Daily Prelims Notes 3 November 2024

November 3, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

3 November 2024

Table Of Contents

1. India’s Commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Sub: Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Why in News

India reaffirmed its commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction during the recent G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group ministerial meeting in Belém, Brazil. The Indian delegation, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra, called for global cooperation in technology transfer, knowledge exchange, and sustainable development to boost disaster resilience.

About Sendai Framework:

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) is a comprehensive international agreement adopted by UN member states at the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan.

Officially endorsed by the UN General Assembly in June 2015, it succeeded the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015), enhancing global commitments to reduce disaster risks and increase resilience across communities.

The Sendai Framework emphasizes that states hold the primary responsibility for disaster risk reduction (DRR). However, it calls for shared accountability across various stakeholders, including local governments, private sectors, civil society, and individuals. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive and inclusive disaster preparedness and response system.

Linkages with Other 2030 Global Agendas:

The Sendai Framework is integrally aligned with several other major 2030 Agenda agreements, collectively aiming to create a sustainable and resilient future:

Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Tackles climate change, recognizing that climate-related disasters are exacerbated by global warming.

Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development: Supports financing mechanisms for sustainable development, including disaster risk reduction.

New Urban Agenda: Emphasizes building resilient cities and urban areas with sustainable infrastructure.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Shares common goals with SDGs, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).

Global Targets of the Sendai Framework:

To track progress and impact, the Sendai Framework includes seven global targets aimed at reducing disaster risks and enhancing resilience:

Reduce global disaster mortality by 2030.
Reduce the number of affected people globally by disasters.
Reduce direct economic loss in relation to global GDP.
Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and services.
Increase the number of countries with national and local DRR strategies.
Enhance international cooperation to support DRR in developing countries.
Increase the availability and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information.

India’s Participation and Role at the G-20 Meeting:

India initiated the establishment of the G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G-20 presidency in 2023, underscoring India’s proactive stance in global disaster risk management.

India’s strategic priorities for disaster risk reduction, aligned with its G-20 presidency agenda:

Strengthening early warning mechanisms to reduce loss of life and property by providing timely alerts for impending disasters.
Promoting infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, ensuring community safety and continuity of services.
Developing financial mechanisms to fund disaster risk reduction initiatives, emphasizing public and private partnerships.
Implementing strategies for sustainable and resilient recovery post-disaster, facilitating quicker rebuilding with improved resilience.
Encouraging the use of natural ecosystems as buffers against disasters, like afforestation to prevent soil erosion and mitigate flood risks.

Troika Meeting: The Indian delegation also participated in a troika meeting with Brazil and South Africa, aligning on shared priorities and exploring collaborative frameworks for disaster resilience in the Global South.

Global Cooperation: The necessity for global cooperation in technology transfer and sharing of best practices. This includes developing scalable solutions that countries, especially vulnerable ones, can adopt to enhance their disaster preparedness and resilience.

Sustainable Development Link: Emphasis was placed on sustainable development practices as foundational to disaster resilience, aligning with the Sendai Framework’s holistic approach to risk reduction across social, environmental, and economic sectors.

2. UN nature summit reaches deal on payment for use of genetic information

Sub: Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Context:

Countries at the UN COP16 of CBD nature talks in Colombia on Saturday agreed to how companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics should pay for the use genetic information drawn from biodiversity in their research and development.

Details:

The deal on using genetic data, officially called digital sequence information, will create a new fund for collecting and distributing the proceeds for use in nature conservation.
Digital Sequence Information, or “DSI”, is a policy term that refers broadly to genomic sequence data and other related digital data. This includes the details of an organism’s DNA and RNA, which determine its characteristics and unique traits.
The payments could generate billions of dollars for nature conservation that would be directed to a fund that would distribute half of the proceeds to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Genetic data from nature is used in a wide range of products from nutrient-enriched rice to stone washed denim jeans distressed using enzymes derived from microbes.
The agreement could mean that billions of dollars for nature conservation be directed to the fund, with half of the proceeds to go to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
The fund called “Cali Fund” will help in the equitable sharing of DSI benefits.

3. Rising Glacial Lakes: Impacts of Glacial Retreat and Global Warming

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Why in News

In recent years, glacial retreat due to global warming has led to a significant increase in the formation and expansion of glacial lakes. The situation has raised concerns about the stability of these lakes and the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), particularly in regions like the Himalayas where communities and infrastructure are vulnerable to such events.

What Are Glaciers?

Glaciers are massive, dense ice formations found on mountains, moving due to gravity and their own weight.

As glaciers move, they erode the underlying land, breaking rocks into a material known as moraine. This moraine includes particles of various sizes, from large boulders to fine “rock flour.”

When snow falls and accumulates new layers over time, it gets compressed into large, thick masses of ice, forming glaciers.

The upper part of the glacier — called the accumulation zone — receives precipitation in the form of snow, which accumulates over time.

But in the lower part of the glacier — called the ablation zone — there is more melting of the snow and ice than accumulation.

The balance between the accumulated and melted snow is known as the glacier mass balance, which determines the health of the glacier.

Glaciers are crucial for downstream communities as they provide drinking water, or water for irrigation.

Glaciers also regulate river flow and counter global warming.

Formation of Glacial Lakes:

Retreating Glaciers: When glaciers melt, they leave behind large depressions that fill with meltwater, forming glacial lakes.

Natural Dam Formation: The moraine material left by the glacier often acts as a natural dam, allowing the lake to form.

Buffer Role: These lakes act as natural reservoirs, regulating water flow from melting glaciers. However, their formation also brings risks, especially to downstream communities.

Distinctive Blue Color: Glacial lakes often have a striking blue or turquoise colour due to light scattering by ultra-fine rock flour particles suspended in the water.

Global warming has accelerated glacial melting, leading to the expansion of glacial lakes.

Increased GLOF Risks: As glacial lakes grow, the natural moraine barriers holding them can become unstable, leading to potential GLOFs.

Examples in the Himalayas:

Gurudongmar Lake (Northern Sikkim): At 5,430 meters above sea level (msl), it is one of the highest lakes globally and feeds into the Teesta River.

Pangong Tso (Ladakh): A 134-km-long chain of lakes in the disputed region between India and China.

Samiti Lake (Sikkim): Located at 4,300 msl, it lies on the route to Kanchenjunga, one of the highest peaks in the world.

South Lhonak: The South Lhonak Lake appeared in satellite imagery in 1962. It expanded from 17 hectares in 1977 to 167 hectares by 2023. In 2023, heavy rains caused the lake’s moraine dam to breach, raising the Teesta River’s water level by six meters, resulting in the collapse of the Teesta III dam and widespread damage.

What are GLOFs?

GLOFs are disaster events caused by the abrupt discharge of water from glacial lakes — large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier.

As a glacier withdraws, it leaves behind a depression that gets filled with meltwater, thereby forming a lake.

The more the glacier recedes, the bigger and more dangerous the lake becomes.

Such lakes are mostly dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.

In case the boundary around them breaks, huge amounts of water rush down the side of the mountains, which could cause flooding in the downstream areas, which is referred to as a GLOF event.

Reasons for GLOFs:

GLOFs can be triggered by various reasons, including glacial calving, where sizable ice chunks detach from the glacier into the lake, inducing sudden water displacement.

Incidents such as avalanches or landslides can also impact the stability of the boundary around a glacial lake, leading to its failure, and the rapid discharge of water.

GLOFs can unleash large volumes of water, sediment, and debris downstream with formidable force and velocity.

Rising surface temperatures across the globe, including India, have increased the risk of GLOFs.

The floodwaters can submerge valleys, obliterate infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings, and result in significant loss of life and livelihoods.

4. ICMR’s “First in the World Challenge”: A Revolutionary Initiative for Health Innovation

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India’s premier biomedical research body, has announced the “First in the World Challenge.” This groundbreaking initiative aims to inspire Indian scientists to propose transformative, globally unprecedented solutions to critical health issues. The scheme is expected to foster bold, innovative ideas and bring India to the forefront of global health technology advancements.

About “First in the World Challenge”:

The challenge seeks proposals that introduce unique, high-impact ideas never before attempted worldwide.

Proposals can target breakthroughs in health technologies, including vaccines, drugs, therapeutics, diagnostics, and interventions.

The initiative encourages novel, futuristic approaches that go beyond incremental improvements and traditional methods.

Target Audience: This challenge is open to individuals or teams within India’s scientific community.

Eligibility for Proposals: Proposals can be submitted by individual scientists or collaborative teams from one or multiple institutions.

Core Principles of the Challenge:

Acknowledging that the innovative ideas may face a high chance of failure, the ICMR is prepared to support ambitious research that can lead to groundbreaking results.

Successful proposals are expected to have first-of-its-kind innovations in the biomedical and health technology fields, potentially revolutionizing global healthcare practices.

Proposals that aim to bring only minor advancements or process improvements will not qualify for this scheme.

Only bold, transformative ideas with potential for substantial impact are encouraged, ensuring the scheme’s focus remains on pioneering innovation.

Selection and Evaluation Process:

Selection Committee: The ICMR will assemble a distinguished committee comprising experts from various fields, including scientists, innovators, policymakers, and leaders in biomedical research.

Evaluation Criteria: The committee will assess proposals based on their potential to create impactful, unprecedented advancements in healthcare.

Flexibility in Participation: Both individuals and teams from single or multiple institutions can submit proposals, fostering collaborative efforts across the Indian research ecosystem.

Significance of the Initiative for Biomedical Research:

By fostering world-first innovations, the ICMR aims to position India as a global leader in biomedical research and technology.

This initiative seeks to address some of the world’s toughest health challenges, bringing revolutionary changes to diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention strategies.

5. How consumption of kodo millet led to the death of 10 elephants in MP

Sub: Geo

Sec: Eco Geo

Context:

Ten wild elephants died recently in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, potentially due to mycotoxins linked to kodo millet.

About Kodo Millet:

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), also known as Kodra and Varagu, is a drought-tolerant grain native to tropical and subtropical regions.
It thrives in poor soil and is commonly grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu.
The crop is grown in India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and West Africa.
It is a staple food for many tribal communities and economically weaker sections due to its high yield potential and nutritional benefits.

Nutritional Benefits:

Kodo millet is rich in vitamins and minerals, gluten-free, easy to digest, and has antioxidant properties. It is also noted for its dietary fibre, which benefits digestive health and metabolic processes.

Kodo Poisoning:

Kodo millet becomes toxic primarily due to fungal infections occurring under specific environmental conditions, particularly due to rainfall during harvest, resulting in a fungal infection leading to poisoned kodo which is locally known as Matawna Kodoo or Matona Kodo in northern India.
The primary toxin involved is cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), which can lead to severe health issues in both animals and humans.
Symptoms of kodo poisoning in animals include vomiting, unconsciousness, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Poisoning in humans:

The first known documentation of kodo millet poisoning dates back to 1922, with instances of acute poisoning reported in humans and animals after consuming kodo-based products.
Research established the link between mycotoxins, particularly cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), and kodo millet poisoning in the mid-1980s.
Although there have been animal fatalities, no human deaths have been reported, as affected individuals typically recover with prompt medical attention.

Solutions to Kodo Toxicity:

Use of biocontrol agents to minimize fungal development and mycotoxin secretion.
Implementation of good agricultural practices, including proper post-harvest management to avoid moisture exposure and ensure safe storage.
Regular removal of infected grains to prevent the spread of mycotoxins.

Detection of Mycotoxins:

Detecting mycotoxins in kodo millet can be challenging due to their microscopic nature.
Traditional methods include chromatographic techniques, which are time-consuming.
However, rapid detection methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and biosensors are gaining popularity for on-site analysis.

6. WHO’s database on polio cases hides more than it reveals

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Context:

WHO recently published a report detailing a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) type-1 case identified from an environmental sewage sample in Kolkata on April 25, 2022.
Genetic sequencing indicated that this virus was likely an immune-deficiency associated VDPV (iVDPV) excreted from an immunocompromised individual.

About vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV):

Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (VDPV) refers to strains of poliovirus that originate from the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
While OPV effectively protects against poliovirus, it contains live, attenuated (weakened) virus strains that can occasionally revert to a virulent form, leading to cases of paralysis.

Classification of VDPV:

WHO classifies VDPV cases into three categories:

Circulating Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses (cVDPVs): Emerges in populations with low vaccination coverage, where the vaccine virus can spread among unvaccinated individuals.
Immune-Deficiency Associated VDPV (iVDPV): Occurs in individuals with primary immunodeficiencies who may excrete the vaccine-derived virus for an extended period, sometimes years.
Ambiguous Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses (aVDPVs): Cases where it is unclear if the virus is derived from vaccine strains or has characteristics of both wild and vaccine strains.

Concerns about WHO’s database:

WHO registry primarily reports on circulating VDPV cases and does not include data on iVDPV and aVDPV cases.
The absence of iVDPV and aVDPV data in WHO’s public reporting raises questions about the organization’s intent and transparency.
Also, despite the findings from a polio case in Meghalaya being communicated to the WHO on August 12, there was a significant delay in the publication of details. The absence of timely updates raises questions about WHO’s reporting practices.

Comparison to GPEI Registry:

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) maintains a more detailed registry that includes:
- Confirmed cases of wild poliovirus
- Circulating VDPV cases, classified by type (1, 2, and 3)
- Environmental samples and human sources
Unlike WHO, the GPEI has data on circulating VDPV cases only for the past four years.

Risks Associated with iVDPV:

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) carries risks, including the potential for vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), where the live, weakened virus can revert to a virulent form.
iVDPV strains pose a significant threat as they can replicate within immunocompromised individuals and may remain infectious for extended periods.

7. Panel on SC tag for all Dalit converts gets a year’s extension

Sub : Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

The Commission of Inquiry, established by the central government, is tasked with examining the possibility of granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to all Dalit converts, regardless of their religion.
The three-member commission headed by former Chief Justice of India Justice K.G. Balakrishnan has been granted a one-year extension to finalize its report, now due by October 10, 2025.

Background:

Currently, the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950 only recognizes SC status for individuals from Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist faiths.
The commission aims to explore the inclusion of Dalit converts from other religions, a topic that has been under judicial consideration for over 20 years.

Reasons for extension:

The commission faced delays in initiating field visits, a critical part of its work, due to staffing issues.
The commission is also gathering insights from different States and Union Territories regarding the socio-economic conditions of Dalit converts.

Government Position:

The Centre has presented its stance to the commission, arguing against the inclusion of Dalit Christians and Muslims in the SC list, citing the foreign origin of these religions.