Daily Prelims Notes 31 March 2024

March 31, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

31 March 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Fish otolith ornaments make market debut

Subject: Environment

Section: Species

Context:

Ornaments from fish otoliths, named ‘Sea gems’, have made a market debut, with the efforts of a group of enthusiastic fisherwomen in Vizhinjam, trained by scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).

Otoliths:

Also called statoconium, otoconium or statolith, is a calcium carbonate structure in the saccule or utricle of the inner ear, specifically in the vestibular system of vertebrates.
They have been identified in both extinct and extant vertebrates.

Fish otoliths:

Fish otoliths are biomineralised ear stones that help fish hear and provide them with a sense of balance.
Otoliths are important in fish studies as they have species-specific shapes and grow throughout their life.
Counting the annual growth rings on the otoliths is a common technique in estimating the age of fish.

ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI):

Established by the Government of India on February 3rd 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and later it joined the ICAR family in 1967.
Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala.

2. Tropical cyclones of higher intensity demand a new category

Subject: Geography

Section: Climatology

Tropical cyclones:

Tropical cyclones, forming over warm tropical oceans with sea surface temperatures above 26.5°C, are powerful storms characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges, posing significant risks to coastal areas.
Annually, out of 85 tropical storms, more than half become cyclones, predominantly in the Western Pacific, the most active basin, while the North Indian basin, though only contributing to 4% of global cyclones, is highly vulnerable to their impacts.

Saffir-Simpson scale to measure the intensity of tropical cyclones:

The Saffir-Simpson scale, with categories 1 through 5 based on wind speeds, is used to communicate the intensity and risk of these cyclones to the public, highlighting the severe damage potential of category 5 storms with winds exceeding 252 km/h.

Impact of Global warming on the tropical cyclones:

The increase in greenhouse gas emissions and consequent global warming, with a 1.10°C rise since pre-industrial times, has affected ocean temperatures, thereby enhancing the intensity and potential destructiveness of tropical cyclones.
Observations indicate an increase in the frequency of intense storms, with each degree of warming leading to a 12% increase in wind speed and a 40% rise in destructive potential.
Additionally, cyclones are moving poleward and forming at higher latitudes, intensifying more rapidly, lasting longer, and producing more rainfall upon landfall, as evidenced by the record-setting 37-day duration of tropical cyclone Freddy in 2023.

Need for Category 6:

Recent research highlights that the intensity of storms is surpassing Category 5, suggesting the need for a new Category 6 for cyclones with wind speeds above 309 km/h, due to global warming.
Analysis of 197 Category 5 cyclones from 1980-2021 shows an increase in such intense storms, especially in the latter years, with some exceeding the proposed Category 6 threshold.
Future climate simulations indicate a rise in these extreme events. Introducing a Category 6 could enhance awareness and preparedness for these increasingly potent storms.
Given these trends, even regions currently less vulnerable, like the North Indian Ocean, may face Category 6 cyclones, prompting a reevaluation of disaster management and early warning systems.

Source: TH

3. Naturally occurring bile acid can blunt statin-induced diabetes

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

A study from China has discovered that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can counteract the side effect of statins, which is the tendency to induce glucose intolerance and diabetes.

Statins:

Statins are a class of medications that reduce illness and mortality in people who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. They are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs and are also known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Statins, widely prescribed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk by lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, have been linked to an increased diabetes risk despite their global prevalence as essential and top-selling medications.
Statins are on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines and among the most sold drugs worldwide.

Mechism behind induced glucose intolerance:

Statins can induce glucose intolerance and even lead to diabetes in some individuals. Despite these side effects, the benefits of statins are deemed to outweigh the risks, which has kept them in widespread use.
A study identified a mechanism behind this effect, involving the bile acid UDCA.
Researchers observed that individuals taking atorvastatin showed a decrease in Clostridium bacteria in their faeces and had altered bile acid profiles in their serum and faeces, suggesting a potential link to the development of glucose intolerance.

Gut microbiome:

Researchers have uncovered that a Clostridium-deficient gut microbiome, influenced by statins, may impair glucose metabolism by inhibiting hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases enzymes and reducing UDCA levels.
This was further explored through a study on mice over 12 weeks, suggesting that alterations in the gut microbiome could affect bile acid synthesis and glucose regulation.
A human trial with statin users given UDCA showed improved HbA1C levels, indicating better glucose homeostasis without affecting statins’ lipid-lowering benefits.

Source: TH

4. Will global forest expansion hit tribals?

Subject: Environment

Section: Int Convention

Context:

A symposium hosted by the University of Arizona focused on the Conservation, Racism, and Indigenous Peoples Human Rights, highlighting concerns regarding the impact of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act of 2023 on India’s tribes.
Participants warned that these measures, along with the establishment of national parks, could exacerbate challenges for indigenous communities, potentially leading to detrimental consequences.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was established during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN- CBD) in December 2022 after four years of consultations and negotiations.
It aims to guide the world towards living in harmony with nature by 2050,supporting sustainable development goals.
The framework sets four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, focusing on planning, monitoring, finance, capacity development, and technical cooperation, including agreements on digital sequence information on genetic resources.
One significant target (Target 3) highlighted by rights activist Suhas Chakma seeks to expand protected areas to cover at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial area, up from the current 16%, emphasizing areas crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

What are the implications?

The Symposium on Conservation, Racism, and Indigenous Peoples Human Rights raised concerns that the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) might inadvertently prioritize corporate interests over the rights and well-being of indigenous communities.
- Examples include indigenous peoples being denied basic rights (the right to housing, health, education, electricity, and security) in Indonesia’s Ujungkulon National Park and the conviction of an indigenous leader in Cambodiaunder dubious legal circumstances for farming her land.
- Moreover, significant portions of Cambodia’s Botum Sakor National Park have been sold to private entities.
The symposium criticized India’s Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act of 2023 for potentially allowing corporate exploitation under the guise of conservation through activities like zoos and ecotourism.
Protected areas (PAs) were originally designed for the leisure of colonial elites, a concept which has scarcely evolved, reducing indigenous communities to mere exhibits in modern conservation efforts.

What would GBF mean for India?

The implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in India poses a significant threat to the existence of indigenous communities, with about 84% of India’s national parks established in areas inhabited by these communities.
Activists highlight that meeting GBF targets could lead to the displacement of indigenous peoples.
For example, upgrading the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary to a tiger reserve would impact 162 tribal villages, and expanding the Nauradehi Sanctuary would affect 62 mostly tribal villages.
Additionally, the creation of the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is controversial, as despite official records claiming the area is free of encroachments, indigenous groups, like the Khasis, possess documents proving their long-standing residency since 1914.

What can be done to protect the tribal lands?

Need for the recognition of the right to free, prior, and informed consent as outlined in the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996 and making tribes the custodians of Protected Areas (PAs),acknowledging their crucial role in conserving nature.

Source: TH

5. What is the economic cost of Baltimore’s bridge collapse?

Subject: Geography

Section: Eco Geography

Context:

The Baltimore port’s closure could cost the economy $15m per day while insurers face up to $3bn in claims.

More on news:

The collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore earlier this week has led to the suspension of vessel traffic at the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest harbors in the United States.
Attacks on the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi group have reduced traffic traveling through the Suez Canal, through which some 15 percent of the world’s shipping traffic passes.
The Panama Canal, which handles 6 percent of the world’s maritime commerce, is experiencing decreasing water levels, reducing the canal’s capacity

About Baltimore bridge:

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was a steel arch continuous through a truss bridge that spanned the lower Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor / Port.
Ports in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Delaware; Newark, New Jersey; Norfolk; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; and Georgia (Savannah and Brunswick) also could see additional cargo.

Why is Port important?

The Port of Baltimore is the ninth largest US port in terms of overall trade volume.
It handles cargo including automobiles, machinery, agricultural equipment, liquefied natural gas and sugar.
The port processed 847,158 automobiles last year, according to figures from the state of Maryland. About 70 percent of these were imported.

6. Many countries yet to fully implement steps to prevent misuse of virtual assets, says FATF

Subject: IR

Section: Int Org

Context:

The FATF plenary had in February 2023 agreed on a road map to strengthen the implementation of its standards on virtual assets and VASPs.

More on news:

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has found that many countries are yet to fully implement its requirements aimed at preventing misuse of virtual assets and virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
The table includes all FATF members plus twenty jurisdictions with materially important VASP activity.
The countries which have explicitly prohibited the use of virtual assets and VASPs are China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while it is in progress in Seychelles and Indonesia.

About Virtual Assets:

Virtual assets (crypto assets) refer to any digital representation of value that can be digitally traded, transferred or used for payment.

Status of India:

India, a member country, has conducted a supervisory inspection or included VASPs in its current inspection plan.
India has taken enforcement action or other supervisory action against VASPs; and has passed or enacted the travel rule for VASPs.

About FATF:

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.
The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.

7. T.M. Krishna | The dissident vocalist

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

The Music Academy’s award of the Sangita Kalanidhi to the vocalist T.M. Krishna has opened up rifts within the Carnatic music community, which have escalated into a war of positions on social media, with prominent artists, writers, celebrities, and political figures stating their sides, along with their reasons for doing the same.
Critics of Krishna, irked as they are with his experimentation with Carnatic music and criticism of the community, were particularly aghast by a recent song he sang in praise of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy.

Idea of Music Academy:

The idea of a Music Academy originally emerged in the All-India Congress Session held in Madras in December 1927 as an institution that would set the standards for Carnatic music.
It was inaugurated the next year.
In 1929, it started hosting annual conferences on music, which in turn spawned the December music festival of Madras, known popularly as the Kutchery season.

About Sangeet Kalanidhi:

Sangeetha Kalanidhi is the title awarded yearly to a Carnatic musician by the Madras Music Academy.
The award is considered the highest accolade in the field of Carnatic music.
The idea of the award was conceived in 1942 by the then Academy President KV Krishnaswami Iyer.
In 1942, it was decided that the musician so invited would be conferred the title of Sangita Kalanidhi, the award comprising a gold medal and a birudupatra (citation).
On 1 January 1943, all musicians who had presided over the annual conferences between 1929 and 1942 were awarded the title.

About Carnatic Music:

Purandaradasa (1484-1564), a prolific poet-composer and mystic of Vijayanagar, is considered to be the father of Carnatic music (Carnatic Sangeetha Pitamaha).
Venkatamakhi is regarded as the grand theorist of Carnatic music.
In the 17th century AD, he developed “Melakarta”, the system for classifying south Indian ragas. There are 72 Melakartas at present.
Tyagaraja (1767-1847), his contemporaries SyamaSastri and MuttusvamiDikshitar are together known as the “Trinity” of Carnatic music.
Composed of a system of Ragam (Raga) and Thalam (Tala), it has a rich history and tradition.
Carnatic Sangeet has developed in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
These states are known for their strong presentation of Dravidian culture.

Periyar:

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy was born in 1879 in Erode, then a part of the Coimbatore district of the Madras Presidency.
He later came to be called “Periyar”, which in Tamil means ‘respected one’ or ‘elder’. He was also popularly referred to as Thanthai Periyar.
He was a respected Indian social activist and politician who started the Self-Respect Movement and the political party DravidarKazhagam. He is also known as the ‘Father of modern Tamilnadu’.
His works against the Bhraminical dominance, oppression of women in Tamil Nadu, caste prevalence are exemplary.
Periyar promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights and eradication of caste. He opposed the exploitation and marginalisation of the people of South India and the imposition of what he considered Indo-Aryan India
In the year 1919, E.V. Ramasamy joined the Indian National Congress (INC) but resigned in 1925 when he started feeling that only the interests of the few elite sections of society were being catered to by the party.
In 1924, Periyar participated in a non-violent satyagraha in Vaikom in Kerala.
From 1929 to 1932, he travelled to British Malaya, Europe, and Russia which had a great influence on him.
In 1939, E.V. Ramasamy became the head of the Justice Party, changed its name to DravidarKazhagam in 1944.
The party later split with one group led by C. N. Annadurai forming the DravidaMunnetraKazhagam (DMK) in 1949.
He advocated for a separate, independent “Land of Dravidians” – Dravida Nadu while continuing the Self-Respect Movement