Daily Prelims Notes 26 October 2024
- October 26, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN
Daily Prelims Notes
26 October 2024
Table Of Contents
- ISRO-DBT Agreement to Conduct Biotechnology Experiments in Space Station
- BRICS Unveils Symbolic Banknote and Pushes for Local Currency Trade Amid Dollar Debate
- Revival of the National Mission for Manuscripts: A New Initiative to Preserve India’s Ancient Texts
- Budget Crisis Threatens Future of UN Climate Negotiations and Climate Action Initiatives
- India’s Coking Coal Imports Surge to Six-Year High Driven by Russian Supplies and Increased Steel Production
- Weather forecasts at panchayat level: what will be known, and how it will help
- Govt. doubles loan limit under Mudra Yojana to ₹20 lakh
- The right to die with dignity — SC rulings and what the law says in India
- Just 150 left, glimmer of hope for great Indian bustard after first-ever artificial insemination birth in Jaisalmer
- Declaring Delhi’s Jama Masjid protected monument will have substantial impact, ASI tells HC
- Where is India’s SO₂ control from TPPs headed? NITI Aayog’s memo over FGDs fuels debate
- 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index: India ranked 176 out of 180 countries, labelled among worst performers
- A new era for ecosystem: Global Ecosystem Atlas launched at COP16
- India’s AI rush thrusts Nvidia to centre stage
1. ISRO-DBT Agreement to Conduct Biotechnology Experiments in Space Station
Sub : Sci
Sec: Space sector
- Agreement between ISRO and DBT:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have signed an agreement to collaborate on designing and conducting biotechnology experiments.
- These experiments will be integrated into the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), India’s planned indigenous space station.
- Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS):
- The BAS is expected to be operational between 2028 and 2035, marking India’s foray into establishing a permanent space station.
- This project aims to advance India’s capabilities in space exploration and bio-science research.
- Focus on Health Impact Experiments:
- Some of the proposed experiments include:
- Studying how weightlessness affects muscle loss in astronauts.
- Exploring types of algae that could serve as nutritional supplements or preserve food for longer durations in space.
- Investigating how certain algae might be processed to produce jet fuel.
- Analyzing the impact of radiation on the health of individuals aboard space stations.
- Potential Inclusion in Gaganyaan Mission:
- Before the BAS project, ISRO’s major focus is the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed mission to space, slated for launch in 2025-2026.
- There will be three uncrewed test missions prior to the main Gaganyaan mission. Some of the proposed biotechnology experiments may be tested during these flights.
- Bio-Manufacturing and the BIOE3 Policy:
- The ISRO-DBT partnership stems from the BIOE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) policy initiated by DBT.
- This policy aims to boost bio-manufacturing in India, with the bio-economy expected to reach a valuation of $300 billion by 2030.
- Some of the proposed experiments include:
Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)
The Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) will be India’s first indigenous space station, scheduled for establishment in 2028.
BAS is designed as a national space-based facility to support advanced microgravity research and technology development.
It aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in space technology and provide a platform for scientific experiments in a controlled microgravity environment.
As part of this vision, the objective is to launch an operational space station by 2035 and pursue a crewed lunar mission by 2040, extending India’s capabilities in human space exploration.
BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment)
The BioE3 Policy is initiated by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to foster high-performance biomanufacturing.
It focuses on the integration of advanced biotechnological processes to produce a range of products, from medicines to materials, addressing challenges in farming and food and promoting the manufacturing of bio-based products.
2. BRICS Unveils Symbolic Banknote and Pushes for Local Currency Trade Amid Dollar Debate
Sub : IR
Sec: Int grouping
- Symbolic BRICS Banknote Unveiled:
- At the recent BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, a symbolic banknote featuring the flags of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa was unveiled.
- The banknote signifies the collective ambition of BRICS nations to explore alternatives to the US dollar in cross-border transactions and reduce dependence on Western financial structures.
- Putin’s Stance on Dollarization:
- Russian President emphasized that the BRICS nations are not rejecting the US dollar outright but are preparing alternatives if needed.
- He highlighted that the use of the dollar as a political weapon undermines global trust in the currency.
- Endorsement of Local Currency Settlements:
- During the summit, BRICS nations formally endorsed the settlement of cross-border payments in local currencies.
- The Kazan Declaration issued on October 23, 2024 – This initiative is part of the broader BRICS Cross-Border Payments Initiative, promoting voluntary, non-binding use of local currencies.
- India has already implemented measures to allow trade settlements in rupees with Russia and the UAE and is in talks with other nations like Indonesia.
- Challenges and Transition to a Fairer Economic System:
- While endorsing local currencies marks a bold move, BRICS faces challenges in transitioning to a more independent economic system.
- Putin remarked that the speed of transition depends on moving away from Western-dominated financial platforms.
- The longer BRICS operates within the current system, the more turbulence it may encounter.
- Focus on Local Currency Settlements and Financial Infrastructure:
- Despite the symbolic unveiling of a potential common currency, the immediate focus of BRICS remains on enhancing local currency settlements and building financial infrastructure.
- The bloc continues to challenge the status quo of global finance by seeking alternatives to dollar hegemony without directly opposing it, aiming for a fairer and more resilient economic system.
Sub: History
Sec: Schemes
Why in News
The Union Ministry of Culture recently announced plans to relaunch and revitalize the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) to enhance the preservation of India’s ancient manuscripts. A proposal to establish an independent, autonomous body, likely named the National Manuscripts Authority, is under consideration. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to conserving the rich heritage encapsulated in India’s historic manuscripts.
National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM):
The National Mission of Manuscripts (NMM) was established to unearth and preserve India’s vast wealth of manuscripts.
The NMM was founded in 2003 under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
NMM has recorded metadata for approximately 52 lakh manuscripts across the country.
Over 3 lakh titles have been digitized, with about one-third of these manuscripts uploaded online for public access.
Over the past 21 years, NMM has undertaken preventive and curative conservation on nearly 9 crore manuscript folios.
These manuscripts include a wide variety of themes, languages, scripts, textures and aesthetics, illuminations, calligraphies, and illustrations.
The chief mandate of the mission is to identify, collect, document, preserve and conserve the manuscripts from all over India and make it accessible to people.
Its motto is ‘conserving the past for the future’.
Formation of an Autonomous Body
The Ministry is considering converting the NMM into an autonomous entity, the National Manuscripts Authority.
Objective: To streamline and strengthen the conservation and digitization efforts by enabling independent operations under the Ministry of Culture.
Functions of the National Manuscripts Authority
Expanding the scope of metadata compilation to cover a wider range of manuscripts across various Indian languages and regional scripts.
Accelerating the pace of digitization to ensure a substantial number of manuscripts are preserved in digital format and made accessible.
Implementing advanced preventive and curative measures for physical manuscripts to maintain their structural integrity over time.
About Manuscripts:
A manuscript is a handwritten composition on paper, bark, cloth, metal, palm leaf or any other material dating back at least seventy-five years that has significant scientific, historical or aesthetic value.
Lithographs and printed volumes are not manuscripts.
Manuscripts are found in hundreds of different languages and scripts. Often, one language is written in a number of different scripts. For example, Sanskrit is written in Oriya script, Grantha script, Devanagari script and many other scripts.
Manuscripts are distinct from historical records such as epigraphs on rocks, firmans, revenue records which provide direct information on events or processes in history. Manuscripts have knowledge content.
Manuscripts in India
India’s manuscripts have for centuries captured the imagination of the world.
As early as the seventh century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang took back hundreds of manuscripts from India.
Later in the late eighteenth century, the Nawab of Awadh gifted a superb illuminated manuscript of the Padshahnama to King George III of England. Today, it is considered one of the finest pieces in the Royal Collection.
National Museum is a treasure for Manuscripts and ancient written records.
The replica of Girnar Rock Edict is placed in the prime place to view and know the creative genius of Indian scribes.
The major, minor rock edicts and pillar edicts of Ashoka found across India are in the languages of Bramhi, Prakrit, Greek and Kharoshti, which are earliest written documents.
4. Budget Crisis Threatens Future of UN Climate Negotiations and Climate Action Initiatives
Sub : Env
Sec: Int conventions
Why in News
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is facing a significant budget crisis, with a shortfall of at least €57 million. This deficit raises concerns about the UNFCCC’s capacity to conduct essential climate negotiations and implement crucial agreements amid global efforts to tackle climate change. Despite some nations exceeding payment obligations, others, including major contributors, have not fulfilled their commitments, exacerbating the financial strain on the UNFCCC.
Overview of the UNFCCC Budget Shortfall:
As of October, the UNFCCC had received €63 million in contributions, well below its projected need.
A funding gap of approximately €57 million has been identified for 2024, almost half of the budget required for the UNFCCC’s operations.
Factors include logistical challenges and national elections, causing unprecedented delays in UNFCCC funding.
UNFCCC Funding Structure:
Core Budget: Mandatory contributions from member countries form the core budget, essential for the UNFCCC’s foundational operations.
Supplementary Budget: Includes voluntary contributions that allow nations to specify project allocations.
Participation Support Fund: Another voluntary fund helps representatives from developing countries attend climate negotiations.
About United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC):
Established in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Located in Bonn, Germany.
Objective: To stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
Signed under the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) in 1992 and entered into force on 21 March 1994.
Member States: Includes 198 parties, comprising nearly every country, including the EU.
Primary Functions: Coordinates international climate action, promotes climate negotiations, and monitors commitments by parties to mitigate climate change.
Kyoto Protocol: A UNFCCC protocol established in 1997 (effective 2005), setting binding emission reduction targets for developed countries.
Paris Agreement: Adopted in 2015 as an extension of the UNFCCC to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Key Mechanisms: Utilizes mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Emission Trading for climate action.
COP (Conference of the Parties): The supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, convening annually to review climate progress and set new goals.
Green Climate Fund (GCF): Established by the UNFCCC in 2010 to aid developing countries in climate adaptation and mitigation, with an initial aim to raise $100 billion per year by 2020.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): Works alongside the UNFCCC to provide scientific assessments on climate change and its impacts.
Reporting Requirements: All parties are required to submit regular reports on greenhouse gas emissions, with Annex I (developed) countries facing stricter reporting and reduction commitments.
Loss and Damage Mechanism: Introduced under the Paris Agreement to address climate-related loss and damage in vulnerable countries.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Core component of the Paris Agreement where countries voluntarily pledge their climate actions every five years.
Impacts of the Budget Crisis on Climate Negotiations:
Reduced Operational Capacity: The budget shortfall has forced the UNFCCC to limit its working hours and operational resources at its headquarters in Bonn, Germany.
Cancelled Regional Events: Regional “Climate Week” events were cancelled, impacting initiatives that previously attracted major climate investments.
Delayed Payments from Major Contributors: Key contributors like the U.S. and China have not met their 2024 payment obligations, intensifying the funding crisis.
Impact on Climate Project Funding: The lack of funds reduces UNFCCC’s ability to mobilize financial support for projects on renewable energy and reforestation.
Hampered Accountability Mechanisms: The shortfall limits UNFCCC’s ability to facilitate negotiations, essential for holding countries accountable to their climate pledges.
Sub : Geo
Sec: Eco geo
Why in News
India’s coking coal imports have reached a six-year high due to a significant increase in Russian shipments and growing domestic steel production. The shift highlights India’s diversification in sourcing away from traditional suppliers like Australia.
Rising Steel Production and Coking Coal Demand:
India’s crude steel production for the first six months of FY25 was approximately 73 MT, a 4% year-on-year increase. The rise in steel production has driven higher demand for coking coal, essential for steel manufacturing.
Shift in Coking Coal Supply Sources:
India has capitalized on discounted Russian coking coal, with imports from Russia soaring by 200% over recent years. Major Indian steel producers, including SAIL and JSW, have increased Russian coal imports, adjusting their blast furnaces accordingly.
Australia’s share in India’s coking coal imports fell to 54% (16 MT out of 29.6 MT) in H1FY25, the lowest in six years. Australian coking coal accounted for 80% of India’s imports in H1FY22 but has gradually reduced as India diversifies sources.
India’s coking coal imports from other traditional suppliers like Mozambique and Indonesia have shown slight increases.
About Coking Coal:
Top Suppliers: Australia (16 MT), Russia (4 MT), United States (4.3 MT)
Coking coal is a type of coal that is important in making high-quality coke. It is also called metallurgical coal.
This substance is an essential fuel and is useful as a reactant in the blast furnace process of primary steelmaking. Therefore, the demand for this type of coal is parallel to that of steel.
Coking coal has a low ash content, low moisture content and low sulphur and phosphorous contents.
We can categorize coking coal as a type of bituminous coal depending on the chemical composition.
During the process of coking (production of coke from coking coal), the material tends to swell and its volume increases.
The ability of coking coal to form coke relates to its physical properties such as the rank of coal. In contrast to coking coal, thermal coal cannot produce coke when the material is heated.
6. Weather forecasts at panchayat level: what will be known, and how it will help
Sub : Schemes
Sec: Agriculture
Context:
- On October 24, a new scheme named the Gram Panchayat-Level Weat her Forecasting initiative was launched by the Central Government.
- The Panchayati Raj Ministry is organizing workshops to train over 200 participants, including elected representatives, on utilizing weather forecasting tools at the gram panchayat level. This aims to empower communities and enhance climate resilience.
About the initiative:
- This program is a collaborative effort between the Panchayati Raj Ministry, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- Five-day weather forecasts, updated every hour, are now available at the level of gram panchayats, the first major step towards localised forecasting across the country.
- Forecasts will be accessible via the e-GramSwaraj and Gram Manchitra portals, and the Meri Panchayat app.
Types of Forecasts:
- Users can see data on the current temperature, wind speed, cloud cover (in percentage), rainfall, and relative humidity at the level of gram panchayats.
- It also provides five-day forecasts of minimum and maximum temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, wind direction, and wind speed, and an overall weather forecast.
Benefits of the initiative:
- Farmers can utilize localized forecasts to optimize planning for sowing, irrigation, and harvesting.
- The initiative can improve preparedness against natural disasters, particularly as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable due to climate change.
Importance of Localized Weather Forecasting:
- Predicting large weather systems (e.g., monsoons, cyclones) is easier than forecasting sudden localized events (e.g., cloudbursts).
- Localized forecasts empower small communities, particularly farmers, to make informed economic decisions.
Current Capabilities:
- At present, IMD provides weather forecasts at the district and block levels, with forecasts for a 12 km x 12 km area.
- IMD is testing forecasts for 3 km x 3 km grids, with the eventual objective of making hyper-local forecasts for 1 km x 1 km areas.
7. Govt. doubles loan limit under Mudra Yojana to ₹20 lakh
Sub : Schemes
Sec: Eco
Context:
- The government has doubled the loan limit under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
- This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, facilitating growth and expansion for emerging entrepreneurs.
New Tarun Plus Category:
- A new category called Tarun Plus has been introduced for loans above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹20 lakhs.
- The enhanced loan limit is specifically available to entrepreneurs who have successfully availed and repaid loans under the Tarun category, which allows loans up to ₹10 lakh.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY):
- The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) was launched in 2015, with the aim to facilitate easy collateral-free micro credit of up to ₹10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro entrepreneurs for income generating activities.
- It aims to promote entrepreneurship by funding the unfunded.
Key Features:
- Loan Categories:
- Shishu: Loans up to ₹50,000
- Kishore: Loans above ₹50,000 and up to ₹5 lakh
- Tarun: Loans above ₹5 lakh and up to ₹10 lakh
- Loan Limit Enhancement: As of the 2024-25 budget, the loan limit for the Tarun category has been increased to ₹20 lakh for entrepreneurs who have successfully repaid previous loans.
- Eligibility: Micro and small enterprises, individuals, and self-help groups (SHGs) engaged in non-farm activities.
Implementation:
- The loans under PMMY are provided by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs),e., Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and other financial intermediaries.
Credit Guarantee Coverage
- Loans granted under the PMMY for amounts up to ₹20 lakh will have guarantee coverage provided under the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU).
- This coverage aims to reduce the risk for lenders and encourage them to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
8. The right to die with dignity — SC rulings and what the law says in India
Sub : Env
Sec: Species in news
Context:
- Last month, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released draft Guidelines for the Withdrawal of Life Support in Terminally ill patients to operationalise the Supreme Court’s 2018 and 2023 orders on the right to die with dignity for all Indians.
Withholding/ withdrawing life-sustaining treatment:
- Life-sustaining treatments are medical treatments that artificially replace bodily functions essential to the life of the person.
- Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment refers to discontinuing life-sustaining medical interventions such as ventilators and feeding tubes, etc., when these no longer help the condition of the patient or prolong their suffering.
- Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment is not about giving up on the patient. It involves recognizing when further medical intervention would only prolong suffering. Instead, it allows for palliative care, focusing on managing pain and ensuring comfort.
- Withholding or stopping life-sustaining treatment can happen in two ways:
- When a patient who can make decisions chooses to refuse treatment
- Through an advance medical directive (living will), a document that outlines what should be done if the person is unable to make their own medical choices in the future.
- For someone who can’t make decisions and doesn’t have a living will, doctors can consider stopping treatment when they believe there’s no reasonable chance of recovery from a terminal illness or a vegetative state.
- The withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment also includes ‘do-not-attempt-resuscitation’ orders.
- When a do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) order is in place, doctors should still work to treat the patient’s underlying condition. The order only means that they will not start resuscitation efforts.
Legal status:
- The right to refuse medical treatment has long been recognized in common law, even if such a decision may lead to death.
- Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Common Cause vs Union of India (2018), it is also recognised as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
What is Euthanasia:
- Euthanasia, often referred to as mercy killing, is the intentional act of a doctor ending the life of a terminally ill patient for the good of the patient.
- Passive Euthanasia: In India, the term passive euthanasia is used to describe withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
How to create a Living will:
- To ensure the right to die with dignity, the Supreme Court established a framework for living wills in 2018, which was simplified in 2023.
- A living will is a written document created by anyone aged 18 or older, outlining their treatment preferences if they lose decision-making capacity.
- It should include at least two trusted surrogate decision-makers (e.g., family or friends) to make choices on the person’s behalf.
- Must be signed in front of an executor and two witnesses, and attested by a notary or gazetted officer to be legally valid.
Medical Procedure for Withholding or Withdrawing Treatment:
- Primary Medical Board: The treating hospital forms a board to evaluate the patient’s condition and recommend whether to withhold or withdraw treatment. This board includes the treating doctor and two subject-matter experts with at least five years of experience.
- Secondary Medical Board: This board, also set up by the hospital, reviews the Primary Board’s decision and consists of a a registered medical practitioner nominated by the district Chief Medical Officer, along with two subject-matter experts with at least five years of experience. All these members must be different from those on the Primary Medical Board.
- Consent Requirement: Consent from the nominated decision-makers in the living will or surrogate decision-makers is required to proceed with withholding or withdrawing treatment.
- Judicial Notification: The hospital must inform the local judicial magistrate about decisions made regarding treatment.
Sub : Env
Sec: Species in news
Context:
- A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was born on October 16 at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Rajasthan, marking the first successful use of artificial insemination for this critically endangered species.
- Authorities view this as a crucial advancement in GIB conservation efforts.
- Conservation Background and Efforts:
- The GIB, found only in India and primarily in Rajasthan, has a population of fewer than 150 birds.
- Conservation efforts include a captive breeding program led by the Centre, the Rajasthan government, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- A team from WII learned artificial insemination techniques in Abu Dhabi, where similar methods are used for the houbara bustard.
- Legal and Environmental Challenges:
- In 2021, the Supreme Court ordered that power lines in GIB habitats be buried underground.
- However, this order was reviewed in 2023 due to logistical challenges in implementing it over long distances.
- Future of the Captive Breeding Project:
- Experts caution that while artificial insemination is a positive development, its impact on GIB population recovery will take time.
- GIB’s Unique Breeding Challenges:
- Each GIB lays just one egg annually, which is roughly the size of three chicken eggs.
- Eggs are laid on ground nests, making them vulnerable to predators.
- It takes two years to raise a chick before laying another egg.
What is the Great Indian Bustard?
- One of the heaviest flying birds endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
- State Bird of Rajasthan.
Habitat:
- Untamed, Arid grasslands.
- Among the heaviest birds with flight, GIBs prefer grasslands as their habitats
- A Maximum number of GIBs were found in Jaisalmer and the Indian Army-controlled field firing range near Pokhran, Rajasthan.
- Other areas: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Population:
- As per the studies conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, there are around 150 Great Indian Bustards left across the country which includes about 128 birds in Rajasthan and less than 10 birds each in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- While the GIBs’ historic range included much of the Indian sub-continent, it has now shrunk to just 10 per cent of that.
Protection Status:
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
- Listed in Wildlife Protection Act’s Schedule 1.
Threats to the GIB:
- The population has declined due to:
- Increased human activity in their habitats.
- Predation on eggs by other animals.
- Deaths from collisions with overhead power lines.
- A 2020 study by WII estimated that power lines in and around the 4,200-sq-km Desert National Park kill approximately 84,000 birds annually, including the GIB.
Significance of GIBs in the ecosystem-
- Terrestrial birds spend most of their time on the ground, feeding on insects, lizards, grass seeds, etc. GIBs are considered the flagship bird species of grassland and hence barometers of the health of grassland ecosystems.
Why is the Great Indian Bustard endangered?
- Among the biggest threats to the GIBs are overhead power transmission lines.
- Due to their poor frontal vision, the birds can’t spot the power lines from a distance, and are too heavy to change course when close. Thus, they collide with the cables and die.
- According to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in Rajasthan, 18 GIBs die every year after colliding with overhead power lines.
Source: IE
10. Declaring Delhi’s Jama Masjid protected monument will have substantial impact, ASI tells HC
Sub: History
Sec: Art and Culture
Context:
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed the Delhi High Court that declaring Jama Masjid a “protected monument” would have significant implications, though no actions have been taken toward this designation.
- If the monument were protected, specific regulations and restrictions would apply in its vicinity.
- ASI noted that, while Jama Masjid is under the Delhi Waqf Board’s protection, it still conducts conservation and preservation work there.
- Court’s Observations:
- A Bench comprising Justice Prathiba M. Singh and Justice Amit Sharma expressed hesitation to designate the Jama Masjid as a protected monument, in line with ASI’s stance.
- Background on the Petition:
- The petitions, filed in 2014, urge authorities to declare the Jama Masjid a protected monument and address encroachments around it.
- They question why Jama Masjid remains outside ASI’s management despite its historic significance.
- Government Counsel’s Input:
- The Centre’s representative clarified that Jama Masjid functions as a “live monument,” where regular prayers are held, imposing unique restrictions.
- Since it is not a centrally protected monument, Jama Masjid does not currently fall under ASI’s administrative jurisdiction.
What are Centrally Protected Monuments?
- The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) 1958 regulates the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites of national importance.
- The Act protects monuments and sites that are more than 100 years old, including temples, cemeteries, inscriptions, tombs, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and even objects like cannons and mile pillars that may be of historical significance.
- The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture, functions under this Act.
Jama Masjid:
- The Jama Masjid (also called Masjid-i Jahān-Numā) was built between 1650-1656 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal.
- The mosque’s construction was supervised by Saadullah Khan, Shah Jahan’s prime minister.
Architecture and Design:
- Built using red sandstone and white marble
- Three large gates, four towers, and two 40m-high minarets
- The courtyard can accommodate approximately 25,000 worshippers
- The mosque is elevated on a platform accessed by a flight of 39 steps
- Features three large domes with alternating black and white stripes
- The main prayer hall contains intricate calligraphy and decorative elements
Historical Significance:
- Served as the principal mosque of the Mughal emperors until 1857
- Represents the pinnacle of Mughal architectural achievement
- Located in Old Delhi. At the time of its construction, it was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent.
Location and Setting:
- Situated in the heart of Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
- Overlooks the Red Fort and faces west towards Mecca
- Central location in what was once the capital of Mughal India
What is ASI?
- It was founded in 1861 by a British Army engineer Alexander Cunnigham who is also known as the ‘Father of Indian Archaeology’.
- It engages in archaeological research and conservation, and protection and preservation of ancient monuments and archaeological sites in the country.
- ASI regulates all archaeological activities conducted in the country through the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act), 1958.
- It also regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, of 1972.
- ASI has more than 3,693 protected monuments and archaeological sites of National Importance that it protects and preserves.
11. Where is India’s SO₂ control from TPPs headed? NITI Aayog’s memo over FGDs fuels debate
Sub: Env
Sec: Pollution
Context:
- NITI Aayog’s recent memorandum questioned the need for flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) in India’s TPPs, following recommendations by CSIR-NEERI at a meeting on August 21, 2024.
- CSIR-NEERI’s analysis, based on data from various monitoring stations and TPPs, found that only 13 sites exceeded SO₂ limits, leading to its recommendation against additional FGD installations.
- The draft report backing this claim remains unavailable to the public and regulatory bodies.
CSIR-NEERI’s Findings:
- Data from 467 Central Control Room stations and 486 TPP-managed sites indicate that ambient SO₂ levels rarely exceed permissible limits.
- Instead of focusing on SO₂, NEERI suggested prioritizing the control of particulate matter (PM), which frequently surpasses limits based on Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (OCEMS) data.
- Contrasting Evidence from IIT Delhi:
- IIT Delhi’s report advocates phased FGD implementation based on SO₂ data from satellite and reanalysis sources (2015-2019).
- This contradiction raises questions about the accuracy of NITI Aayog’s reliance on CSIR-NEERI’s findings alone.
Historical Timeline of SO₂ Compliance Deadlines:
- 2015: MoEF&CC introduced strict emission norms, targeting a 2017 compliance deadline for TPPs.
- 2017: An extension was granted, pushing deadlines to 2022.
- 2020-2021: Compliance categories (A, B, and C) were created, each with staggered deadlines based on pollution and population levels.
- The compliance deadlines for parameters other than SO₂ norms varied by category. Category A covered plants located within a 10-kilometre radius of NCR or cities with populations exceeding one million. These plants must meet compliance requirements by December 31, 2022.
- Category B included plants within a 10-km radius of critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities, with a deadline of December 31, 2023. Lastly, Category C encompasses all remaining plants, which were expected to comply by December 31, 2024.
- The categorisation by the task force puts approximately 22 per cent of the capacity in Category A and Category B. Nearly 78 per cent of the coal power capacity is placed under Category C.
- 2022: Revised deadlines extended the final SO₂ compliance date to 2026 for Category C plants.
- Current Status of FGD Installation:
- FGD is installed in 39 units (19,430 MW) and is in progress in 238 units (105,200 MW).
- Tendering is ongoing in 139 units (42,847 MW), and pre-tendering for 121 units (36,683 MW) is underway.
Health and Environmental Concerns:
- India, as the world’s top SO₂ emitter since 2019, has been urged to control SO₂ due to severe health risks linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- SO₂ emissions from coal combustion contribute to particulate pollution (PM2.5), which worsens air quality and health outcomes.
Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FED):
- Removal of Sulfur Dioxide is called as Flue-gas Desulphurization (FGD).
- It seeks to remove gaseous pollutants viz. SO2 from exhaust flue gases generated in furnaces, boilers, and other industrial processes due to thermal processing, treatment, and combustion.
- FGD systems may involve wet scrubbing or dry scrubbing.
- In wet FGD systems, flue gases are brought in contact with an absorbent, which can be either a liquid or a slurry of solid material. The sulfur dioxide dissolves in or reacts with the absorbent and becomes trapped in it.
- In dry FGD systems, the absorbent is dry pulverized lime or limestone; once absorption occurs, the solid particles are removed by means of baghouse filters.
Benefits of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FED):
- According to the Centre for Atmospheric Science, IIT Delhi, an FGD unit can remove anywhere between 50 and 99.8 per cent of SOx emissions, depending on the power plant’s vintage.
Sulphur Dioxide Pollution:
- According to a report by Greenpeace (an environmental Non-Governmental Organization), India is the largest emitter of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) in the world
- The primary reason for India’s high emission output is the expansion of coal-based electricity generation over the past decade.
Source:
- The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.
- Smaller sources of SO2 emissions include: industrial processes such as extracting metal from ore; natural sources such as volcanoes; and locomotives, ships and other vehicles and heavy equipment that burn fuel with a high sulfur content.
Impact: SO2 can affect both health and the environment.
- Sulphur dioxide is bad for health and the environment.
- Short-term exposures to SO2 can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. People with asthma, particularly children, are sensitive to these effects of SO2.
- SO2 emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO2 in the air generally also lead to the formation of other sulfur oxides (SOx). SOx can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These particles contribute to particulate matter (PM) pollution.
- Small particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and in sufficient quantities can contribute to health problems.
- At high concentrations, SO2 can harm trees by damaging foliage and stunting growth. When the gas mixes with falling raindrops, we get a shower of sulphuric acid.
Source: DTE
Sub: Env
Sec: Biodiversity
Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024:
- India ranks 176th out of 180 countries in the first-ever Nature Conservation Index (NCI), with a score of 45.5/100, marking it as one of the five lowest performers alongside Kiribati, Turkey, Iraq, and Micronesia.
- The NCI, launched in October 2024, was developed by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change (Ben-Gurion University) and BioDB.com.
- It assesses conservation efforts across four main areas:
- land management,
- biodiversity threats,
- governance, and
- future trends.
India’s Key Challenges:
- Land Management: India faces a high rate of land conversion (53%) for urban, industrial, and agricultural use. There is heavy pesticide usage, and soil health is at risk, as indicated by a sustainable nitrogen index of 0.77.
- Marine Conservation: Only 0.2% of India’s national waterways are protected, and none within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), although 7.5% of terrestrial land is protected.
- Habitat Loss: Significant habitat loss and fragmentation result from agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure. Between 2001-2019, India lost 23,300 sq. km of tree cover.
- Biodiversity Decline: While 40% of marine species and 65% of terrestrial species live in Protected Areas, population declines are substantial, affecting 67.5% of marine and 46.9% of terrestrial species.
- India struggles with SDG 14 (Life below water) and SDG 15 (Life on land), highlighting the need for better marine and terrestrial biodiversity protection.
Future Trends and Concerns:
- The report underscores India’s high population density, urban sprawl, and threats to its biodiversity and ecological balance.
- India’s illegal wildlife trade ranks as the fourth-largest globally, valued at around £15 billion annually.
Path Forward:
- To improve its conservation status, India must enhance political commitment, enforce stricter environmental laws, and secure funding for conservation projects.
- The NCI is optimistic, suggesting that with strategic political action and investment, India can address these challenges and work toward a sustainable, ecologically sound future.
Source: DTE
13. A new era for ecosystem: Global Ecosystem Atlas launched at COP16
Sub: Env
Sec: Int Conventions
Global Ecosystems Atlas:
- On October 22, 2024, the Global Ecosystems Atlas was launched at the 16th COP to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Created by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), this first-of-its-kind tool offers comprehensive mapping and monitoring of ecosystems worldwide, addressing crucial global issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation.
Significance of the Atlas:
- The Atlas consolidates ecosystem information by integrating national maps with Earth observation data, AI, and field data. It aligns with the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Global Ecosystem Typology, covering terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
- This standardized information helps nations, companies, and communities make informed decisions to manage ecosystems sustainably, aiding in meeting international obligations like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Global and Local Applications:
- Governments: Enables tracking of ecosystem health and progress toward biodiversity commitments.
- Businesses and Financial Institutions: Supports risk assessment for sustainable investments.
- Communities and Indigenous Groups: Provides data to safeguard and restore ecosystems locally.
- Academia: Offers open data for scientific research on global ecosystem trends.
- Conservation Efforts: Identifies biodiversity hotspots and monitors the impact of conservation initiatives.
- Notable Impact:
- Countries like South Africa and Mozambique benefit by aligning national data to enhance cross-border conservation. The Atlas enables these countries to assess risks jointly, focusing protective efforts on ecosystems they share, such as savannas and coral reefs.
Source: DTE
14. India’s AI rush thrusts Nvidia to centre stage
Sub: Sci
Sec: AWARENESS IN AI
Context:
- Reliance Industries and Nvidia have announced a collaboration to build extensive AI infrastructure in India, supporting the booming demand for AI services and providing essential computing power to startups.
- Nvidia’s GPUs, which lead the AI hardware market due to their unmatched performance, have made the company a major player with a market cap exceeding $3 trillion, second only to Apple.
- Key Project:
- Nvidia will support Reliance in establishing a 1GW data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This facility will bolster AI capabilities within India, complemented by additional deployments of Nvidia GPUs across other Indian enterprises.
Other Major Deployments:
- Tata Communications is deploying Nvidia Hopper GPUs for public cloud infrastructure and plans to upgrade to Nvidia’s next-gen Blackwell GPUs in 2025.
- Yotta Data Services provides customers with Nvidia’s NIM and NIM Agent Blueprints for AI applications, attracting clients like Sarvam AI, Innoplexus, and Zoho.
- E2E Networks operates across India, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, offering high-performance Nvidia GPU-powered cloud services.
- Netweb is expanding its Tyrone AI systems based on Nvidia MGX architecture to optimize enterprise data centre workloads.
Government Support and Domestic Computing Initiatives:
- The Indian government has launched a Rs 10,370 crore AI Mission to build local computing capacity and subsidize access for startups and researchers.
- Plans include a public-private partnership for developing AI infrastructure, with Rs 4,564 crore dedicated to creating computing infrastructure and a provision for scalability based on demand.
About graphics processing unit (GPU):
- A GPU is an electronic circuit designed for high-speed mathematical computations, crucial for applications like graphics rendering, machine learning (ML), and video editing.
- Unlike central processing units (CPUs) that handle multiple general tasks, GPUs excel in performing the same operation on numerous data values simultaneously, making them ideal for compute-intensive tasks.
Why GPUs Are Important?
- Originally, GPUs were developed solely for controlling image displays. However, advancements like Nvidia’s CUDA software in 2007 enabled general-purpose parallel processing on GPUs.
- This made GPUs highly efficient for various tasks, especially those requiring substantial computing power, such as AI, ML, and simulations.
- Today, GPUs power a broad range of applications beyond graphics, including finance, defense, and research.
Key Evolution Milestones:
- Early Graphics Controllers: Initially, non-programmable graphics controllers managed displays, heavily relying on CPUs.
- First GPUs: The first GPU aimed at consumer markets emerged in the late 1990s for gaming and CAD. In 1999, Nvidia released the GeForce 256 GPU.
- CUDA Introduction: In 2007, Nvidia’s CUDA expanded GPU programming access, enabling use in AI, ML, and other compute-heavy applications.
Practical Applications:
- Gaming: GPUs are critical for complex game rendering.
- Professional Visualization: Used in CAD, medical imaging, and video editing.
- Machine Learning: GPUs accelerate ML model training and can be accessed via cloud-based options for quicker results.
- Blockchain: Many blockchains, especially those using proof-of-work models, rely on GPUs for transaction processing.
- Simulation: Applied in areas like weather forecasting and vehicle design for high-fidelity simulations.
GPU Variants
- Discrete GPUs: Standalone chips dedicated to intensive tasks.
- Integrated GPUs (iGPUs): Combined with CPUs on a single chip, commonly found in laptops and smartphones.
- Virtual GPUs: Software-based GPUs that enable cloud-based processing without physical hardware maintenance.
GPU vs. CPU:
- While CPUs manage general system control and multitasking, GPUs specialize in repetitive, parallel tasks like ML. This distinction makes GPUs better suited for tasks needing vast computational power, such as real-time simulations and AI training models.
GPU vs. Graphics Card:
- A graphics card is the hardware that houses the GPU along with components like VRAM and cooling systems. The GPU is the core of this card, performing the computational tasks, whereas the card itself connects to the motherboard to manage display functions.