Daily Current Affairs UPSC 02 and 03 June 2024

Sarus Crane

Importance of Agricultural Biodiversity in Sarus Crane Conservation

• Agricultural biodiversity is essential for the conservation of Sarus Crane.
• Agrobiodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms associated with farming.
• It includes cultivating crops and rearing animals within ecological complexes.

Sarus Crane Overview

• The Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird in the world.
• Found in northern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia.
• Habitat includes small seasonal marshes, floodplains, high altitude wetlands, and human-altered ponds.
• Behavior is social, often found in pairs or small groups, and mates for life with a single partner.
• Breeding season coincides with heavy rainfall in the monsoon.
• Conservation Status of Sarus Crane
  
  • IUCN lists the Sarus Crane as Vulnerable.
  • CITES includes the Sarus Crane in Appendix II.
  • Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as Schedule I.

Cellulose decomposition

Accelerated Plant Litter Decomposition in Rivers and Streams

• A study has shown that agriculture and urbanization are speeding up the breakdown of plant litter in rivers and streams.
• Plant litter is mainly composed of cellulose, a polysaccharide.

Cellulose: The Primary Structural Component

• Cellulose is a polysaccharide made of glucose and is the main structural element of plant cell walls.
• It is the most abundant extracellular structural polysaccharide biomolecule in the biosphere.

Cellulose Decomposition Process

• Cellulase enzymes break down cellulose into glucose, which can be used to produce ethanol or can be metabolized through cellular respiration to produce CO2 and water.
• Animals like cattle and termites can digest cellulose because their gut contains Cellulase-producing bacteria.
• Humans cannot digest cellulose as their gut does not produce the cellulase enzyme.

Far side of the Moon

China's Second Landing on the Far Side of the Moon

• China's Chang'e-6 mission marks the second time a spacecraft has landed on the far side of the Moon.
• No other country has successfully landed on this half of the Moon.
• India's Chandrayaan-3 mission landed on the South Pole of the Near Side of the Moon.

Understanding the Far Side of the Moon

• The far side of the Moon refers to the hemisphere that is always facing away from Earth, also known as the dark side of the Moon.
• This phenomenon occurs because the Moon is tidally locked with Earth, meaning the same side always faces us due to gravitational forces.
• The Soviet Union's Luna 3 spacecraft took the first photograph of the far side of the Moon.
• The far side has a thicker crust, more craters, and fewer lava plains compared to the near side.

Multilateral Peace Operations

SIPRI released a report called 'Multilateral peace operations in 2023: Developments and trends' that covers significant updates in the field of multilateral peace operations for the year 2023.

Key Findings on multilateral peace operations

• The United Nations conducted the largest number of multilateral peace operations in 2023, totaling 20 operations.
• India was the top contributor of military personnel for UN peacekeeping forces during the year.
• A total of 63 multilateral peace operations were active in 37 countries in 2023.
• The largest deployment of peacekeeping forces was in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Unified India Organic Logo

• FSSAI and APEDA have collaborated to create the Unified India Organic logo, which will replace the existing India Organic and Jaivik Bharat logos.
• The India Organic logo is currently used for products that meet the standards of the National Programme for Organic Products (NPOP), while the Jaivik Bharat logo is used for products certified by FSSAI.

About Unified India Organic Logo 

• The Unified India Organic logo is designed to ensure consistency and alignment in the enforcement of Indian regulations for organic products.
• This new logo will help consumers easily identify organic products and understand that they adhere to the National Standards for Organic Production.

RBI’s Gold Reserve

RBI's Gold Transfer in FY24

• In the fiscal year 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) relocated 100 metric tonnes of gold from the United Kingdom to domestic vaults in Mumbai and Nagpur.

India's Gold Holdings in FY24

• India's total gold reserves in FY24 reached 822 metric tonnes, with approximately 50% of the gold stored within the country.

Backing Banknotes with Assets

• All banknotes issued by the RBI are supported by assets like gold, Government Securities, and Foreign Currency Assets, as outlined in Section 33 of the RBI Act, 1934.

Risks of Storing Gold Abroad

• Keeping gold reserves overseas can pose risks, especially during times of geopolitical tensions, as demonstrated by the freezing of Russian assets by Western nations.

Tmesipteris oblanceolata

Research reveals Tmesipteris oblanceolata has the largest genome

• Tmesipteris oblanceolata has been identified as having the largest genome among known species of fork ferns.
• The genome of an organism refers to the complete set of genetic information it possesses.

Characteristics of Tmesipteris oblanceolata

• Tmesipteris oblanceolata contains a staggering 160 billion base pairs, which are the building blocks of DNA. This surpasses the size of the human genome by more than 50 times.
• This species belongs to a group of plants that existed long before dinosaurs roamed the earth, showcasing its ancient origins.
• Tmesipteris oblanceolata is exclusively found in New Caledonia and a few neighboring islands in the Pacific Ocean. It thrives on the trunks and branches of trees in rainforests, highlighting its unique habitat preferences.

Biocover

Biocover: A Sustainable Solution for Controlling Methane Emissions

About:

• Biocover is a microbial methane oxidation system that can be used to control fugitive methane emissions from old dumpsites.
• It consists of a porous material layer placed on top of a landfill, covered by a layer of mature compost that provides optimal conditions for methane-utilizing bacteria to thrive.
• The bacteria act as biofilters, converting methane to CO2 and effectively reducing methane emissions.
• Potential applications of biocover include road construction and land reclamation projects.
• However, concerns exist about the potential contamination of biocovers in old dumpsites with heavy metals and microplastics.

Iraq (Capital: Baghdad)

UNSC Decision to End UNAMI Mission in Iraq

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently voted to end the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which was established in 2003 after the US-led invasion.
• UNAMI was created to coordinate post-conflict humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Iraq, as well as to assist in restoring a representative government in the country.

Political Features of Iraq

• Territorial Boundaries: Iraq shares borders with Turkiye to the north, Iran to the east, Syria and Jordan to the west, and Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the south.
• Maritime Boundaries: Iraq's maritime boundaries open into the Persian Gulf.

Geographical Features of Iraq

• Major Mountains: Iraq is home to the Sinjar Mountains and the Zagros Mountains in the north, which border Iran.
• Rivers: The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through Iraq.
• Lakes: Iraq has lakes such as Habbaniya and Razzaza (also known as Lake Milh, a man-made lake at risk of drying up).

Pakistan Government acknowledges PoK as Foreign Territory

The Additional Attorney General of Pakistan stated in court that Pakistan-administered Kashmir is considered a separate territory and is not under the jurisdiction of Pakistan.

About PoK

• PoK was illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1947 and consists of two distinct regions.
• PoK is considered part of the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, making it an integral part of India.
• PoK is a major point of contention in the territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.

Current status of India-Pakistan Territorial demarcation

• International Border (IB) stretches approximately 2,400 km from Gujarat to the north banks of Chenab in Akhnoor in Jammu.
• Line of Control (LoC) is a ceasefire line established after wars between India and Pakistan, delineated in the Simla Agreement (1972).
• Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) divides Indian and Pakistani troops in the Siachen region.
• IB in Sir Creek area and International Maritime Boundary line between India and Pakistan remain undemarcated.

Related News

• Former Pakistani prime minister admitted to violating the Lahore Pact (1999) signed between India and Pakistan.
• Lahore Pact aimed at resolving outstanding issues through dialogue, but was followed by Pakistani troops infiltrating Kargil district in 1999.

RBI's UPI Expansion: 20 Countries by 2028-29

RBI and NIPL's Agenda for UPI Expansion

• In its Annual Report for 2023-24, RBI and NIPL plan to expand UPI.
• Collaboration on Fast Payment System with groups like EU and SAARC is also on the agenda.

About UPI

• UPI, launched in 2016, combines multiple bank accounts into one mobile app for seamless fund routing and merchant payments.
• Countries like Bhutan, Nepal, UAE, France, and Mauritius already support UPI payments.

Significance of Internationalization of UPI

• Global market expansion can boost trade between India and other countries.
• UPI can promote interoperability and standardization in payment systems worldwide.
• Strengthening India's influence and goodwill through technological collaboration.

Challenges in Internationalization of UPI

• Regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions can be complex.
• Robust security measures and data protection are crucial for user trust.
• Infrastructure disparities and competition from players like Alipay pose challenges.

Steps for Internationalization of UPI

• NIPL, a subsidiary of NPCI, was created in 2020 for deploying RuPay and UPI globally.
• UPI One World offers prepaid payment instruments linked to UPI for foreign nationals and NRIs from G20 countries.
• India's initiatives under G20 include the Global DPI Repository and a Social Impact Fund for DPI advancement in the Global South.

Note: UPI plays a crucial role in the Payments layer of Digital Public Infrastructure.

NHRC mandates appointment of AHT nodal officers in all states

• The NHRC has directed states to appoint Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) Nodal Officers to combat human trafficking in the Kanjar community in Rajasthan.
• These officers must hold a rank no lower than a State Secretary or an Inspector General of Police and will work with District Anti-Human Trafficking Units led by officers not below the rank of Deputy SP.

Understanding Human Trafficking

• Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through force, fraud, or deception for exploitation.
• In 2022, India reported 2,250 cases of human trafficking according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
• The responsibility for registering, investigating, and preventing human trafficking primarily lies with State Governments due to policing being a State subject.
• Constitutional provisions such as Article 23 prohibit human trafficking, while Articles 39(e) and 39(f) ensure individuals are not forced into unsuitable work due to economic necessity.

Causes of Human Trafficking

• Economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, migration, and lack of access to quality education can drive individuals into human trafficking.
• Political instability, war, natural disasters, and other political factors can also contribute to the prevalence of human trafficking.
• Cultural practices that devalue women and girls, such as child marriage, can perpetuate human trafficking within a society.

Initiatives against human trafficking

• Global: This global initiative aims to prevent, suppress, and punish human trafficking, especially of women and children.

India

• The Immoral Traffic Prevention Act of 1956 is a key legislation in India aimed at preventing human trafficking.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs in India provides funding to set up and strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking Units in every district to combat human trafficking.
• Cri-MAC is a platform that helps in sharing information about significant crimes, including cases of human trafficking, in real-time.
• Mission Shakti, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India, provides relief and rehabilitation homes for women in distress situations, including victims of human trafficking.

"ICRIER Policy Brief on Post-Harvest Losses in India"

Benefits of Reducing Post-Harvest Loss (PHL)

• Farmers' Income: By reducing PHL, farmers can increase their income through saving more of their produce.
• Food Security: Reducing PHL ensures that more food reaches consumers, thus enhancing food security.
• Sustainability: Decreasing PHL leads to less resource exploitation in agrifood systems, promoting sustainability.

Key Highlights of Production in India

• Food Grain Production: India has seen a significant increase in food grain production from 1966-67 to 2022-23.
• Horticulture Production: The horticulture sector in India has also shown substantial growth over the years.
• Storage Capacity: India has expanded its storage capacity to accommodate the increasing production levels.

Factors Behind PHL in India

• On-Farm Operations: Low farmer education, weather conditions, and the use of defective machinery contribute to PHL.
• Marketing Channels: En-route leakages, poor packaging, and improper storage practices also lead to PHL.
• Policy Issues: Mandates like the Jute Packing Material Act can contribute to PHL due to susceptibility to pests and contamination.

Way Forward to Reduce PHL

• Mechanization in agriculture: Implementing mechanization can help improve efficiency and reduce PHL.
• Reforming the Public Distribution System (PDS): Improving the PDS and implementing direct cash transfers can help in reducing PHL.

Initiatives to Reduce Post-Harvest Loss (PHL):

Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme:

• This scheme aims to increase food storage capacity by involving private sector participation.
• By encouraging private entrepreneurs to invest in food storage infrastructure, the government hopes to reduce post-harvest losses.

PM Kisan Sampada Yojana:

• The goal of this initiative is to decrease post-harvest losses of both horticulture and non-horticulture produce.
• By establishing modern food processing facilities near production areas, the government aims to improve the efficiency of the supply chain and reduce wastage.

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:

• This fund is designed to provide medium to long-term debt financing for projects related to post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
• By facilitating investment in viable projects, the fund aims to improve the overall infrastructure for managing post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector.

National Cooperative Grain Storage Project:

• Launched in 2023, this project aims to increase cooperative sector storage facilities by 700 lakh tonnes.
• By expanding storage capacity in the cooperative sector, the government hopes to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food security in the country.

"Decade of Telangana State: Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (2014)"

Creation of Telangana State in 2014

• Telangana was separated from Andhra Pradesh in 2014, with Hyderabad as its capital.
• The move was driven by perceived regional inequality in development.

Formation of new states in India

• Language played a significant role in the formation of states post-independence.
• The State Reorganization Commission recommended the formation of new states based on various factors.
• Development level also influenced the creation of new states like Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Telangana.
• Other factors such as race, culture, and customs also played a role in the reorganization of states in India's northeast.

Formation of New States

• According to Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the power to form a new state through legislation.
• The President must recommend the Bill for creating a new state before it can be introduced in Parliament.
• Before recommending the Bill, the President must consult with the State Legislatures that will be affected by the creation of the new state.
• This process allows for the creation of new states through ordinary legislation, requiring only a simple majority in Parliament.

LinkedIn India Report: Women in Corporate Leadership

Progress and Challenges in Gender Diversity and Inclusion in Women's Corporate Leadership.

Progress in Gender Diversity:

• In lower-middle income countries, 19.2% of firms had female top managers compared to 17.3% in high-income countries.
• In India, only 16% of senior and middle management positions were held by women in 2022.
• The proportion of women serving on boards has increased from 6% in 2013 to 18% in 2022.

Challenges in Women's Corporate Leadership:

• Gaps in enforcement of regulatory measures, with 507 companies fined for non-compliance with the Companies Act 2013.
• Limited pool of women due to lower labor force participation rates and women dropping out of the workforce for familial responsibilities.
• Social conditioning leading to women not applying for leadership roles due to cultural gender roles.
• Sector-wise discrepancies in representation of women based on factors such as work environment, travel requirements, pay disparity, and work hours.

Initiatives to promote women leadership

Government-led initiatives:

• Companies Act, 2013 mandates the presence of at least one woman director on the governing board of certain class/classes of companies.
• Business Reporting requirements on Social Responsibility seek data on women representation in the workforce and leadership.

Industry-led initiatives:

• Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) has pledged to make concerted efforts to address the gap with a focus on ensuring gender diversity in leadership positions in Public Sector Enterprises.
• Private sector corporations like Accenture, Cognizant, etc. have also implemented similar initiatives to promote women leadership.