Daily Prelims Notes 9 February 2022

February 9, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

9 February 2022

Table Of Contents

1. ARAVALLI BIODIVERSITY PARK-OECM SITE

TOPIC: Environment

Context- On the occasion of World Wetlands Day(February 2) the Aravalli Biodiversity Park was declared India’s first “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) site.

Concept-

What is the OECM tag?

OECM is a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.
The OECM tag is given by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to areas that are not protected but support rich biodiversity.
It does not bring any legal, financial or management implications, but designates the area as a biodiversity hotspot on the international map.
The OECM areas were defined at the Convention on Biological Diversity that was held in 2018.
The proposal to declare Aravalli Biodiversity Park an OECM site was sent by the National Biodiversity Authority to the IUCN in December 2020.

About the Aravalli Biodiversity Park-

It is spread across 390 acres near Gurgaon, Haryana and contains ecologically restored and semi-arid land vegetation.
It has around 300 native plants, 101,000 trees, 43,000 shrubs, and several species of birds.
The park was transformed into a city forest from a 40-year-old mining site through the efforts of citizens, ecologists and scientists along with the help of the urban local body of Gurugram.
These valleys were restored with native plants that helped in seasonal water accumulation, making them special micro-habitats within the larger Aravalli landscape.
The Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, are considered the green lungs of Delhi-NCR, a crucial water recharge zone for the region.

2. AGRICULTURE ORIENTATION INDEX

TOPIC: Agriculture

Context- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) report for 2001 to 2019 shows that, globally, India is among the top 10 countries in terms of government spending in agriculture, constituting a share of around 7.3% of its total government expenditure. However, India lags behind several low-income countries such as Malawi (18%), Mali (12.4%), Bhutan (12%), Nepal (8%).

Concept-

Agriculture Orientation Index:

The Agriculture Orientation Index (AOI) for Government Expenditures is defined as the Agriculture Share of Government Expenditures, divided by the Agriculture Share of GDP, where Agriculture refers to the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector.
In other words, it measures the ratio between government spending towards the agricultural sector and the sector’s contribution to GDP.
The measure is a currency-free index, calculated as the ratio of these two shares. This indicator will measure progress towards SDG Target 2.a.(Zero hunger).
An Agriculture Orientation Index (AOI) greater than 1 reflects a higher orientation towards the agriculture sector, which receives a higher share of government spending relative to its contribution to economic value-added.
An AOI less than 1 reflects a lower orientation to agriculture, while an AOI equal to 1 reflects neutrality in a government’s orientation to the agriculture sector.
India’s index is one of the lowest, reﬂecting that the spending towards the agricultural sector is not commensurate with the sector’s contribution towards GDP.
India holds only the 38th rank in the world, despite being an agrarian
economy wherein a huge population is dependent on the agricultural sector for its livelihood, and despite being among the largest producers of several crops produced and consumed in the world.

3. MUMBAI’S POLLUTION

TOPIC: Environment

Context- Mumbai has seen unusually high levels of pollution this week, with its air quality index reading frequently above 300, at times matching Delhi’s AQI.

Concept-

An AQI between 301 and 400 is categorised as ‘red’ or ‘very poor’. The AQI in Mumbai touched 316 on Sunday, followed by 318 on Monday and 320 on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, the AQI in Mazgaon, the most polluted area in the city, rose to 495, a reading in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Ministry of Earth Science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR).

What is causing the increase in pollution levels in Mumbai?

According to SAFAR, the current high pollution is due to a dust storm that has hit the city.
This storm originated on February 3 over Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the border areas of Rajasthan.
Low day temperatures, weak, low-speed winds, high relative humidity, and coldness of the air are contributing to the bad air above the city.
In Mumbai, a windswept coastal city, the polluted air is regularly cleaned out by a strong sea breeze. Low wind speeds have, however, caused local pollutants hanging above the city & have not been effectively dispersed.

SAFAR

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) is a national initiative introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city, by measuring the overall pollution level and the location-specific air quality of the city.
The system is indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and is operationalized by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
It has a giant true color LED display that gives out real-time air quality index on a 24×7 basis with color-coding (along with 72 hours advance forecast).
It monitors all weather parameters like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation.
Pollutants monitored: PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury.

Air Quality Index:

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality.
The measurement of air quality is based on eight pollutants, namely: Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb).
AQI has six categories of air quality. These are: Good, Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor and Severe.
It has been developed by the CPCB in consultation with IIT-Kanpur and an expert group comprising medical and air-quality professionals.
The higher the AQI, the greater the level of air pollution and the more serious the health concern.

4. Everest’s highest glacier to disappear in middle of this century

TOPIC: Geography

Context- It has been estimated that the ice in the South Col glacier located at an elevation of 8,020 metres is thinning at a rate of nearly two-metre per year.

Concept-

As per The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Everest has been losing ice significantly since the late 1990s.
It has been estimated that the ice in the South Col glacier located at an elevation of 8,020 metres is thinning at a rate of nearly two-metre per year, the report said.
Glaciers in the Himalayas make a significant contribution to water resources for millions of people.
These glaciers feed world’s 10 most important river systems.

Mt Everest:

Mt Everest stands on the border between China and Nepal.
Mt Everest is known as Sagarmatha in Nepal while in China it is called Mt Qomolangma, the Tibetan name for the world’s highest peak with a height of 8848.86 m.

The South Col Glacier:

South Col Glacier is a sharp-edged col between Mount Everest and Lhotse.
It is typically swept by high winds, which leaves it free of significant snow accumulation.
It is around 7,900 metres above sea level and a kilometre below the peak of world’s highest mountain.

5. RIGHTS & DUTIES

TOPIC: Polity

Context- Rights and duties are closely related and cannot be separated from one another.

Concept-

Rights and duties are closely related and cannot be separated from one another. For every right, there is a corresponding duty.
The State protects and enforces rights and it is the duty of all citizens to be loyal to the state. Thus a citizen has both Rights and Duties.
Indian Constitution provides its citizens with the Fundamental Rights and lists the Fundamental Duties to be followed by them.
- Fundamental Rights (Part III of the constitution).
- Fundamental Duties(Part IVA of the constitution).

What are fundamental rights?

Fundamental rights are the basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution of India which are guaranteed to all citizens.
Fundamental rights are enforceable by the courts, subject to certain conditions.
Articles 12-35 of Part-3 of Indian Constitution deal with Fundamental Rights.
- Right to Equality (Article 14-18)
- Right to Freedom (Article 19-22)
- Right against Exploitation (Article 23-24)
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28)
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29-30)
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
Fundamental rights are not absolute as they have reasonable restrictions subjected to the conditions of state security, public morality and decency and friendly relations with foreign countries.
Fundamental rights can be amended by the Parliament by a constitutional amendment without altering the basic structure of the Constitution.
Certain fundamental rights are available only to the citizens, namely: Article 15, 16, 19, 29, 30.

What are fundamental duties?

Fundamental duties basically imply the moral obligations of all citizens of a country.
Currently there are 11 fundamental duties under Article 51A, Part IV-A of the Constitution.
Originally, the fundamental duty of India was not a part of the Indian Constitution.
The Fundamental Duties were added in 1976, upon recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee that was constituted by Indira Gandhi just after the declaration of national emergency.
10 duties were added by the 42nd Amendment and 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002.
Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable and hence can’t be taken to the court of law (non-enforceable).

6. PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEES

TOPIC: Polity

Context- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development spotlighted the failure to pay unemployment allowances and also recommended a hike in wage rates and in the number of days of guaranteed work, and a revision of the 60:40 wage-material ratio under the scheme.

Concept-

The Constitution of India makes a mention of these committees at different places, but without making any specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, functions,
- All these matters are dealt by the rules of two Houses.
Accordingly, a parliamentary committee means a committee that:
- Is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker / Chairman
- Works under the direction of the Speaker / Chairman
- Presents its report to the House or to the Speaker / Chairman
- Has a secretariat provided by the Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha
The introduction of 17 department-related standing committees (DRSCs) on March 31, 1993 was a significant innovation that increased parliamentary scrutiny and gave MPs a larger role in examining legislation and important decisions of the day.
There are 24 DRSCs — 16 from Lok Sabha and 8 from Rajya Sabha. Each committee has 21 MPs from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
Role of DRSCs:
- Given the volume of legislative business and the time constraints it is not possible for MPs to discuss and scrutinise all bills in the House.
- Parliamentary committees, either formed for a specific bill (select committee) or permanent (standing committees that are reconstituted annually) allow for a scrutiny with the possibility of tapping subject experts from outside and other stakeholders in an environment where MPs are not bound by party positions or whips.

7. OCI (OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA)

TOPIC: Polity

Context- The Supreme Court directed the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) to charge a student belonging to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) category the same fee paid by an Indian citizen for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The OCI students are also permitted to be treated at par with Indian students and are allowed to apply to any course/courses for the academic year 2021-2022

Concept-

Overseas Citizenship of India:

The Ministry of Home Affairs defines an OCI as a person who:
- Was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
- Is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria.
- According to Section 7A of the OCI card rules, an applicant is not eligible for the OCI card if he, his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
The category was introduced by the government in 2005. The Government of India via Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 merged the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category with OCI category in 2015.

Benefits to OCI Cardholders:

OCI cardholders can enter India multiple times, get a multipurpose lifelong visa to visit India, and are exempt from registering with Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
If an individual is registered as an OCI for a period of five years, he/she is eligible to apply for Indian citizenship.
OCI cardholders can open special bank accounts in India, buy the non-farm property and exercise ownership rights and can also apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.

Limitations:

OCI cardholders do not get voting rights, cannot hold a government job and purchase agricultural or farmland.
They cannot travel to restricted areas without government permission.

8. FERTILIZERS & PESTICIDES

TOPIC: Agriculture

Context- The Union government has asked fertiliser companies to manufacture additional DAP (di-ammonium phosphate) to meet the demands during the current rabi season.

Concept-

Fertilizer & Pesticides Ranking of States: MH> UP> TL> PN> HR

Nearly half of the country’s demand for chemical pesticides in 2020-21 came from the three States— Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.
Almost 46.38 per cent of the demand for 70,668 tonnes of chemical pesticides was from these three States.
Maharashtra contribute nearly one-ﬁfth of the country’s demand for chemical pesticides during 2020-21.
While Maharashtra led the demand for chemical pesticides at 14,396 tonnes, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana followed it with 11,850 tonnes and 6,535 tonnes, respectively, during the period.
The demand from other agriculture-centric States such as Punjab and Haryana for chemical pesticides was at 5,700 tonnes and 4,200 tonnes of, re- spectively, during 2020-21.
However Meghalaya and Sikkim have been notiﬁed as ‘organic State’

About DAP:

DAP is the second most commonly used fertiliser in India after urea.
Farmers normally apply this fertiliser just before or at the beginning of sowing, as it is high in phosphorus (P) that stimulates root development.
DAP (46% P, 18% Nitrogen) is the preferred source of Phosphorus for farmers.
This is similar to urea, which is their preferred nitrogenous fertiliser containing 46% N.

9. AGRO FORESTRY

TOPIC: Environment

Context- There is an immense need for crop diversification and role of agroforestry due to series of adversities and climatic vagaries during agricultural production, such as erratic rainfall, stone hail, drought, flood, and so on.

Concept-

Agroforestry:

Agroforestry is a land-use system that includes trees, crops and / or livestock in a spatial and temporal manner, balancing both ecological and economic interactions of biotic and abiotic components.
It harnesses the complementarity between trees and crops for efficient utilisation of available resources.
Agroforestry can generate food, feed, fruits, fibre, fuel, fodder, fish, flavour, fragrance, floss, gum and resins as well as other non-wood products for food and nutritional security. It can also support livelihoods and promote productive, resilient agricultural environments in all ecologies.
Agroforestry is an important land-use system for diversification around the world in different spheres of biological, ecological, economical and sociological considerations.
The major agroforestry practices in India include multifunctional improved fallows, home gardens, plantation crop-based mixed-species production systems, alley cropping, woodlots, windbreaks, protein banks, shifting cultivation and Taungya in different regions.
Agroforestry enhances biodiversity due to the creation of diverse habitat for macro- and micro-organisms and maintaining landforms for future generations.
The integrated farming system is an offshoot of agroforestry, advocating the diversification of the agri-production with other associated secondary and tertiary agriculture practices. The role of micro-organisms, nitrogen-fixing trees, leaf litter decomposition, forest hydrology and nutrient fluxes in agroforestry is well known to promote the crop diversification with various under utilised and wild crops.

Crop diversification:

Crop diversification is a strategy applied to grow more diverse crops from shrinking land resources with an increase in productivity in the same arable land.
Traditional pattern of agriculture in India has wider crop diversity eg. In the Garhwal Himalayan region of India, Barahnaja is a crop diversification system for cultivating 12 crops in a year. ‘Barahanaaj’ literally means ‘12 foodgrains’ and is the traditional heritage of the area.

10. FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION TO NGO’s

TOPIC: Polity

Context- The Ministry of Home Affairs has renewed the FCRA (Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act) registration of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), a public health advocacy group.

The move comes four years after the organisation was barred from receiving foreign funds for lobbying with parliamentarians, the media and the government on tobacco control issues.

Concept-

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010

Foreign funding of persons in India is regulated under FCRA Act and is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Individuals and NGOs are permitted to accept foreign contributions without permission of MHA. However, the monetary limit for acceptance of such foreign contributions shall be less than Rs. 25,000.
The Act ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.
Under the Act, organisations are required to register themselves every five years.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020

Prohibition to accept foreign contribution: The Act bars public servants from receiving foreign contributions. Public servant includes any person who is in service or pay of the government, or remunerated by the government for the performance of any public duty.
The Act prohibits the transfer of foreign contributions to any other person not registered to accept foreign contributions.
The Act makes Aadhaar number mandatory for all office bearers, directors or key functionaries of a person receiving foreign contribution, as an identification document.
The Act states that foreign contribution must be received only in an account designated by the bank as FCRA account in such branches of the State Bank of India, New Delhi.
The Act proposes that not more than 20% of the total foreign funds received could be defrayed for administrative expenses. In FCRA 2010 the limit was 50%.

11. India’s newest mammal: White Cheeked Macaque

TOPIC: Environment

Context- Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have found a new mammal species in the country — the White Cheeked Macaque.

Concept-

While the Macaque was first discovered in China in 2015, its existence was not known in India before this.
Indian scientists have discovered its presence in the remote Anjaw district in central Arunachal Pradesh.
The White Cheeked Macaque has distinct white cheeks, long and thick hair on the neck and a longer tail than other Macaque species.
It is the last mammal to have been discovered in Southeast Asia.
Both the Arunachal macaque as well as the White Cheeked Macaque exist in the same biodiversity hotspot in the eastern Himalayas.
The white-cheeked macaque lives in forest habitats, from tropical forests to primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests and mixed broadleaf-conifer forests.

12. POLYGON NETWORK

TOPIC: Science & Tech

Context- In the biggest round of investments in an Indian blockchain venture, marquee investment firms have infused $450 million in Polygon, a decentralised scaling platform for ethereum blockchain.

Concept-

Polygon Network:

Polygon is essentially a “Layer 2” network built on the Ethereum blockchain to mitigate the traffic load on the main blockchain.
It is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that facilitates peer-to-peer transactions with a focus on allowing users to transfer or swap tokens across different blockchains.
For example, a customer could use Poly Network to transfer tokens such as bitcoin from the Ethereumblockchain to the Binance Smart Chain, perhaps looking to access a specific application.
Tokens are swapped between the blockchains using a smart contract which contains instructions on when to release the assets to the counterparties.
It is a layer 2 solution, i.e it works on top of Ethereum’s primary blockchain. Polygon uses side chains to unclog the main platform in a smart and cost-effective manner.
Polygon’s multi-chain network provides an infrastructure for facilitating blockchain networks that can communicate with each other outside of Ethereum’s primary chain though it retains Ethereum’s liquidity, security and interoperability.