Daily Prelims Notes 4 November 2024

November 4, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

4 November 2024

Table Of Contents

1. CHAC 2024 adopts Harare Declaration on Africa’s climate health

Sub : Env

Sec: Int Conventions

Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC):

Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024 was organized by Centre for Sexual Health, HIV and AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the WHO Regional Office for Africa, among other partners.
CHAC 2024 concluded with the Harare Declaration, a commitment to strengthen climate resilience within Africa’s health systems and address climate-related health impacts.
Harare Declaration includes a guide for African countries to proactively develop health systems resilient to climate change by leveraging scientific, local, and traditional knowledge, and enhancing policy leadership.

Key Points of the Declaration:

Call for Collaborative Action:
- Encourages governments, academia, funding bodies, and civil society to combat climate-related health issues.
- Emphasizes a public health emergency approach for climate change, involving strengthened health sector frameworks to protect and engage health workers.
Investment in Research and Knowledge Generation:
- Promotes studies on the impacts of climate change on African health and identification of effective interventions.
- Highlights the importance of inclusive dialogue between science, policy, and communities.
Surveillance and Early Warning Systems:
- Calls for improved systems to monitor climate-related health risks, enabling timely responses.
Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems:
- WHO reports a rise in climate-sensitive diseases, such as malaria (14% increase in 2023) and cholera, exacerbated by natural disasters, malnutrition, and displacement.
- Recommends upgrades to health infrastructure and training of the health workforce to better manage climate impacts.
- Emphasizes community engagement and the integration of local knowledge in health resilience efforts.
Research Partnerships and Funding:
- Advocates for equitable research partnerships and enhanced funding for climate-health initiatives in Africa.

2. Coastal Zone Management Plan of Kerala: Impacts, Changes, and Implications

Sub : Env

Sec :Env legislation /Law

Why in News

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) recently approved the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) for 10 coastal districts of Kerala. This approval marks a significant shift in regulations impacting development and environmental conservation in the state.

About Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP):

The CZMP aims to regulate development in coastal areas in accordance with the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019.

The plan encompasses the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

This approval enables Kerala to utilize relaxed CRZ rules for development, including construction on the seaward side.

Any applications for CRZ clearance post-approval will adhere to the CRZ Notification, 2019.

This step aligns with the government’s broader effort to conserve coastal environments, support local communities, and promote sustainable development, considering the risks of natural hazards and rising sea levels due to global warming.

About Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019:

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2019 was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with the objective of balancing conservation and development along India’s coastal areas. Below are the important aspects and facts relevant to CRZ 2019:

Key Changes from CRZ 2011:

Reduced No Development Zone (NDZ):

For CRZ-III (A) areas (densely populated rural areas with a population density of more than 2,161 persons per sq. km as per the 2011 Census), the NDZ has been reduced from 200 meters to 50 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL).

For CRZ-III (B) areas (less densely populated), the NDZ remains at 200 meters.

CRZ 2019 simplifies the clearance processes for certain development activities, thereby making it easier for coastal states to implement development projects.

CRZ Categories:

CRZ-I: Ecologically sensitive areas like mangroves, coral reefs, and protected coastal ecosystems. Minimal activities are permitted here, such as defense and strategic infrastructure.

CRZ-II: Areas that are developed up to or close to the shoreline. Construction in this zone is permitted on the landward side of existing roads or authorized structures.

CRZ-III: Rural and relatively undeveloped coastal areas. The NDZ applies based on the population density classification:

CRZ-III (A): High population density areas with reduced NDZ.

CRZ-III (B): Low population density areas with an NDZ of 200 meters.

CRZ-IV: Water area up to 12 nautical miles into the sea and the area of the tide-influenced water bodies.

Provisions for Development:

Construction related to defence and strategic purposes is allowed in CRZ-I with proper clearances.

Temporary tourism facilities like shacks and eco-friendly hotels are allowed in CRZ-II and CRZ-III under regulated conditions.

Special provisions for housing and basic amenities for fishing and other coastal communities are included to ensure their welfare.

Mangroves and Their Importance in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019:

Mangroves are critical components of coastal ecosystems, playing a significant role in environmental stability and the livelihoods of coastal communities. The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 2019 Notification includes several provisions related to mangroves, impacting how they are managed and protected. Here is an in-depth look at the mangrove-related aspects of CRZ 2019:

About Mangroves:

Mangroves are the plant communities occurring in inter-tidal zones along the coasts of tropical and subtropical countries.

Mangrove forests perform multiple ecological functions such as production of woody trees; provision of habitat, food, and spawning grounds for fin-fish and shellfish; provision of habitat for birds and other valuable fauna; protection of coastlines and accretion of sediment to form new land.

Mangrove plants have several unique adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh environments. Mangroves are extremely important to the coastal ecosystems they inhabit.

CRZ 2019 Provisions for Mangroves:

The CRZ 2019 notification stipulates a 50-meter buffer zone for mangroves located on government land that is over 1,000 sq. meters in area. This zone must remain undisturbed to protect mangrove patches.

One of the most significant changes under CRZ 2019 is the removal of mandatory buffer zones for mangroves located on private land holdings. This contrasts with CRZ 2011, which imposed strict regulations to ensure mangrove protection regardless of ownership.

3. How Cyber Scams Leverage Social Engineering and Malicious APKs to Defraud Users

Sub : Sci

Sec :Awareness in IT

Why in News

Cyber scams involving social engineering and the use of malicious apps have been on the rise in India, resulting in significant financial losses.

Scam Mechanism Explained:

Initiation: The scam began with the victim receiving a link to download an APK shared through a WhatsApp business account linked to an international number.

APK Installation: The APK appeared legitimate and required the user to grant screen mirroring access during a video call.

Unauthorized Transactions: After installation, the scammers executed unauthorized financial transactions using the victim’s credit card.

Call Forwarding: Contacts of the victim reported an unknown person answering calls, likely due to the activation of call forwarding by the malicious app.

Scam Website: The URL used for the scam mimicked legitimate websites and was shared via messaging apps. This fake site was among top search results, revealing gaps in search engine verification.

About APK (Android Package Kit): It is a file format used by the Android operating system to distribute and install applications on mobile devices. It contains all the elements needed for an app to be correctly installed, including the code, resources, assets, certificates, and manifest file.

Scale of Cybercrime in India:

In 2023, India reported losses amounting to ₹66.66 crore across 4,850 online scam cases. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) highlighted those digital financial frauds in the last three years totalled an alarming ₹1.25 lakh crore.

Reports by National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP): The NCRP recorded losses of at least ₹10,319 crore from digital fraud in 2023 alone, with 5,252 suspect URLs being reported.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance reported that domestic fraud in FY23, as reported by Supervising Entities, totalled ₹2,537.35 crore. The increase in scams has been attributed to a combination of advanced technical knowledge, social engineering, and data leaks.

India ranked fifth globally in the number of breached accounts in 2023, with 5.3 million accounts compromised.

Social engineering scams, powered by increasingly sophisticated technical expertise, continue to pose a significant threat. Users must be vigilant when dealing with unverified links, apps, and QR codes.

About Social engineering:

It is a manipulation technique used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing confidential or personal information, often through deceptive tactics.

This method relies on exploiting human psychology rather than hacking systems directly, using tactics such as impersonation, phishing, and pretexting to gain the victim’s trust or prompt immediate action that compromises security.

Preventative Measures for Users:

Avoid Clicking on Unverified Links: Users should only click on trusted sources and avoid installing apps shared via unsolicited messages.

Regular Security Checks: It is crucial to periodically check for compromised passwords and review bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.

Caution with QR Codes: Scanning random QR codes can be risky, as scammers often use them to execute fraudulent activities.

4. First Science Findings from Aditya-L1: A Breakthrough in Solar Research

Sub : Sci

Sec :Space sector

Why in News

The Aditya-L1 mission, India’s pioneering space endeavour to study the sun, has delivered its first significant scientific result. This milestone showcases India’s advances in solar research and space technology.

About Aditya-L1 Mission:

The ADITYA-L1 mission is dedicated to studying the Sun and will fly approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth to the Lagrange point 1 (L1), one of the five favourable spots for observing the Sun.

The mission is expected to be launched using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket.

It will provide regular images and updates on the Sun’s surface phenomena and space weather.

Primary Instrument: The mission features the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC).

Objective: The mission aims to observe and analyse solar phenomena, including coronal mass ejections (CMEs), to enhance understanding of solar activity and its impact on space weather.

What is VELC?

The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the largest payload on the Aditya-L1 mission. It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of simultaneous imaging, spectroscopy, and Spectro-polarimetry close to the solar limb.

The VELC includes:

Coronagraph: Blocks direct sunlight to observe the corona.
Spectrograph: Analyses light to identify elements and measure various physical conditions.
Polarimetry Module: Measures the polarization of light to study magnetic fields.
Detectors and Auxiliary Optics: Capture and process images and data.

VELC is built by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) at its CREST (Centre for Research and Education in Science and Technology) campus in Hosakote, Karnataka.

Purpose:

Observe the Solar Corona: The tenuous outermost layer of the solar atmosphere.

Analyze Coronal Conditions: Temperature, plasma velocity, and density.

Study Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs): Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields.

Examine Solar Wind: The continuous flow of charged particles from the sun.

About Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs):

What are CMEs – Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona.

Composition: Particle radiation (mostly protons and electrons) and strong magnetic fields.

Speed: CMEs travel at very high speeds, often hundreds of kilometres per second.

Impact: CMEs can create shocks that ripple through the solar system and potentially disrupt satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth.

The Aditya-L1 mission, equipped with VELC and other payloads, aims to provide unprecedented insights into solar phenomena such as CMEs, thereby enhancing our understanding of the Sun’s impact on space weather and terrestrial technologies.

5. Recalling Laika, the first living creature to orbit the earth in Sputnik 2

sub : sci

sec : space sector

Context:

On November 3, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, marking a significant milestone in space exploration by sending the first living creature into orbit, a dog named Laika.
The flight, which was meant to test the safety of space travel for humans, ended up being a one-way trip for Laika.

About the Sputnik 2 mission:

Thes mission followed the successful launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, which was a simple satellite that emitted beeping signals.
The launch of the mission coincided with the 40th anniversary of Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution. Sputnik 2 remained in orbit for five months.

Laika: The first living creature in orbit

Laika was a stray dog picked up from the streets of Moscow just one week prior to the launch. Originally named Kudryavka, which means “Little Curly,” she was later renamed Laika, meaning “Husky” or “Barker” in Russian.
Weighing about 6 kg, Laika was chosen for her small size, calm demeanour, and obedience.
Soviet scientists preferred female dogs for their anatomical suitability for confinement during the mission, that are brightly coloured (so video footage of them would be clearer).

Objectives of sending Laika to space:

The primary objective of sending Laika into orbit was to gather data on how living organisms react to space conditions, such as microgravity and the stresses of space travel and analyse the ability to survive long periods of weightlessness.
Prior to human flights, both American and Soviet scientists employed animals, mainly monkeys, chimpanzees, and dogs in experiments to understand the physiological impacts of space travel.
Laika’s mission was intended to provide insights that would ultimately facilitate human space exploration.

Conditions of the Mission:

Laika was placed in a pressurized cabin equipped with a system for air regeneration, which provided oxygen and food in a gelatinized form.
Although the capsule allowed her some room to move, Laika experienced significant distress during the flight. Initial reports indicated that she was agitated.
Laika was not intended to return to Earth. It was estimated that she would run out of oxygen after about ten days. However, due to overheating in the capsule, it is believed she died within one to two days after the launch.

Mission outcome:

Despite her short life, Laika’s mission contributed valuable data on the effects of space travel on living beings. The success of Sputnik 2 helped pave the way for human spaceflight, culminating in Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight in 1961.

6. On the growth track: What Australian varsity study says about impact of India’s Dedicated Freight Corridors

sub :Eco

sec : Infrastructure

Context:

A recent study by Australia’s University of New South Wales highlights the positive impact of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) on India’s economy and the Indian Railways’ revenue.

Study and findings:

The study analysed data from the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) and utilized a Computable General Equilibrium model initiated by the central government.
The study found that DFCs have reduced freight costs and travel times, leading to a decrease in commodity prices by up to 0.5%.
Additionally, DFCs contributed 94% to the revenue growth of Indian Railways between FY 2018–19 and FY 2022–23.

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs):

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) are specific routes for freight transportation, which offer higher transport capacity due to the faster transit of freight trains, running of double stack container trains, and heavy haul trains.
This improves the supply chain for the industries/logistics players located at economic centres along the way, leading to growth of export-import traffic too.
The DFC initiative was first announced in Parliament during the Railway Budget for FY 2005-06, with the foundation stones for Eastern and Western corridors laid in 2006.

Key DFC Projects:

Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC): Spanning 1,337 km from Sonnagar in Bihar to Sahnewal in Punjab. It is complete and operational, with feeder routes connected to coal mines and thermal power plants.
Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC): Covering 1,506 km from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal in Mumbai to Dadri in Uttar Pradesh. As of now, it is 93% commissioned, with feeder routes serving major cement plants and ports in Gujarat, expected to be fully operational by December 2025.

Need for DFCs:

Overutilization of Existing Rail Network: The existing railway routes, particularly the golden quadrilateral linking Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Howrah, were overburdened, carrying more than 52% of passenger traffic and 58% of revenue-generating freight traffic despite constituting only 16% of the rail network.
Declining Freight Traffic Share: The Indian Railways’ share of total freight traffic was decreasing, prompting the National Rail Plan to target a rail freight share of 45% by 2030.

Recent Developments:

In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three new stretches of the DFC: 135-km Makarpura-Sachin section on the WDFC, 179-km Sahnewal-Pilkhani section and 222-km Pilkhani-Khurja section on the EDFC.

Current Status:

Currently, an average of 325 freight trains operate daily on the DFCs, representing a 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Since their inception, the DFCs have facilitated the transportation of over 232 billion Gross Tonne Kilometres (GTKMs) and 122 billion Net Ton Kilometres (NTKMs).
DFCs now handle over 10% of the total freight traffic of Indian Railways.

Proposed Corridors:

East Coast Corridor: Kharagpur to Vijayawada (1,115 km).
East-West Sub-Corridor I: Palghar to Dankuni (2,073 km).
East-West Sub-Corridor II: Rajkharsawan to Andal (195 km).
North-South Sub-Corridor: Vijayawada to Itarsi (975 km).

7. First Asian Buddhist summit to be held in Delhi from November 5 to 6

sub :History

sec : Art and Culture

Context:

The Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), is organizing the first Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) in New Delhi from November 5 to 6.

About the Summit:

The theme of the summit is Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia, reflecting India’s Act East Policy aimed at promoting collective, inclusive, and spiritual development in the region.
The summit will be inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu.
It will gather Buddhist leaders, scholars, experts, and practitioners from various traditions across Asia to foster dialogue, enhance mutual understanding, and address contemporary challenges faced by the Buddhist community.
It also aims to enhance awareness of Buddhist heritage and its contributions to creating a more compassionate, sustainable, and peaceful world.

Key Themes:

Buddhist art, architecture, and heritage.
Buddha Cārikā (travels of the Buddha) and the dissemination of Buddha Dhamma.
Role of Holy Buddhist Relics and its Relevance in Society
The significance of Buddha Dhamma in scientific research and well-being.
The role of Buddhist literature and philosophy in the 21st century.

Special Exhibition:

A special exhibition titled “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) connecting Asia” will be curated in conjunction with the summit, showcasing India’s role in connecting diverse Buddhist traditions across the continent.

Previous Engagements:

Last year, a group of Buddhist scholars from 11 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, participated in the Buddha Bhoomi Vandan Yatra program organized by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR).
This initiative allowed young scholars to explore significant Buddhist sites in India and engage with experts to deepen their understanding of India’s rich Buddhist heritage.

8. Why is the Reserve bank bringing back its gold assets to India?

Sub: Eco

Sec: External Sector

RBI’s Gold Repatriation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repatriated nearly 130 metric tonnes of gold held at the Bank of England over the last two and a half years.
Gold brought back from overseas has resulted in a 60 per cent increase in the RBI’s domestic gold holding in the same period
This shift aims to increase the RBI’s domestic gold holdings and reduce dependency on foreign storage.

Increase in Domestic Gold Holdings:

RBI’s domestic gold stock rose to 46 metric tonnes by September 2024, up from 295.82 metric tonnes in March 2022.
A significant portion (324 metric tonnes) remains with the Bank of England.

Overall Increase in Total Gold Reserves:

RBI added 85.13 metric tonnes to its reserves since March 2022, resulting in total gold reserves reaching 854.73 metric tonnes by September 2024.
Reserve Bank has been buying gold as a part of its reserves management, and the quantum held outside was going up.
This represents a rise in the valuation of gold holdings due to increased gold prices globally.

Why is gold shipped back to India:

The RBI cited increased physical storage capacity as a reason for bringing gold back to India, focusing on securing its gold domestically.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das indicated that while some gold will remain abroad, domestic storage has been prioritized.
The RBI purchases gold from international sources, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The gold purchased by the RBI is kept with the Bank of England.

Historical Context:

Historically, India has kept most of its gold reserves in foreign central banks (e.g., Bank of England) for safekeeping.
In 1991, during a balance of payments crisis, India shipped 47 tonnes of gold to Bank of England to secure international loans.

Geopolitical Risks:

The RBI’s move aligns with a global trend where central banks are increasing domestic gold reserves due to geopolitical uncertainties and rising inflation.
Sanctions on Russia following the Ukraine conflict influenced central banks to strengthen local reserves.

India’s Gold Purchases and External Holdings:

India continues to buy gold internationally, supported by institutions like the IMF and the World Bank.
The recent increase in India’s foreign exchange reserves adds strength to its gold holdings.

Global Trends in Central Bank Gold Buying:

The Bank of England has one of the world’s largest gold vaults. It is the second-largest custodian of gold in the world, after the New York Federal Reserve.
Almost all the central banks in the world have kept their gold in the safe custody of the Bank of England— its gold vaults hold around4lakh bars of gold. Moreover, there’s a cost involved in safe-keeping of gold abroad
Central banks worldwide, especially from emerging economies, are buying gold as a hedge against inflation and geopolitical instability.
The Bank of Baroda’s Chief Economist highlighted that gold purchases offer security against dollar volatility and enhance financial stability.

This summary captures key points from the article relevant to the topics of Indian economy, RBI’s monetary policy, and geopolitical economic strategies, which are useful for UPSC exam preparation.