Daily Prelims Notes 4 January 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

4 January 2025

Table Of Contents

1. India Protests China’s New Counties in Ladakh and Mega Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo
2. Monitoring the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): India’s Preparedness Amid China’s Outbreak
3. Explained: India’s emissions inventory & efforts at mitigation
4. IT Ministry Notifies Draft Rules on Data Protection Law, Seeks Feedback by Feb. 18

1. India Protests China’s New Counties in Ladakh and Mega Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

• India has lodged a formal protest with China over the establishment of two new counties in Hotan Prefecture, which include parts of Ladakh under illegal Chinese occupation. Additionally, India has raised concerns regarding China’s announcement of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, which could affect downstream states in India.

Territorial Dispute: The Aksai Chin region, part of Ladakh, has been under Chinese control since the 1962 war. It remains a contentious point in India-China relations.

New Counties in Ladakh:

• China has created two new counties, He’an County and Hekang County, in the Hotan Prefecture, which overlaps with Aksai Chin, a region claimed by India but under Chinese control.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that it has “never accepted” China’s illegal occupation of Indian territory.

Hotan Prefecture:

• Hotan Prefecture is a significant administrative division in the southern part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
• Lies along the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the southern rim of the Tarim Basin.
• Shares borders with the disputed region of Aksai Chin, under Chinese control but claimed by India.
• Includes vast desert areas, notably the Taklamakan Desert, and mountainous regions.
• The Hotan River (formed by the Yurungkash and Karakash rivers) is a prominent water source, though seasonal.
• Hotan was a critical hub on the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade between China, Central Asia, and beyond.
• The majority population comprises Uyghurs, along with Han Chinese and other ethnic groups.
• Includes several counties like Hotan, Pishan, and now the newly established He’an County and Hekang County.
• The prefecture is strategically located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between India and China.
• China National Highway 219 (G219) passes through Hotan and Aksai Chin, connecting Xinjiang to Tibet. This highway is a crucial military and logistical route.
• Jade Production: Renowned for its Hotan jade, considered one of the finest in the world.
• He’an County: Situated in the southwestern part of Xinjiang, He’an County lies within Hotan Prefecture. It is the southernmost county-level division of Xinjiang and administers part of the disputed Aksai Chin region.
• Hekang County: Also part of Hotan Prefecture in southwestern Xinjiang, Hekang County administers a portion of the Aksai Chin region.

China’s Mega Dam on Yarlung Tsangpo:

• China announced plans to construct a mega hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, known as the Brahmaputra in India.
• The dam, located in the deep gorges of the eastern Himalayas, is set to surpass the scale of the Three Gorges Dam, making it the largest infrastructure project globally.
• India, as a lower riparian state, fears potential harm to water flow and downstream ecology in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Brahmaputra River:

• Brahmaputra river system is one of the largest rivers in the world. In the Tibet region, it is known by the name of Yarlung Tsangpo.
• It enters by the names of Siang and Dihang in India. And after it is joined by its two main tributaries, the Dibang and the Lohit, it is known by the name of Brahmaputra.
• In Tibet, it runs parallel to the Himalayas for about 1,200 km. It turns into the south and creates a deep gorge through the Himalayas near Namcha Barwa and enters India under the name of the Dihang.
• It flows in Bangladesh by the name of Jumna. Finally, it merges with the Ganga river.
• The world’s largest riverine island, Majuli Island is on the Brahmaputra River in the state of Assam. Important cities along Brahmaputra are Dibrugarh, Pasighat, Neamati, Tezpur and Guwahati.
• The Brahmaputra River rises from Chemayundung glacier of the Kailash range near the Mansarovar Lake to the north of the Himalayas in the southwest Tibet region.
• The Brahmaputra drains into the Bay of Bengal before forming a huge delta along with the Ganga.

2. Monitoring the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV): India’s Preparedness Amid China’s Outbreak

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

• The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring reports of a rise in Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China.

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV):

• Discovered in 2001 by Dutch researchers.
• Belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
• Known to cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in vulnerable populations.
• Symptoms: Cough, fever, shortness of breath. Severe cases may lead to bronchitis or pneumonia.
• Demographics: Majorly affects children under 14 years.
• Previous Outbreaks: Documented cases in the U.S., Canada, and Europe during 2011-12.
• India’s Response: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is actively tracking respiratory illnesses, including influenza and HMPV. No reported cases of HMPV as of now, according to Director-General of Health Services.
• Transmission Mode: Spreads via respiratory droplets, close contact, or contaminated surfaces.
• No specialized antiviral drugs are required, and standard care is sufficient for mild to moderate cases.

Bronchitis:

• Inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) leading to excessive mucus production and breathing difficulties.
• Acute Bronchitis: Short-term, often caused by viral infections.
• Chronic Bronchitis: Long-term, a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
• Symptoms:
  • Persistent cough with mucus (sputum).
  • Wheezing and chest discomfort.
  • Fatigue and shortness of breath.
• Causes: Viruses (e.g., influenza, rhinovirus), Smoking, air pollution, workplace irritants.
• Treatment: Bronchodilators, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy.

Pneumonia:

• Infection of one or both lungs causing inflammation in the alveoli (air sacs), often filled with fluid or pus.
• Types:
  • Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP).
  • Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP).
  • Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP).
• Symptoms: High fever, chills, and sweating. Cough with green, yellow, or bloody mucus. Shortness of breath, chest pain during breathing.
• Causes:
  • Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae.
  • Viruses: Influenza, SARS-CoV-2.
  • Fungi: Common in immunocompromised individuals.
• Treatment: Antibiotics, Supportive care, antiviral medications, Antifungal medications.

3. Explained: India’s emissions inventory & efforts at mitigation

Sub : Env

Sec: Climate change

Why in news:

• India’s Biennial Update Report (BUR-4), submitted to the UNFCCC.

Biennial Update Report (BUR):

• The Biennial Update Report (BUR) is a report submitted every two years by developing countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to meet their obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement.
• The BUR provides an overview of national circumstances, socio-economic factors, and the country’s climate action efforts.
• It includes a detailed inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, their sources, and natural sinks, along with updates on mitigation actions, measurement methods, and financial, technological, and capacity-building support received.

BUR-4 Highlights:

• Emissions Intensity Reduction: India’s BUR-4 highlights that from 2005 to 2020, India reduced its emissions intensity of GDP by 36%. GDP emission intensity refers to the GHG emissions per unit of economic output.
• Total GHG Emissions: In 2020, India’s total GHG emissions amounted to 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. After accounting for absorption by forestry sector and land resources, the net emissions were 2,437 million tonnes. Although the total emissions in 2020 showed a 7.93% decrease compared to 2019, emissions have increased by 98.34% since 1994.
• Emissions Breakdown: The main contributors to GHG emissions include:
  • CO2 emissions: 80.53%
  • Methane emissions: 13.32%
  • Nitrous oxide emissions: 5.13%
• Sectoral Contributions to Emissions:
  • Energy sector: 75.66% of emissions, with electricity production alone accounting for 39%.
  • Agriculture: 13.72%
  • Industrial Process and Product Use: 8.06%

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs):

India updated its NDCs in 2022, which include:

• Reducing GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
• Achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• Creating an additional carbon sink of 5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2030.
• India has also committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2070.

Progress on Key Targets:

• As of October 2024, India achieved 52% of its electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
• From 2005 to 2021, India has created an additional carbon sink of 29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
• Additionally, the country has achieved significant energy savings in industries through the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, reducing CO2 emissions in various sectors.
• However, challenges like slow technology transfer and intellectual property rights are hindering progress.

4. IT Ministry Notifies Draft Rules on Data Protection Law, Seeks Feedback by Feb. 18

Sub: Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Context: The Union government on Friday (January 3, 2025) evening released the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 for public feedback, which aim to enforce the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

About Data Protection

In the 2017 Puttaswamy judgment, the Supreme Court of India recognized the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
The judgment addressed concerns about the protection of digital personal data, particularly in the context of Aadhaar, a biometric identification number for Indian residents.

About the DPDP Act

1. Evolution of the DPDP Act

• The foundation of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act can be traced back to the report by the Expert Committee chaired by Justice B.N. Srikrishna. This report laid the groundwork for the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, was subsequently approved by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

2. Key Provisions of the Act

->Stakeholders:

• Data Principal (DP): The data owner.
• Data Fiduciary: An entity that collects, stores, and shares data.
• The Central Government: Responsible for notifying any Data Fiduciary or class of Data Fiduciaries as Significant Data Fiduciaries.
• Data Processor: An entity that processes data on behalf of a Data Fiduciary.
• Data Protection Officer (DPO): An individual appointed by a Data Fiduciary under the provisions of the Act.

->Establishment of the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI):

•  It will function as an independent regulator with the authority to identify violations of the Act’s provisions and enforce penalties as appropriate.

->Rights of the Data Principal:

•  Individuals are entitled to the right to information, the right to correction and erasure, the right to grievance redressal, and the right to appoint another person to exercise these rights in case of their death or incapacity.

->Penalties:

• Financial penalties may range up to ₹250 crores for a Data Fiduciary.
• The Act does not impose criminal penalties.

What the New Rules Will Clarify

• Structure and Functions of the Data Protection Board (DPB): Clear guidelines on its operations.
• Complaint Filing and Appeals: Procedures for users to file complaints or appeal DPB decisions.
• User Data Requests: Timelines and processes for users to request access to or deletion of their data-by-Data Fiduciaries.
• Consent Withdrawal: Timelines for Data Fiduciaries to erase personal data when consent is withdrawn.
• Parental Consent for Minors’ Data: Guidelines for obtaining and managing parental consent.
• Data Breach Notifications: Requirements for notifying users in case of a data breach.
• Conditions for Consent Managers: Technical, operational, and financial requirements for entities handling user consent.