Daily Current Affairs UPSC 17 April 2024

Bumblebees

• Bumblebees belong to the genus Bombus and are crucial pollinators for many wildflowers.
• They are fuzzy insects with short, stubby wings and are larger than honeybees.
• Bumblebees are known for buzz pollination, where their wings beat at high speeds to vibrate flowers and release pollen.
• They use dance to communicate 'food alert' signals to other members of their colony.
• Threats to bumblebees include habitat fragmentation and disease transmission.

Noyyal River

• The Noyyal River in Tamil Nadu is facing pollution and choking issues due to plastics and sewage.
• The river originates from the Velliangiri hills, a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• It flows through Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Karur, and Erode districts before joining the Cauvery River.
• Historical significance includes excavated remains of storage tanks and check dams from the Chalukya and Chola periods.
• The Central Government has provided financial assistance from the National River Restoration Fund for the restoration of the Noyyal River.

Legal person

Treaty between New Zealand and Cook Islands on Recognizing Whales as Legal Persons

• New Zealand and the Cook Islands have agreed to treat whales as legal persons.
• This means that whales have legal rights and can engage in legal activities like humans.

Whanganui River Declared as Legal Entity by New Zealand

• New Zealand has given legal recognition to the Whanganui River as a legal entity.
• This allows the river to have legal rights and responsibilities like a person.

Definition of Legal Person

• A legal person is a human or non-human entity recognized as having legal rights and responsibilities.
• Legal persons can engage in legal activities such as owning property, entering contracts, and suing or being sued.

Rogue Waves

• Rogue waves are massive waves that are more than twice the size of surrounding waves.
• They can form in both freshwater bodies and the ocean.
• Rogue waves are steep-sided with deep troughs.
• These waves are unpredictable, dangerous, and can cause damage to ships and coastal infrastructure.

Padta Bet

Discovery of 5,200-year-old Harappan settlement at Padta Bet in Kachchh, Gujarat

• Located near Juna Khatiya, an Early Harappan necropolis

Evidence of occupation from Early Harappan to Late Harappan periods

• Pottery findings include large storage jars, small bowls, and dishes
• Artefacts found include semi-precious stone beads, terracotta spindle whorls, copper, and lithic tools
• Animal bones representing cattle, sheep or goat, and edible shell fragments suggest animal domestication

Use of tool by fishes

1. Discovery of Tool-Using Fish in the Laccadive Sea

• Three new species of wrasse fish, Jansen’s, checkerboard, and moon, have been found using tools in the Laccadive Sea.
• These fish use live or dead coral structures as anvils to break the hard shells of sea urchins for food.

2. Specialized Behaviors for Tool Use

• Fish lack hands, claws, or tentacles, so they have developed specialized behaviors for tool use.
• These behaviors allow them to effectively use tools despite their physical limitations.

3. Rare Instances of Tool Use in Fish

• The use of tools by fish is considered rare, as they are often perceived as less intelligent and less capable of complex cognitive tasks.
• The discovery of these tool-using wrasse fish challenges previous assumptions about the cognitive abilities of fish.

Operation Iron Shield

• Israel's successful interception of drones and missiles launched by Iran has been officially named operation "Iron Shield."
• Israel has a multi-layered defense system in place to protect itself, including Arrow-2, Arrow-3, David's Sling, and Iron Dome active defense systems.
• Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 intercept medium to long-range missiles, while David's Sling intercepts short to medium and medium to long-range missiles.
• Iron Dome is the world's first missile defense system designed to address the threat of short-range rockets and UAVs.
• Iron Dome is capable of handling multiple incoming threats simultaneously.

Nitroplast

1. Discovery of Nitroplast in Marine Algae Braarudosphaera Bigelowii

• Researchers have identified a new organelle, called nitroplast, in the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii.
• Nitroplast has the ability to fix nitrogen, converting nitrogen gas into a usable form for cell growth.

2. Nitrogen Fixation in Eukaryotes

• While nitrogen fixation is typically associated with bacteria and archaea, Braarudosphaera bigelowii is the first known nitrogen-fixing eukaryote.

3. Implications of Nitroplast Discovery

• The discovery of nitroplast in Braarudosphaera bigelowii has significant implications for sustainable agriculture.
• It has the potential to improve crop yields, reduce the need for fertilizers, and promote environmental stewardship.

Greece (Capital: Athens)

A recent report has raised concerns about Greece experiencing a significant decrease in its population.

Political Features:

• Location: Greece is located at the southernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula.
• Bordering water bodies: Greece is bordered by the Aegean Sea to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Ionian Sea to the west.
• Land Borders: Greece shares borders with Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

Geographical Features:

• Rivers: Some of the major rivers in Greece include Acheloos, Evros (Maritsa), and Nestos.
• Mountains: Greece is home to Mount Olympus, which is the highest mountain in the country, as well as Mount Smolikas and Mount Voutsikaki.

"Enhancing BWIs for Modern Challenges"

Report from BWC's Multilateral Reform Working Group

• The first report from BWC's Multilateral Reform Working Group (MRWG) focuses on strengthening the multilateral system.
• BWC, established in 1983, is a non-profit organization dedicated to effective global economic and financial cooperation.

BWIs and Multilateralism

• BWIs, established in 1944 by 43 countries, include the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the goal of rebuilding the post-war economy and promoting international economic cooperation.
• Multilateralism led by International Financial Institutions has driven high growth and globalization, benefiting the global population.

Challenges to Growth

• Crises in the global commons have negatively impacted the world economy, eroding gains in health, education, and productivity.
• Progress in addressing these challenges has been slow due to the fragmentation of the global economy and increased geopolitical tensions.

Recommendations for Strengthening BWIs

• Establish ministerial-level Councils in BWIs to oversee global commons issues.
• Develop instruments and institutional arrangements to finance climate challenges.
• Expand climate-linked financial instruments.
• Create a permanent mechanism to review progress on global financing and implementation plans.

Global Commons

• Global commons are areas of the planet outside national jurisdictions that all nations have access to.
• International law identifies four global commons: the High Seas, the Atmosphere, Antarctica, and Outer Space.

IADC Annual Meeting: Addressing Space Debris

• ISRO Chief's Announcement on Debris-Free Space Missions by 2030
• In a meeting, the ISRO Chief stated that India's goal is to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030.

Space Debris Definition and Impact

• Space debris refers to non-functional, artificial objects in Earth's orbit or re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
• Collisions with debris can disable operational spacecraft and pose a threat to space exploration.
• The Kessler syndrome is the uncontrolled growth of debris leading to an escalating cascade of collisions.
• Large space debris re-entering the atmosphere can pose a risk to life on Earth.

Initiatives for Space Debris Mitigation

ISRO INITIATIVES:

• ISRO's IS4OM system for safe and sustainable space operations management.
• ISRO's Project NETRA for establishing a space surveillance and tracking network.

GLOBAL INITIATIVES: 

• Global initiatives like REMOVEDEBRIS for active debris removal technology demonstrations.
• UN Liability Convention and UN Registration Convention for addressing space debris issues.

International Association for the Advancement of Space Debris Coordination (IADC)

• Established in 1993 as a forum for space agencies, organizations, and governmental bodies.
• Purpose includes exchanging information on space debris research, facilitating cooperation, and identifying mitigation options.
• Provides technical recommendations to the world space communities.
• Members include space agencies of 13 countries, including ISRO, NASA, Russia, and others.

"Low Women's Representation in Indian STEM Academia: Study"

Women in STEM in India

• India has the highest percentage of women STEM graduates globally (40%), but only 14% of STEM jobs are held by women (CSIR report 2022).
• The 'Leaky Pipeline' phenomenon refers to the gradual dropping of women out of the STEM workforce due to reasons like marriage, childbirth, lack of family support, and gender-blind institutional structures.

Need for women in STEM

• Address shortage of skilled workers in STEM fields.
• Ensure gender diversity in the global digital economy.
• Narrow the gender pay gap and enhance women's economic security.
• Promote young girls to pursue STEM careers by showcasing women in prominent roles.

Recommendations for promoting Women in STEM careers

• Institute stable mentorships and support networks in organizations.
• Mandate the creation of an 'Office for Equity and Inclusion' in every institution
• Ensure representation of women scientists on all panels related to career drives, recruitments, budget proposals, etc.
• Set up daycare centers on campus to support working mothers in STEM fields.

Initiatives to promote Women in STEM

• Promoting Women in STEM through International Declarations: The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action calls for women's equal access to science and technology, promoting gender equality in STEM fields.
• Gender Budgeting in Indian Scientific Institutions: Indian scientific institutions, including CSIR, are required to incorporate women-friendly policies under the Centre's scheme of gender budgeting, promoting gender diversity in STEM.
• Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST): WEST provides a platform for women researchers and scientists in STEM fields, encouraging their participation and advancement in these areas.
• Other Initiatives: CURIE, KIRAN, BioCARe, and other initiatives also aim to promote women in STEM by providing support, resources, and opportunities for women in these fields.

UNCTAD Trade and Development Report Update (April 2024)

Global Merchandise Trade Challenges

• In 2023, global merchandise trade decreased by 1% due to trade tensions, subdued demand, and disruptions in shipping routes.
• Impact of Developed Economies' Monetary Policy on Developing Economies
• Rapid tightening of monetary policy by major developed economies has led to higher debt servicing costs, difficulty in securing new financing, and depreciation of developing countries' currencies.
• Double digit interest rates in developing countries have negatively impacted domestic demand, employment, and household incomes.

Global Debt Crisis

• Developing countries are struggling with increasing debt payment obligations.
• In 2022, developing countries paid $50 billion more to external creditors than they received in new loans.
• By 2023, nine low income countries had fallen into debt distress, with 25 more on the brink.

IMF Reforms to Support Debt Restructurings

• The IMF Executive Board endorsed reforms to enhance the IMF's capacity to support countries undergoing debt restructurings.
• Reforms aim to streamline processes and facilitate timely and effective interventions during debt crises.

"Confirmation of 4th Global Coral Bleaching Event"

Mass Coral Bleaching Event in 2023

• In early 2023, a mass bleaching event has been observed in coral reefs in 53 countries, territories, and local economies, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This is the second such event in the past decade, with the previous one occurring from 2014 to 2017.

Coral Classification and Formation

• Corals are invertebrate animals belonging to the group Cnidaria, classified as hard coral (reef-building corals with a calcareous skeleton) or soft coral. Coral reefs are formed by polyps of hard corals that establish a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae.

Growth Conditions for Coral Reefs

• Coral reefs thrive in warm (23–29°C), salty (32-42 ppt), clear, shallow marine waters with stable temperatures and abundant sunlight.

Significance of Coral Reefs

• Coral reefs are often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean due to their high biodiversity and productivity. They support around 25% of marine life, minimize storm impacts, promote tourism, and act as carbon sinks.

Coral Bleaching and Causes

• Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae due to stress from changes in conditions like temperature, light, or nutrients, causing them to turn white. Factors responsible for coral bleaching include increased ocean temperatures due to climate change, runoff and pollution, extreme low tides, and ocean acidification.

Conservation Measures for Coral Reefs

• Globally, initiatives like the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), and Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) are working towards conserving coral reefs. In India, measures such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), and coral restoration through Biorock technology are being implemented to protect coral reefs.

Panel Formed to Address Queer Community Issues

Committee Formation in Compliance with Supreme Court Direction

• The committee, led by the Cabinet Secretary, was established following a directive from the Supreme Court in the Supriyo v Union of India case (2023).
• The Supreme Court had declined to recognize same-sex marriages, stating that it was a matter for Parliament to address.

Recommendations of the Committee

• The committee will suggest measures to prevent discrimination against the queer community in accessing goods and services.
• It will also work to ensure that queer individuals are not subjected to involuntary medical treatments, violence, coercion, etc.

Understanding the Queer Community

• The queer community includes individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex).
• Many members of this community face challenges such as social exclusion, homelessness, limited education, and restricted access to healthcare.
• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, aims to safeguard their rights and well-being.

Previous Supreme Court Judgments on the Queer Community

• Deepika Singh vs Central Administrative Tribunal, 2022: Recognized that families can take various forms, including unmarried or queer relationships, and are entitled to legal protection under Article 14.
• Navtej Singh Johar Vs. UoI (2018): Decriminalized homosexuality in India.
• NALSA vs Union of India (UoI), 2014: Granted legal recognition to transgender persons.