Daily Current Affairs UPSC 14 May 2024

Leopard Cat

Leopard Cat Sighted in Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve

• The Leopard cat, scientifically known as Prionailurus bengalensis, has been spotted in Maharashtra's Pench Tiger Reserve for the first time.

About the Leopard Cat

• The Leopard cat is a forest-dwelling cat that belongs to the family Felidae and is known for its leopard-like coloring.
• It can be found across India, Southeast Asia, and nearby islands.
• The coat of the Leopard cat is yellowish or reddish brown above, white below, and heavily marked with dark spots and streaks. It is a nocturnal animal.
• It can be found in various habitats ranging from tropical rainforests to temperate broadleaf forests, coniferous forests, shrub forests, and grasslands.

Conservation Status

• The Leopard cat is classified as "Least Concern" by the IUCN and is listed under Appendix I of CITES.
• In India, it is protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and is listed under Schedule I for conservation efforts.

High Energy Photon Source (HEPS)

Construction of High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) in China

• China is planning to build a High Energy Photon Source (HEPS).
• This will make China one of the few countries with fourth-generation synchrotron light sources.
• Currently, there are around 70 synchrotrons worldwide, but only a few countries have fourth-generation synchrotrons like Sweden, Brazil, and France.

About HEPS

• HEPS will be the first brightest synchrotron X-rays in Asia.
• Synchrotrons use electricity to produce intense beams of light that are more than a million times brighter than the sun.
• They rely on a multi-bend achromat lattice of magnets to generate X-ray beams that are narrower and brighter.
• Benefits of HEPS include helping researchers understand matter in various dimensions and levels, such as space, time, energy, molecules, atoms, electrons, and spin.
• India's synchrotron was Indus-1, and India is also an associate member of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France.

India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)

State Bank of India's Membership at IIBX

• The State Bank of India has recently become the first trading-cum-clearing member at IIBX.

About IIBX

• IIBX was established at GIFT International Financial Services Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2022.
• It is regulated by the IFSC Authority (IFSCA) and is promoted by India's leading market infrastructure institutions such as the National Stock Exchange and Multi Commodity Exchange of India.

Benefits of IIBX

• IIBX serves as a gateway to import bullion into India.
• It provides a world-class bullion exchange ecosystem to promote bullion trading, investment in bullion financial products, and vaulting facilities in IFSCs.
• Bullion refers to physical gold and silver of high purity that is often kept in the form of bars, ingots, or coins.

Semal Trees (Silk Cotton Tree)

Effects of Semal Trees Disappearance in Southern Rajasthan

a. Semal trees are disappearing from Southern Rajasthan, leading to adverse effects          on forests and people.

b. Semal Trees Overview

• Semal trees are large deciduous trees known for their Crimson red flowers.
• Ayurvedic medicines can be prepared from every part of the tree, with roots used for treating ailments like diabetes.
• The tree is worshipped by many tribal communities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
• The seeds of the Semal tree produce edible oil, which is used in making soaps.

Keeling Curve

Global Increase in Carbon Dioxide Concentration

• In March 2024, the global average concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) was 4.7 parts per million (ppm), which was higher than in March 2023. This increase represents a significant spike in the Keeling Curve.
• This spike is the largest ever recorded leap in CO2 concentration, reaching 425.22 ppm.

About the Keeling Curve

• The Keeling Curve is a record of atmospheric CO2 levels measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) since 1958.
• MLO is a station located in Hawaii on the side of Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, that measures elements in the atmosphere contributing to climate change.
• The Keeling Curve is named after Dr. Charles David Keeling, who initiated the measurements of atmospheric CO2 levels at MLO.

PM Gati Shakti

Ministry of Labour and Employment's Involvement in PM Gati Shakti

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has joined the PM Gati Shakti portal to address gaps in social security coverage.
• This initiative is part of the National Master Plan for Multimodal Connectivity, launched in 2021.
• PM Gati Shakti is a digital platform that brings together 16 ministries, including railways and roadways, for integrated planning and implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects.
• The purpose of PM Gati Shakti is to provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services between different modes of transport, ultimately reducing travel time for individuals.
• The initiative is based on six pillars: Comprehensiveness, Prioritization, Optimization, Synchronization, Analytical, and Dynamic.

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Telescope Overview

• The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is designed to explore various aspects of space, ranging from our solar system to the far reaches of the universe.
• The telescope's main objectives include studying dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets, and a wide range of topics in infrared astrophysics and planetary science.

Key Instruments

• The telescope will be equipped with the Wide Field and Coronagraph Instrument, which will allow for detailed observations of various celestial bodies.
• One of the techniques it will use is microlensing, a form of gravitational lensing that distorts and brightens images of background sources by the gravitational field of a foreground lens.

Field of View

• The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than the Hubble telescope, allowing for a broader range of observations and discoveries in space.

Aurora

Aurora in Hanle Village

• The night sky in Hanle village in Ladakh was lit up by the northern lights due to a strong solar storm hitting the Earth.

Characteristics of Aurora

• Multi-colored lights can be seen in the upper atmosphere (ionosphere) over the Polar Regions and are visible from locations in the middle and high latitudes.
• The colors of the aurora can range from blue, red, yellow, green, to orange.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, the aurora is known as aurora borealis, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is called aurora australis.
• The aurora is caused by the interaction of solar wind with oxygen and nitrogen gas in the atmosphere.

Croatia (Capital: Zagreb)

The current Prime Minister of Croatia has been re-elected for a third term in office.

Political Features:

• The current Prime Minister of Croatia has been re-elected for a third term in office.
• Croatia is located in South Eastern Europe and is part of the Balkan Peninsula.
• It is bordered by Hungary and Slovenia to the north, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south and east, and the Adriatic Sea to the west.

Geographical Features:

• The major mountain range in Croatia is the Dinaric Alps, which is known for its Karst (limestone) topography.
• The highest point in Croatia is Dinara.
• The major rivers in Croatia are the Sava and Drava.

"India and Iran ink deal for Chabahar Port terminal operation"

Development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port.

• A 10-year contract has been signed for the development of Shahid Beheshti Port Terminal at Chabahar Port.
• This agreement aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade and investment opportunities between India, Iran, and Afghanistan.
• Chabahar Port is one of the overseas ports that will be managed by India, along with Sittwe port in Myanmar.

About Chabahar Port

• Chabahar Port is located in Sistan and Baluchestan province on the Makran coast in the southeastern part of Iran, on the Gulf of Oman and outside the Strait of Hormuz.
• It is the only deep-sea port in Iran with direct ocean access and consists of two terminals, Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.
• The port is part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi-mode transport project linking the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran and onward to northern Europe via Saint Petersburg in Russia.

Significance of Chabahar Port for India

• Chabahar Port serves as a counterbalance to Pakistan's Gwadar Port and China's Belt and Road Initiative, providing India with access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
• It offers easy access from India's west coast, with Kandla Port in Gujarat being only 550 nautical miles away from Chabahar.
• The shorter route provided by Chabahar Port will help unlock India's trade potential with European countries.

Challenges in execution of Chabahar Project

• US sanctions on Iran have impacted equipment suppliers and partners involved in the completion of the Chabahar Project.
• The proposed involvement of China in Chabahar's duty-free zone poses a challenge to India's interests in the region.

"Venezuela's Glaciers on the Brink"

1. Humboldt Glacier in Venezuela

• The Humboldt Glacier in Venezuela, also known as La Corona, has decreased in size to the point where it no longer meets the criteria to be classified as a glacier.
• The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICCI) is a network of experts and researchers working with governments and organizations to protect the Earth's cryosphere, which includes snow and ice on land, ice caps, glaciers, permafrost, and sea ice.
• Glaciers are melting rapidly due to factors such as global warming and warming ocean waters, impacting both Alpine glaciers like the Hindu Kush Himalaya and ice sheets like Antarctica.

2. Impacts of Glacier Melting

• If all glaciers and ice sheets were to melt, global sea levels would rise by over 60 meters, leading to increased coastal erosion and storm surges.
• Melting glaciers are causing biodiversity loss, with animals like walruses losing their habitats and polar bears spending more time on land, leading to conflicts with humans.
• The frequency of Glacial lake outbursts (GLOFs) in regions like the Himalayas is expected to increase, impacting water availability in rivers like the Ganges and economic activities like fishing and navigation.

3. Steps Taken to Protect Glaciers

a. Global Efforts

• The Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) was launched by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to monitor glaciers in the region.
• UNESCO's World Glacier Monitoring Services also work to track changes in glaciers worldwide.
• The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Preservation to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts.

b. Efforts in India

• India has established the National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to protect glaciers in the region.
• The research station 'Himansh' was set up in the Chandra basin in Himachal Pradesh in 2016 to study and monitor glacier changes in the area.

"First Human Recipient of GM Pig Kidney Dies"

Why Pigs are Commonly Used for Xenotransplantation

• Pigs are often used for xenotransplantation due to their similar organ size, physiological metabolism, and immune system to humans.
• Various organs such as the heart, liver, and lungs can be used for xenotransplantation from pigs.
• In 2022, the first xenotransplantation of a genetically-modified pig heart was successfully performed.
• Breeding pigs on farms is cost-effective and widespread, providing a good supply of organs for transplantation.
• Different pig breeds are farmed, allowing for harvested organs to be matched with the specific needs of human recipients.

The Process of Xenotransplantation

• Gene editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 is used to eliminate specific pig genes that trigger immune responses and introduce human genes to enhance organ compatibility with humans.

Benefits of Xenotransplantation

• Xenotransplantation provides an alternative supply of organs for individuals with life-threatening diseases.
• It helps reduce the shortage of transplantable organs for patients in need.

Concerns with Xenotransplantation

• Some concerns with xenotransplantation include a high organ rejection rate, the risk of infection from an animal organ, and animal welfare issues.

Genetically engineering pigs as organ donors:-

• Genetically modifying pigs using gene editing technology to create altered pig cells for organ donation.
• Using these modified pig cells to develop pig embryos.
• Raising genetically engineered pigs in a controlled, bio-sealed environment.
• Removing organs from adult pigs and transplanting them into patients.
• Patients needing to take immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection of the new organ.

"UNODC Releases 2024 World Wildlife Crime Report"

Key findings

• Rhinoceroses and cedars were the most impacted animal and plant species during 2015-2021.
• The largest numbers of seizures reported during this period involved corals, followed by crocodilians and elephants.
• There was a gradual increase in seizures of animal species from 2015-2019, followed by a decline in 2020 and 2021.
• Seizures of plant species saw a sharp increase in 2020 and 2021.

Wildlife crime

• Wildlife crime involves the taking, possession, trade, movement, or consumption of wild animals and plants or their derivatives in violation of international, regional, or national legislation.

Factors driving wildlife crime

• Demand for items such as medicine, pets, bushmeat, and ornamental plants.
• Illegal traders earn huge profits by selling exotic animals and plants, such as rhinoceros horn.
• Corruption undermines government restrictions on wildlife harvest, trade, and use, enabling wildlife crime.

Impact of Wildlife Crime

• Environmental impacts include overexploitation and reduced populations of wildlife species, as well as the spread of invasive alien species.
• 40% of seized fauna were threatened or near-threatened on the red list.
• Economically, wildlife crime contributes to money laundering and illegal cross-border financial flows.
• Social impacts include the risk of disease transmission from live animals, plants, and wildlife meat, as well as the degradation of essential services like food, medicines, and energy.

Steps taken to combat Wildlife Crime

a. Global

• The UNODC's Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime was established in 2014 to address wildlife crime.
• The Wildlife Crime Initiative is a strategic partnership between TRAFFIC and the World Wildlife Fund to respond to the global poaching crisis.

b. India

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 allows for the forfeiture of equipment, vehicles, or weapons used in committing wildlife offenses.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau was established under the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India to combat organized wildlife crime.

"China Overtakes as India's Top Trading Partner"

India's Bilateral Trade with China in FY24

• According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), India's bilateral trade with China reached $118.4 billion in the fiscal year 2024.
• China has replaced the United States as India's top trading partner, a position held during FY22 and FY23.

Trends in India's Trade with China

• GTRI's report also noted that between FY19 and FY24, India's exports to China saw a slight decrease of 0.6%, while imports from China increased significantly by 44.7%.

Concerns related to rising import Dependency on China

• National Security Concerns: Trade with China could potentially be used as a tool to exert political pressure on India or advance China's strategic interests, complicating efforts to address border disputes effectively. Additionally, reliance on Chinese technology and equipment in critical sectors like telecom could make India more vulnerable to cyber warfare.
• Strategic Autonomy Concerns: India's dependence on Chinese imports limits its ability to counter Chinese influence in neighboring regions like South Asia and the Indian Ocean.
• Supply Chain Vulnerability: India's pharmaceutical sector heavily relies on China for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), posing a risk to the supply chain.
• Impact on Domestic Industries: Import dependency on China could stifle the growth of domestic industries as they struggle to compete with low-cost imports.

Initiatives taken to reduce Dependency on China

• Make in India Initiative: Encouraging domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on Chinese imports.
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes: Providing incentives for domestic manufacturing capacities in critical sectors such as medical devices and electronic components.
• Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks: Reducing import dependency for APIs by promoting domestic production.
• Imposing Anti-Dumping Duties: Implementing measures to protect domestic industries from unfair competition from Chinese imports.

Indian Literary Works Included in UNESCO's MOW Asia-Pacific Register

1. Manuscripts of Indian Literary Works in Memory of the World (MOW) Asia-Pacific Regional Register.

a. Ramcharitmanas.

• Written by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th Century.
• Epic poem in Awadhi language with Seven Kāndas.
• Poetic retelling of events from the Ramayana.

b. Panchatantra.

• Written by Pt. Vishnu Sharma in Sanskrit.
• Oldest collection of Indian Fables with 'Story within story' structure.
• Consists of five parts.

c. Sahrdayāloka-Locana.

• Written by Acharya Anandvardhan in Sanskrit.
• Text of Indian Poetics with a commentary by Abinava Gupta.

2. Memory of the World Programme Overview.

• Launched in 1992 with three Registers: International, Regional, and National.
• International Register includes Indian entries like Tamil Medical Manuscript Collection and Rig Veda.
• Aims to preserve world's documentary heritage, provide universal access, and enhance public awareness.