for these relativistic effects is crucial for establishing a lunar time standard. Atomic clocks placed on the Moon must be adjusted to account for the time dilation effects caused by the Moon’s gravity to ensure accurate synchronization with Earth-based systems.

• Practical Application

• Combining Time Measurements: To create a reliable lunar time standard, data from multiple atomic clocks on the Moon will be combined. The effects of gravitational time dilation will be factored into the calculations to synchronize lunar time with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Earth.

• Link to Technological Advances
• Impact on Timekeeping: The role of General Relativity in timekeeping, particularly in space missions and satellite technology, demonstrates the practical applications of theoretical physics.
• GPS and Relativity: General Relativity is fundamental to the operation of GPS systems, which must account for relativistic time dilation effects to provide accurate location data.