Daily Prelims Notes 5 December 2024

December 5, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

5 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Telangana hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake: Here’s why it is unusual

Sub : Geo

Sec : Physical Geo

Context:

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 struck Telangana’s Mulugu district, causing tremors in Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Earthquake Details:
- Magnitude: The earthquake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.
- Affected Areas: Tremors were felt in Mulugu district, Hyderabad, and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Impact: There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, though locals experienced panic.
Seismic Zones in India:
- India is divided into four seismic zones:
  - Zone II: Low seismic activity (Telangana falls under this zone).
  - Zone III: Moderate seismic activity.
  - Zone IV: High seismic activity.
  - Zone V: Very high seismic activity.
- Zone V: Covers about 11% of India, with 18% in Zone IV and 30% in Zone III. The remaining 41% of the country is in Zone II, which includes Telangana.
- Seismic Vulnerability:
- Approximately 59% of India is prone to earthquakes of varying intensities.
Why the Telangana Earthquake Is Unusual:
- Seismic Classification: Zone II (where Telangana lies) typically experiences low-intensity earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 5.0.
- Magnitude of 5.3: The 5.3 magnitude of the Mulugu earthquake is unusually high for Zone II areas.
- Geological Context: Telangana is part of the Indian Peninsular Shield, which consists of ancient, stable rock formations with little tectonic activity compared to regions near plate boundaries, like the Himalayas.
- Rare High-Magnitude Earthquakes: While minor tremors may occur due to localized stress or human activities (such as mining), significant natural earthquakes in such stable regions are extremely rare.

Measurement of Earthquake:

Richter Scale (Magnitude):

Purpose: Measures the magnitude of an earthquake, which indicates the total energy released during the event.
Scale: The Richter scale is logarithmic, meaning that for each whole number increase on the scale, the earthquake’s magnitude increases by a factor of 10 in amplitude and roughly 32 times more energy is released.
Range: Earthquakes typically range from 1.0 (micro) to 9.0+ (mega).
- Minor Earthquakes: Magnitude 3.0 – 3.9
- Light Earthquakes: Magnitude 4.0 – 4.9
- Moderate Earthquakes: Magnitude 5.0 – 5.9
- Strong Earthquakes: Magnitude 6.0 – 6.9
- Major Earthquakes: Magnitude 7.0 – 7.9
- Great Earthquakes: Magnitude 8.0+
Limitations: The Richter scale is less accurate for large earthquakes (magnitude above 7.0) and is less commonly used today for large events.

Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw):

Purpose: A more accurate and modern way of measuring the magnitude of large earthquakes (especially those above magnitude 7.0).
Scale: Like the Richter scale, it is logarithmic but considers more factors, including the fault length, fault slip, and rock properties.
- Provides a more reliable measure of an earthquake’s energy release, especially for large-scale events.
Range: Similar to the Richter scale, but preferred for measuring very large earthquakes.

Mercalli Intensity Scale (Intensity):

Purpose: Measures the intensity or effects of an earthquake at specific locations, based on human perception, structural damage, and ground shaking.
Scale: The Mercalli scale is subjective and varies by location, as the effects of an earthquake can differ greatly depending on distance from the epicenter, local geology, and building structures.
- The scale ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).
Limitations: The Mercalli scale is influenced by subjective reports and human perception, making it less precise than the magnitude scales for comparison across different events.

Body-Wave Magnitude (Mb):

Purpose: Measures the magnitude of seismic waves that travel through the Earth’s interior (body waves), such as the P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves).
Application: Typically used for distant earthquakes, where body waves are the first to arrive and can provide early data on the earthquake’s size.

Surface-Wave Magnitude (Ms):

Purpose: Measures the magnitude based on surface waves, which are the seismic waves that travel along the Earth’s surface.
Application: Used mainly for larger earthquakes with surface effects, especially those that are felt on the ground.

The Shindo Scale (Japan):

Purpose: Used primarily in Japan to measure the intensity of an earthquake’s ground shaking, much like the Mercalli scale.
Scale: Ranges from 1 to 7:
- 1: Not felt by people, or only a slight shaking.
- 7: Severe shaking, causing total destruction in affected areas.

2. 75% global population to be affected by drought in 25 years: UNCCD’s ‘Drought Atlas’ provides adaptation guidelines

Sub : Geo

Sec : Climatology

Context:

World Drought Atlas is launched by the UNCCD & European Commission JRC

Key Findings from the Atlas:

Projected Impact by 2050: 75% of the global population will be affected by droughts by 2050.
Purpose & Context:
- The atlas was co-produced by:
  - Cima Research Foundation (Italy)
  - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands)
  - UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (Germany)
Human Factors & Drought Amplification:
- Droughts are influenced by both natural and human factors. Human activities like poor land and water management can worsen the effects of droughts.
- Key factors exacerbating drought impacts include:
  - Unsustainable water use
  - Water competition across sectors
  - Poor land management
  - Inadequate water resource accounting
The Importance of Data:
- Proper monitoring and forecasting systems are crucial for managing drought risks.
- Data sharing will play a key role in reducing the damage caused by droughts.

Specific Impact on India:

Drought-Related Crop Failures:
- The atlas highlighted the risk of crop failures in India, particularly a significant loss of soybean yield due to drought.
Chennai’s Water Crisis:
- Chennai’s 2019 ‘Day Zero’ incident was cited as an example of how mismanagement of water resources and urbanization led to a severe water crisis.
- Despite receiving over 1,400 mm of rainfall annually, unplanned urban growth and poor implementation of rainwater harvesting laws resulted in depleted groundwater levels, pushing the city towards a drought-like situation.
- This highlights that droughts are not always natural phenomena; human actions can significantly influence their occurrence and severity.
Wider Implications for India:
- Between 2020 and 2023, India saw riots and tensions linked to water mismanagement, indicating how water scarcity can trigger social unrest.

Global and Policy Call to Action:

Urgency for Policy Action:
- The atlas stresses the need for urgent action at the policy level to address and mitigate drought impacts.
- International cooperation and commitments across sectors are vital.

3. Single brand, 30,000 Krishi Sakhis and ‘easier’ certification for farmers: What’s new in natural farming guidelines

Sub : Geo

Sec : Physical Geo

About the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)

Scheme Details:
- A centrally sponsored scheme under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW).
- Total Outlay: ₹2,481 crore
  - ₹1,584 crore from the Union government.
  - ₹897 crore from state governments.

Key Highlights of the NMNF Guidelines:

Mission Objective:
- Promote natural farming in a mission mode.
- Reduce dependency on chemical inputs across the country.
- Foster a mass movement (jan bhagidari) for natural farming through location-specific solutions.
Guidelines Focus:
- Common standards for natural farming backed by scientific support.
- Farmer-friendly certification procedures for natural farming produce.
- Creation of two bodies: one for policymaking and another for implementation.
- Training of 30,000 Krishi Sakhis (community resource persons) to assist farmers.
Certification & Branding:
- Single national brand for chemical-free, naturally grown produce.
Not yet published on the ministry’s website but shared with state governments for feedback.

Scope of the NMNF

Target Areas:
- 750,000 hectares to be converted to natural farming.
- 10 million farmers across 15,000 clusters in willing Gram Panchayats (GPs).
- Pilot clusters will be created to train farmers in natural farming practices, with 50 hectares per cluster and around 125 farmers (with a maximum of 1 acre per farmer).
Data Monitoring:
- IT portal to track progress, monitor impact, and collect real-time data for policy support.

Governance Structure

The mission will be overseen by three key bodies:

National Steering Committee (NSC):
- Chaired by MoA&FW.
- Responsible for policy direction and overall monitoring of the mission’s progress.
National Executive Committee (NEC):
- In charge of the mission’s implementation and ensuring its success.
Natural Farming (NF) Cell:
- Headed by a Joint Secretary from the Integrated Nutrient Management Division.
- Responsible for execution, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluating impacts across the country.
- Provides support to states, central institutions, and stakeholders.

Role of Krishi Sakhis:

30,000 Krishi Sakhis will play a critical role in scaling up NF practices:
- Trained to provide extension services to farmers.
- Raise community awareness and mobilize farmers to adopt natural farming.
- Training: Krishi Sakhis will receive hands-on training from experts at KVKs or agricultural universities.
- Cluster Formation: Teams of two Krishi Sakhis will mobilize 125 farmers per cluster to adopt NF practices at the beginning of each crop season.

Source: DTE

4. RBI Monetary Policy: CRR Cut in Focus

Sub : Eco

Sec :Monetary Policy

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting from December 4 to 6, 2024, has sparked speculation about a possible Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut.

While the repo rate is expected to remain unchanged at 6.5%, a reduction in CRR could signal a shift toward easing liquidity without altering interest rates.

What is CRR?

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is the proportion of a bank’s total deposits that must be held in reserve with the RBI.

Currently, it is set at 4.5%. Banks do not earn interest on these reserves.

The CRR serves as a tool to manage:

Liquidity in the banking system
Inflation control
Lending regulation

Why is a CRR Cut Expected?

Tight Liquidity Conditions:
- Recent RBI actions to stabilize the rupee, including dollar sales, have tightened liquidity.
- Upcoming advance tax, GST payments, and quarter-end credit demand will further strain liquidity.
Sluggish Economic Growth:
- GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in Q2 FY25, the lowest in seven quarters.
- A CRR cut could boost lending, stimulating economic activity.
Forex Reserves Depletion:
- Forex reserves have dropped by $45 billion due to RBI’s interventions to curb rupee volatility.
- The rupee has depreciated by nearly 1% since October 1, 2024, amid Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) outflows.

Impact of a CRR Cut

Increased Bank Liquidity:
- A 50 bps CRR cut could release ₹1.1 to ₹1.2 lakh crore into the banking system.
- A 25 bps cut would free up ₹55 to ₹60 crore.
Boost to Lending and Economic Growth:
- Banks would have more funds to lend, potentially spurring investment and consumption.
- Borrowers might benefit from lower lending rates, especially in retail and business loans.
Improved Bank Margins:
- A CRR cut is Net Interest Margin (NIM) accretive, meaning banks could see improved profitability.
Support for Currency Stabilization:
- Easing liquidity could complement RBI’s efforts to stabilize the rupee without reducing the repo rate.

Previous CRR Cut

The last CRR reduction occurred in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was lowered to 3%.
Since then, the CRR has been raised three times, most recently to 4.5% in May 2022.

5. Akal Takht, SAD, and the punishment to Sukhbir Singh Badal

Sub : History

Sec: Art and culture

Context:

Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), was shot at near the Golden Temple while on guard duty.
Badal, along with other members of the previous SAD government (2007-2017), has been ordered to perform atonement (known as tankhah) by the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal authority.

Akal Takht:

The Akal Takht is one of the five Takhts (seats of religious authority) in Sikhism and holds the highest temporal and spiritual authority within the Sikh community.
It was established in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru to uphold Sikh governance and spiritual authority, especially after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan Dev, by the Mughals.
The Takht has historically symbolized defiance against the Mughal Empire and later became a pivotal centre for decision-making within the Sikh community.
It is situated in front of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.

The role of Akal Takht:

The Akal Takht is not only a religious centre but also serves as the final authority on issues related to Sikh practices, ethics, and community disputes.
It is the seat of the Jathedar (head) of the Akal Takht, who is responsible for issuing directives (hukamnamas) and addressing grievances within the Sikh community.
Those who claim Sikh identity and submit to its authority can be summoned for trials and subjected to punishment.
Sukhbir Singh Badal was ordered to perform atonement for his role in the SAD government’s alleged failures.

Religious Punishment (Tankhah):

In Sikhism, tankhah is a form of religious atonement for transgressions. Individuals or groups who violate Sikh principles may be summoned to the Akal Takht for a public trial.
If found guilty, they are given specific tasks to instil humility and promote self-discipline.
These tasks often involve menial work such as cleaning utensils, bathrooms, or other humbling activities, which are seen as a way to remove ego and restore moral integrity.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC):

The SGPC is the apex governing body of Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship), responsible for overseeing religious institutions and managing Sikh shrines.
It was formed in 1920 during the Gurdwara Reform Movement to counter the influence of the British government-supported mahants (priests).
The SGPC controls the management of Sikh shrines, including the Golden Temple, and appoints the Akal Takht Jathedar.

Interconnection between SAD and SGPC:

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was founded in 1920 with the aim of mobilizing Sikhs against British interference in Sikh religious affairs.
The close relationship between the SGPC and the SAD allows the party to exert considerable influence over decisions made by the Akal Takht.
Critics argue that the SAD has sometimes used its influence to sway decisions in favour of its political agenda.

6. Refugees from Sudan’s civil war reel under acute hunger and malnutrition

Sub : IR

Sec :Places in news

Context:

The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023, following escalating tensions between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group.
The ongoing conflict has caused severe food insecurity and widespread famine, affecting millions of civilians.

Darfur Region:

Darfur is a region in western Sudan that has experienced a prolonged humanitarian and political crisis.
The region is historically divided into three states: North Darfur, South Darfur, and West Darfur.

Refugee camps in Chad:

With over 600,000 new Sudanese refugees in Chad and more streaming in every day, underfunded humanitarian agencies are struggling to provide adequate assistance.

Chad hosts numerous refugee camps along its eastern border to accommodate Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict, particularly from the Darfur region. As of January 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated approximately 262,900 Sudanese refugees in Chad, primarily settled in 12 camps.

The major Sudanese refugee camps in Chad include:

Aboutengue refugee camp
Breidjing Camp:
Oure Cassoni Camp
Mile Camp
Treguine Camp
Iridimi Camp
Touloum Camp
Kounoungou Camp
Goz Amer Camp
Farchana Camp
Am Nabak Camp
Gaga Camp
Djabal Camp

7. UN looks at 2025 in ‘dread’ as it seeks $47 billion for aid

Sub: IR

Sec: Int org

Context:

The United Nations launched its annual humanitarian appeal, seeking over $47 billion to provide aid in 2025. This funding is intended to assist the most vulnerable populations worldwide, with a focus on delivering essential humanitarian support to those affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and the climate crisis.

Global Humanitarian Overview:

The Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) is an annual report published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which provides an overview of the most urgent humanitarian crises around the world and outlines the funding requirements for addressing them.
It is one of the key tools for coordinating global humanitarian efforts and mobilizing international support for crises.

GHO 2025:

The theme of the GHO 2025 is “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities”.
The overview indicates that the humanitarian situation in 2025 is expected to be dire, with urgent need for both financial support and political commitment to address crises worldwide.
It highlighted the challenge of “donor fatigue” affecting humanitarian operations and emphasized the necessity of a realistic plan that involves prioritization and making tough choices in response to overwhelming needs.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a key UN entity responsible for coordinating global humanitarian responses to emergencies. Established in 1991 by the United Nations General Assembly, OCHA plays a central role in addressing the needs of communities affected by conflicts, disasters, and other crises.

Key Functions of OCHA:

Coordination of Humanitarian Responses:
- Brings together UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to ensure effective and timely humanitarian assistance.
- Manages the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) to coordinate responses.
Needs Assessment and Analysis:
- Conducts comprehensive assessments to identify the needs of affected populations.
- Releases reports like the Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), highlighting humanitarian priorities and funding requirements.
Advocacy:
- Advocates for the rights of people in crises, including access to aid, protection, and respect for humanitarian principles.
- Raises awareness of crises through campaigns and outreach.
Resource Mobilization:
- Mobilizes funds and resources for humanitarian action, including managing pooled funds like the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
- Coordinates donor responses to meet funding gaps.
Policy Development:
- Develops policies and guidelines to ensure that humanitarian responses align with international standards.
- Promotes humanitarian principles such as neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Information Management:
- Provides data and analysis through platforms like ReliefWeb, which shares information on crises and humanitarian efforts.
- Ensures transparent communication among stakeholders.

Major Tools and Platforms of OCHA:

Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO): An annual report detailing the humanitarian needs worldwide and the funding required to address them.
Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): A global fund for quick response to humanitarian emergencies.
ReliefWeb: An information service providing updates on crises and humanitarian activities.

OCHA’s Role in Crises:

OCHA coordinates responses in various scenarios, including:

Armed conflicts, such as in Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine.
Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones.
Complex emergencies involving political instability, famine, or pandemics.

OCHA’s Principles:

OCHA’s work is guided by core humanitarian principles:

Humanity: Addressing human suffering wherever it is found.
Neutrality: Not taking sides in conflicts.
Impartiality: Delivering aid based on need alone, without discrimination.
Independence: Ensuring humanitarian action is autonomous from political or military objectives.

OCHA’s mission is critical in ensuring that humanitarian responses are timely, coordinated, and effective in alleviating the suffering of affected populations.

8. Caste Census in India

Sub : Polity

Sec : Msc

Why in News

The demand for a caste census has reignited political and social debates in India. Proponents view it as a necessary step for equitable resource distribution, while critics question its practicality and feasibility.

About Caste Census:

The first caste census was conducted in 1871-72 across the North-Western Provinces, Central Provinces, Bengal, and Madras.
Caste Census is the demand to include the caste-wise tabulation of India’s population in the upcoming exercise.
Caste, a powerful cultural underpinning of Indian culture, was last included in the Indian Census in 1931.
The drill was carried out at the time by the Britishers. From 1951 to 2011, every census in independent India provided data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but not on other castes.
The Britishers ended the practice in the 1941 Census, citing cost restrictions. The lost parameter was not picked up by the Indian government.
In the absence of such a census, there is no reliable estimate of the number of OBCs, other categories within OBCs, and others.
Arbitrary classifications such as “servants and labourers” and “mendicants and devotees” were included.
Lack of clarity in defining caste categories.
Disparate caste claims in different regions; for example, the same caste reported as Kshatriya in one area and Brahmin in another.
The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 identified 7 lakh castes/sub-castes but acknowledged 8.2 crore errors.

Difference between SECC and Caste Census:

The Census presents a portrait of the Indian people, whereas the SECC is a tool for identifying state assistance recipients.
Because the Census is conducted in accordance with the Census Act of 1948, all data are deemed secret, however the SECC website states that “all personal information submitted in the SECC is open for use by Government agencies to award and/or restrict benefits to families.”

Socio-Economic and Caste Census:

The Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) was conducted in 2011 for the first time since 1931.
SECC is meant to canvass every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their:
Economic status, so as to allow Central and State authorities to come up with a range of indicators of deprivation, permutations, and combinations of which could be used by each authority to define a poor or deprived person.
It is also meant to ask every person their specific caste name to allow the government to re-evaluate which caste groups were economically worse off and which were better off.

About Census:

Conducted in 1872 during British rule; not synchronized across the country.
First Synchronous Census: Conducted in 1881 and has been conducted every 10 years since then.
Census is conducted under the Census Act of 1948, which provides the legal framework.
Conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The first post-independence Census was conducted in 1951.
India’s Census is the largest such exercise in the world, covering over 3 billion people.
Covers demographics, socio-economic parameters, housing, migration, and more.
Provides critical data for planning, resource allocation, and implementing government schemes.

9. ISRO’s PSLV-C59 Mission: PROBA-3 Satellite Launch

Sub : Sci

Sec : Space sector

Why in News

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rescheduled the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 satellite launch due to an anomaly detected during pre-launch preparations. Initially planned for December 4, 2024, the launch is now set for December 5, 2024.

About PROBA-3 Mission:

Rocket: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59).
Payload: European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 satellites, weighing 550 kg.
Launch Pad: First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota.
Predecessors: Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009)
Collaborators: Scientists from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland.
Mission Life: 2 years.
Orbit: Highly elliptical orbit.
Mission Configuration: 61st flight of PSLV, 26th flight using the XL configuration.

Satellite Configuration: Two satellites will separate post-launch and fly in tandem to form a solar coronagraph, an instrument that blocks the Sun’s bright light for better observation.

Why Study the Solar Corona?

The corona’s temperature can exceed 2 million °F, making it challenging to observe.
Understanding the corona is crucial as it is the origin of space weather phenomena like solar storms and winds, which impact:
- Satellite communications
- Navigation systems
- Power grids on Earth.

About PSLV-C59:

Height: 44.5 meters.
Payload Capacity: 550 kg for PROBA-3 satellites.
Led by New Space India Limited (NSIL) with ISRO’s technical expertise.
Enables deeper solar research by observing the Sun’s corona.
Tests autonomous satellite operations critical for future space missions.

10. Agroforestry Threatens Endemic Frog Species in Western Ghats

Sub : Env

Sec: Species in news

Why in News

A recent study conducted by Indian researchers highlights the detrimental effects of agroforestry practices on endemic frog species in the northern Western Ghats. The findings emphasize the urgent need for conservation measures to mitigate habitat loss and protect amphibian biodiversity.

Key Points:

The findings were published in Ecological Applications, a journal of the Ecological Society of America.
Funding Organizations: On the Edge Conservation (UK), BEAG, The Habitat Trust, and NCF-India.
Location: Low-elevation lateritic plateaus of Maharashtra’s northern Western Ghats.
Sampling Sites: Devi Hasol, Devache Gothane, Gaonkhadi, and Bakale.
Effects on Frog Diversity and Abundance

Lowest Diversity: Observed in paddy fields.

Least Abundance: Recorded in orchards.

Endemic Frogs at Risk: CEPF burrowing frog (Minervarya cepfi) and Goan Fejervarya (Minervarya gomantaki) were significantly less abundant in modified habitats.
These findings indicate that agroforestry practices pose a serious threat to vulnerable amphibians.
Traditional conversion of plateaus into paddy fields has been replaced by blasting and transforming land into mango and cashew orchards.
The loss of rock pools, which protect tadpoles and eggs during monsoon dry spells, further endangers amphibian populations.
Frogs like Minervarya sahyadrensis, common in South Asia, were more prevalent in paddy fields.

About CEPF Burrowing Frog (Minervarya cepfi):

Native Habitat: Endemic to the northern Western Ghats.
Key Features:
- Known for burrowing behaviour.
- Relies on undisturbed habitats like lateritic plateaus.
- Vulnerable to habitat modification due to agricultural expansion.
Sensitive to habitat changes, indicating the need for protection of natural ecosystems.

About Goan Fejervarya (Minervarya gomantaki):

Native Habitat: Endemic to Goa and surrounding areas in the Western Ghats.
Key Features:
- Prefers clean freshwater habitats.
- Low abundance in modified landscapes like orchards and paddy fields.
- Plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Threatened by agroforestry practices that reduce critical habitats like rock pools.

About Minervarya sahyadrensis:

Native Habitat: Found widely across South Asia, including the Western Ghats.
Key Features:
- A generalist species that thrives in modified habitats like paddy fields.
- Exhibits adaptability to human-modified environments.
Indicator of community shifts in frog populations due to habitat alterations.