Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (31-07-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Geography: INCOIS revises outlook, forecasts ‘La Niña’ from September |
| Environment and Ecology: India’s open ecosystems facing an unusual threat |
| Wildfires are destroying forest lands equal to 68 million football fields every year: FAO |
| Economy: Ministry of Textiles approves 19 research projects under National Technical Textiles Mission |
| Social Justice: Children in six drought-hit southern African countries at risk of severe acute malnutrition: UNICEF |
INCOIS revises outlook, forecasts ‘La Niña’ from September
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 1 Geography
Context: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and La Nina
Why in News
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has revised the outlook for the probability of ‘La Nina’ weather condition in Pacific Ocean.
Overview of La Niña
- La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, in contrast to El Niño, which involves unusually warm ocean temperatures.
- La Niña typically aids in enhancing monsoon rains, which is crucial for agricultural productivity and water resources in many regions.
Recent Forecast by INCOIS
- The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has recently revised its outlook regarding the probability of La Niña conditions developing in the Pacific Ocean.
- Using a deep learning-based ‘Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN)’ model, INCOIS forecasts a high probability of La Niña development from September, with a peak in November, and continuing influence until December, with a probability as high as 70%.
Evolution and Predictions
- INCOIS predicted a high probability (70-90%) of La Niña development in the July-September period and its continuation until February 2025 (50-70%).
Current Bulletin Insights
The latest bulletin from INCOIS indicates:
- Near neutral sea surface temperature conditions in the eastern and Central Pacific Ocean until August and September.
- A high probability (50-70%) of La Niña development from September to January.
- A peak probability of 70% for La Niña conditions in November.
- A probability of 55% for La Niña conditions to retreat around February 2025.
Historical Conditions
- There was a prevailing El Niño condition in the Pacific Ocean until March/April 2024, followed by neutral conditions.
- By June 2024, a subsurface negative temperature anomaly was observed, indicating the potential development of La Niña conditions.
Impact of El Niño and La Niña on India
- El Niño conditions have historically had adverse effects on the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, impacting the country’s agricultural productivity and economic well-being.
- Additionally, El Niño contributes to stronger and prolonged marine heatwaves in the northern Indian Ocean, which:
- Disrupt the ecological balance.
- Damage coral reefs.
- Cause significant losses to the fishery industry.
Importance of Monitoring and Prediction
Monitoring El Niño conditions and predicting their evolution with sufficient lead time is crucial for:
- Better preparedness.
- Effective policymaking.
- Minimizing adverse impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and overall economic stability.
La Nina
- La Nina means The Little Girl in Spanish. It is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Nino, or simply “a cold event.”
- La Nina events represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
- It is indicated by sea-surface temperature decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at least five successive three-month seasons.
- La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets comparatively colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific.
The Conditions of La Nina
- La Nina is caused by a build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific, the area of the Pacific Ocean between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
- La Nina is characterized by lower-than-normal air pressure over the western Pacific. These low-pressure zones contribute to increased rainfall.
- La Nina events are also associated with rainier-than-normal conditions over southeastern Africa and northern Brazil.
- However, strong La Nina events are associated with catastrophic floods in northern Australia.
- La Nina is also characterized by higher-than-normal pressure over the central and eastern Pacific.
- This results in decreased cloud production and rainfall in that region.
- Drier-than-normal conditions are observed along the west coast of tropical South America, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and the pampas region of southern South America.
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- INCOIS is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- It is located in Hyderabad & was established in 1999. It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), New Delhi.
- The ESSO operates as an executive arm of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) for its policies and programmes.
- It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvement through systematic and focused research.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q1. Which of the following statements is correct about La Niña?
A. It is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. B. It is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. C. It has no significant impact on global weather patterns. D. It only occurs in the Indian Ocean. |
Q. The most important fishing grounds of the world are found in the regions where: (2013)
(a) warm and cold atmospheric currents meet (b) rivers drain out large amounts of fresh water into the sea (c) warm and cold oceanic currents meet (d) continental shelf is undulating Ans: C |
| Answer 1- B
Explanation:
|
India’s open ecosystems facing an unusual threat
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 Environment and Ecology
Context: Threats to Indian Ecosystem
Why in News
- A study published in Global Change Biology by scientists from the Universities of Witwatersrand, Cape Town, and Oxford found that increasing tree cover in open ecosystems such as savannahs and grasslands has significantly decreased native grassland bird populations.
Overview
- Increasing tree cover is often viewed as beneficial for biodiversity conservation and combating climate change.
- However, this can have unintended negative consequences when it occurs in areas that historically hosted different habitats, such as grasslands and savannahs.
Importance of Grasslands and Savannahs
- Grasslands and savannahs are biodiverse habitats covering nearly 40% of the earth’s landmass.
- They are home to many endemic and at-risk species, including megaherbivores like elephants and rhinoceroses, and grassland birds like bustards and floricans.
Threats to Grasslands
- Grasslands are under threat from activities such as intensive agriculture, erosion, large-scale development, and overgrazing. Surprisingly, increasing tree cover, known as woody encroachment, is also a significant threat.
Woody Encroachment: A Growing Problem
- Woody encroachment involves the conversion of open habitats to those with greater tree cover and shrub density, leading to the homogenization of ecosystems.
- This conversion disrupts the natural grassy understory and the scattering of native tree species typical of open ecosystems.
Causes of Woody Encroachment
- Increased atmospheric CO2 levels favor trees over grasses due to the C3 photosynthetic pathway used by trees.
- Other drivers include fire suppression and fragmentation in South American grasslands, and variations in rainfall in Australia and Africa.
Impact on Indian Grasslands
- India’s grasslands occur across different climatic regimes, including arid grasslands in the west, floodplain grasslands in the Himalayas, and high-altitude Shola grasslands in the Western Ghats.
Threats and Fragmentation
- Indian grasslands are highly threatened, with many now occurring only in protected areas like national parks.
- However, woody encroachment remains rampant even within these parks, leading to significant habitat loss.
Colonial Legacy
- Colonial conservation policies often regarded open ecosystems as “wastelands,” leading to their conversion into plantations and other uses.
- This legacy continues today, with many viewing trees as essential for carbon sequestration, overlooking the historical presence and importance of grasslands.
Decline in Biodiversity
- Woody encroachment has led to significant declines in grassland birds and specialist rodents.
- For example, in the southern African countries, a study using citizen science data revealed dramatic declines in bird populations correlated with woody encroachment.
Solutions and Future Actions
- Need for More Evidence: To combat woody encroachment, more evidence of its impact is needed. Long-term ecological monitoring can provide valuable information for conservation efforts.
- Dismantling Misclassifications: In India, it is crucial to dismantle colonial terminologies like “wastelands” that misclassify open ecosystems and promote their conversion for other purposes.
- Policy and Science: More science and evidence-based policies are needed to address the adverse effects of woody encroachment and protect open ecosystems.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the impact of increasing tree cover in grasslands:
Which of the above statements are correct? A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 3 only C. 2 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 |
Which one of the following is the best description of the term ‘ecosystem’? (2015)
A A community of’ organisms interacting with one another B That part of the Earth which is inhabited by living organisms C A community of organisms together with the environment in which they live D The flora and fauna of a geographical area Ans: C |
| Answer 2 – B
Explanation:
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Ministry of Textiles approves 19 research projects under National Technical Textiles Mission
Source: PIB
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2039231
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 Industries, Economy
Context: National Technical Textiles Mission
Why in News
- The Mission Steering Group under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Textiles has approved 19 research projects.
Approval of Research Projects
- The Mission Steering Group, chaired by the Union Minister of Textiles, has approved 19 research projects with an approximate value of INR 21 Cr.
- These projects span various fields of technical textiles, including composites, geo textiles, smart textiles, and related machinery.
- This approval occurred during the 9th Mission Steering Group meeting and reflects a strategic investment in advancing research in these key areas.
Review of Progress and Initiatives:
- The Union Minister of Textiles reviewed the progress of several aspects under the National Technical Textiles Mission. This includes:
- R&D: Monitoring ongoing research and development efforts.
- Promotion and Market Development: Evaluating strategies to promote technical textiles and develop market opportunities.
- Export Promotion: Reviewing initiatives to enhance exports of technical textiles.
- Education, Training, and Skill Development: Assessing efforts to improve education, provide training, and develop skills related to technical textiles.
Review of Applications and Initiatives:
- The Union Minister reviewed 27 applications from 16 public and 11 private institutes. These applications were related to:
- Introducing Papers on Technical Textiles: Efforts to contribute to academic and practical knowledge in the field.
- Procuring Lab Infrastructure: Acquiring necessary equipment and facilities for research and development.
- Training of Trainers: Programs to train individuals who will then educate others in the field.
- Internship and Skilling Initiatives: Reviewing initiatives aimed at providing internships and skill development opportunities for individuals in the technical textiles sector.
Participants in the Meeting:
- The meeting saw participation from a wide range of high-profile attendees, including:
- Members of NITI Aayog and Principal Scientific Adviser: Key policy and advisory figures.
- Chairman of ISRO and Senior Officials from Various Ministries: Representatives from organizations and departments like Science & Technology, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Road Transport and Highways, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, and others.
- Industry and Association Members: Eminent figures from relevant industries and associations contributed to discussions and decisions related to the Mission.
National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
- National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM was approved in 2020 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) with total outlay of Rs.1480 Crore.
- The implementation period is four years, from FY 2020-21 to FY 2023-24.
- Aim:
- The aim of the mission is to position India as a global leader in Technical Textiles by taking the domestic market size from USD 40 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024.
- It also supports the ‘Make in India’ Initiative promoting domestic manufacturing of related machinery and equipment.
Components:
- First component: It will focus on research, development and innovation with an outlay of Rs. 1,000 crores.
- The research will be at both fiber level and application-based in geo, agro, medical, sports and mobile textiles and the development of biodegradable technical textiles.
- Research activities will also focus on the development of indigenous machinery and process equipment.
- Second component: It will be for the promotion and development of the market for technical textiles.
- The penetration level of technical textiles is low in India varying between 5-10% against the level of 30-70% in developed countries.
- The Mission will aim at an average growth rate of 15-20% per annum by 2024.
- Third component: It will focus on export promotion so that technical textile exports from the country reach from Rs 14,000 crores to Rs 20,000 crores by 2021-2022 and ensure 10% average growth every year till the Mission ends.
- An export promotion council for technical textiles will be set up.
- Fourth component: It will focus on education, training and skill development.
- The Mission will promote technical education at higher engineering and technology levels related to technical textiles and its application areas.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q3. Consider the following statements about the National Technical Textiles Mission:
Which of the above statements are correct? A. 1 and 3 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 2 only D. 1, 2, and 3 |
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2018)
Craft Heritage of 1. Puthukkuli shawls Tamil Nadu 2. Sujni embroidery Maharashtra 3. Uppada Jamdani Karnataka saris Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3 Ans: (a) |
| Answer 3 A
Explanation
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Children in six drought-hit southern African countries at risk of severe acute malnutrition: UNICEF
Source: DownToearth
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2 Social Justice, International Relations
Context: Severe acute malnutrition among children
Why in News
- A severe drought in Southern Africa is affecting the lives of over 270,000 children across the six hardest-hit nations, according to a statement by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Impact on Children
- A severe drought in Southern Africa is affecting over 270,000 children in the hardest-hit countries.
- According to UNICEF, these children are expected to experience life-threatening severe acute malnutrition in 2024.
- The drought’s impact on children underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and intervention.
State of Food Disaster:
- Lesotho has declared a state of national food disaster due to the El Niño-induced weather conditions, which have resulted in extremely low rainfall.
- This declaration follows similar actions by Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, all of which have also faced severe drought conditions affecting their food security.
Drought Declarations and Effects:
- Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe: Between February and April 2024, these countries declared droughts as national disasters. The drought has severely impacted food production, with specific details:
- Malawi: Severe El Niño-driven weather patterns have led to significant crop destruction and disrupted food production in 23 out of 28 districts, affecting nine million households.
- Zambia: The drought has affected 86 of 117 districts, impacting over 9.8 million people.
- Zimbabwe: Over 80% of the country received below-average rainfall, damaging 12% of the planted corn farmland.
Child Food Poverty:
- According to UNICEF, 7.4 million children in Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe live in child food poverty, with over two million surviving on extremely poor diets.
- The drought exacerbates existing issues related to food security and nutrition.
Consequences of Climate Shocks:
- The climate shocks from the drought significantly reduce the amount, variety, and quality of food available.
- They also adversely affect child care and disrupt access to clean water, increasing the risk of diseases such as diarrheal.
- The prolonged impacts of El Niño are expected to worsen these humanitarian crises.
Call for Action:
- UNICEF urges partners to enhance the region’s response to the evolving emergency.
- This includes investing in building family and societal resilience through diverse food systems, clean water, sanitation services, climate-informed education, and climate-responsive health care.
- Ensuring uninterrupted access to essential services for children is also emphasized.
Expansion of Lifesaving Programs:
- Besides building resilience, UNICEF calls for the rapid expansion and intensification of lifesaving programs to mitigate the risk of malnutrition and other adverse effects on children.
- This is critical to address the immediate needs and long-term impacts of the drought.
Severe acute malnutrition among children
- Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a life-threatening condition resulting from a deficiency of essential nutrients and energy.
- It is characterized by extreme weight loss, wasting, and in severe cases, visible signs of malnutrition such as swelling (edema) and a significant reduction in muscle mass and body fat.
- SAM requires immediate medical attention to prevent death and to treat its complications.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM):
Which of the above statements are correct? A. 1 and 3 only |
Which of the following is/are the indicators/ indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (2016)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only Ans: (c) |
| Answer 4 C
Explanation
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Wildfires are destroying forest lands equal to 68 million football fields every year: FAO
Source: Down To Earth
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 3 Environment and Ecology
Context: Impact of Wildfires on Forest land
Why in News
- Every year, approximately 34 million to 37 million hectares of forested land gets incinerated due to wildfires.
Historical Context and New Developments
- The FAO’s previous guidelines for forest fire management were issued nearly 20 years ago.
- The new guidelines build on past knowledge while addressing contemporary challenges posed by climate change and evolving fire dynamics.
Annual Forest Loss Due to Wildfires
- Every year, approximately 34 million to 37 million hectares of forested land are destroyed by wildfires, a loss comparable to 68 million football fields.
- This annual destruction has significant implications for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate stability.
- Furthermore, the incidence of forest fires is expected to increase by up to 50% by the end of the century due to climate change factors such as rising temperatures, increased drought, and stronger winds.
- This projection highlights the urgent need for effective fire management strategies.
FAO’s Updated Guidelines for Fire Management
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has expressed concern about the escalating severity and duration of forest fires and has issued updated guidelines for managing these fires.
- The FAO’s guidelines emphasize a balanced approach that integrates scientific research and traditional knowledge.
- They advocate for proactive measures before fires start, effective management during fires, and restoration efforts afterward.
- The guidelines are intended to enhance resilience and adaptability in fire management strategies.
Impact on Sustainable Development
- Severe forest fires pose significant threats to sustainable development by endangering local communities and contributing to substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
- The FAO stresses the importance of incorporating traditional knowledge from local communities into fire management strategies.
- Engaging local people is crucial for preventing fires, managing outbreaks, and restoring affected areas.
- This approach ensures that fire management strategies are practical, culturally relevant, and more likely to succeed.
Global Fire Management Hub
- The Global Fire Management Hub, launched in 2023 by the FAO and UNEP, aims to coordinate global efforts and enhance national fire management strategies.
- Supported by countries including Canada, France, Germany, Portugal, South Korea, and the U.S., with initial funding of $5 million, the hub facilitates international collaboration and resource sharing.
- This support helps establish a robust framework for addressing global fire management challenges.
Food and Agriculture Organization
- FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
- World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16th October. The day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945.
- It is one of the UN food aid organisations based in Rome (Italy).
- Its sister bodies are the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Initiatives Taken:
- Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).
- Monitors the Desert Locust situation throughout the world.
- The Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC is the body responsible for all matters regarding the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
- The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was adopted by the Thirty-First Session of the Conference of the FAO in 2001.
Flagship Publications:
- The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA).
- The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO).
- The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
- The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA).
- The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO).
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q5. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has recently issued updated guidelines for managing forest fires. Which of the following statements is correct regarding these guidelines?
A. The guidelines emphasize scientific approaches only, disregarding traditional knowledge. B. The guidelines recommend actions only during and after a fire but not before it starts. C. The guidelines advocate for integrating both scientific approaches and traditional knowledge, emphasizing proactive, during, and post-fire actions. D. The guidelines focus solely on increasing international funding and support for fire management. |
Q. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative? (2016)
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 3 only Ans: (b) |
| Answer 5 C
Explanation
|