• +91 7293 010 102
  • info@mymentorias.com

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

My Mentor's Daily Current Affairs Analysis



DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 JUN 2022

KEY CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH RAPID URBANIZATION

GS Paper - 1 - Issues Relating to Development - Urbanization

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, the UN-Habitat has identified issues associated with Jaipur city like multi hazard vulnerabilities, weak mobility and Green-Blue economy and has laid out a plan to increase sustainability in the city.

  • The urban problems which persist in Jaipur are the same for other cities.
  • UN-Habitat has based its findings on sustainable cities integrated approach pilot project and a “sustainable urban planning and management” component was implemented in partnership with the Jaipur Development Authority and Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporation.
    • The project has received funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF-6) to estimate the carbon sequestration potential of Indian cities.

WHAT IS THE FINDINGS OF THE PROJECT?

  • Jaipur got an overall sustainability rating of three on the Urban Sustainability Assessment Framework (USAF) based on the information collected for 87 of its 131 parameters.
    • The Urban Sustainability Assessment Framework (USAF) developed under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Approach Pilot (SCIAP) project, implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and UN-Habitat.
  • The UN-Habitat highlighted the following problems which are faced by the city:
    • Weak access to a public transportation system, with less number of buses and poor route delineation.
    • Extreme levels of drought during summer and also urban floods.
    • Lack green cover which has resulted in the urban heat island effect that has disrupted biodiversity.

WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF UN-HABITAT?

  • Experts recommended measures that increase the green cover, strengthen urban biodiversity, and thereby enhance the quality of life for citizens.
  • To address the challenges of urban sprawling, the UN-Habitat emphasised the idea of a compact city with re-development and re-densification of the existing urban areas.
    • Experts also recommended that linking the distance from the main city to the development charges imposed on citizens could be considered as an indirect measure to curb development on the city’s outskirts.
  • To improve the situation of public transportation, fare integration for different modes of transport and enhancing the non-motorised transport infrastructure would make movement convenient and reduce traffic and vehicle emissions.
  • The 800 dry wells in Jaipur’s Walled City could be used for rainwater harvesting and raising the water table, mitigating urban floods and ensuring efficient utilisation of water resources.
  • Eco-trails with plantations along natural drainage channels and railway tracks are recommended in the city.
  • Experts from the Tourism & Wildlife Society of India (TWSI) said that the urban development authorities should measure oxygen produced and carbon dioxide released each day in each urban complex and plan the green cover accordingly and also select the species of plants with utmost caution since only indigenous, broad-leaved and tap-root trees produce more shade and oxygen.

WHAT IS THE UN-HABITAT?

  • The United Nations Human Settlements Programme is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development.
  • It was established in 1978 as an outcome of the First UN Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat I) held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1976.
  • UN-Habitat maintains its headquarters at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya.
  • It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
  • It is a member of the United Nations Development Group. The mandate of UN-Habitat derives from the Habitat Agenda, adopted by the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1996.
  • The twin goals of the Habitat Agenda are:
    • Adequate shelter for all
    • The development of sustainable human settlements in an urbanizing world

WHAT IS GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITY(GEF)?

WAY FORWARD

  • According to the Census of 2011 approximately 31% of population of India lives in cities and it is estimated that it contributes more than 6o% in the GDP of India and in the upcoming years it is estimated in different reports that it will comprise of approximately 70% population with increased GDP contribution.
  • The increasing population of urban areas also increases urban challenges like congested space, proliferation of slums etc. Thus, there is a need to pursue sustainable model for the inclusive and healthy development of the cities.

 

Source:TH

NATIONAL THERMAL POWER CORPORATION LIMITED ISSUED A RENEWED BIODIVERSITY POLICY 2022

GS Paper - 3 - Environmental Pollution & Degradation - Government Policies & Interventions - International Treaties & Agreements - Important International Institutions

NTPC releases 'Biodiversity Policy' for conservation, restoration of  biodiversity – ThePrint – ANIFeed

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC Ltd.) has issued a renewed Biodiversity Policy 2022 to establish a comprehensive vision and guiding principle for conservation, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity.

  • It is an integral part of NTPC’s Environmental Policy and its objectives are aligned with environmental and sustainability policies.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE POLICY?

  • Support Professionals to achieve Biodiversity Target:
    • The policy is designed to support all the professionals of the NTPC Group to help them contribute toward the achievement of the targets set in this field.
      • NTPC has always been mindful about avoiding operations in areas with the highest biodiversity value and judiciously selecting project sites.
      • Company's efforts will be further strengthened to ensure that biodiversity is not lost at any of its currently operating sites and that there is a net positive balance wherever possible.
  • Mainstreaming the Concept of Biodiversity:
    • The major aim is to mainstream the concept of biodiversity across NTPC’s value chain.
    • It also aims to adopt a precautionary approach for sustainable management of biodiversity in all the decision-making processes to ensure the Earth's variety of life in and around the business units of NTPC.
  • Addressing Local Threats:
    • The policy also aims to adopt systematic consideration of local threats to biodiversity beyond the company’s business activities.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER RELATED STEPS TAKEN BY NTPC?

  • Raising Awareness:
    • NTPC is raising awareness among local communities, employees, and its associates across the supply chain about biodiversity through project-specific and national level training in collaboration with experts.
  • Through Collaboration:
    • NTPC is also collaborating with local communities, organizations, regulatory agencies and research institutes of national/international repute in the field of biodiversity.
  • Adhering to Legal Compliances:
    • NTPC will be adhering to legal compliances with respect to biodiversity by complying with rules and regulations related to the environment, forest, wildlife, coastal zone, and green cover during planning and execution of its projects.
  • Related Agreement Signed:
    • NTPC has signed a five-year agreement with Andhra Pradesh Forest Department for conservation of Olive Ridley Turtles in the coastline of Andhra Pradesh.

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

  • About:
    • It refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.
    • While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk.
  • Significance:
    • Biodiversity Hotspot: India is home to nearly 8% of global biodiversity on just 2.3% of global land area and contains sections of four of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots.
    • Staggering Economic Value: While the precise economic value of all ecosystem services provided by biodiversity may not be known, estimates suggest that India’s forests alone may yield services worth more than a trillion rupees per year.
      • Further, it can be imagined how much greater this value will be with grasslands, wetlands, freshwater, and marine can add.
    • Protection From Natural Disasters: The varied ecosystems across land, rivers, and oceans, feed our people, enhance public health security, and shield us from environmental disasters.
    • Spiritual Enrichment: Our biodiversity also serves as a perpetual source of spiritual enrichment, intimately linked to our physical and mental well-being.
  • Related Initiatives:

WHAT IS NTPC LIMITED?

  • NTPC is India’s largest power utility with an installed capacity of 68,961.68 MW plans to become a 130 GW company by 2032.
  • Established in 1975, NTPC aims to be the world’s largest and best power major.
  • NTPC has comprehensive Rehabilitation & Resettlement and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies well integrated with its core business of setting up power projects and generating electricity.
  • The company is committed to generating reliable power at competitive prices in a sustainable manner by optimising the use of multiple energy sources with innovative eco-friendly technologies thereby NTPC is contributing to the economic development of the nation and upliftment of the society.

Source:PIB

INDIA'S BIGGEST DRONE FESTIVALBHARAT DRONE MAHOTSAV 2022

GS Paper - 3 - Growth & Development - Inclusive Growth - GS Paper - 2 - Government Policies & Interventions

Bharat Drone Mahotsav 2022: Check out photos from India's biggest Drone  Festival | The Financial Express

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, India's biggest Drone Festival - Bharat Drone Mahotsav 2022 was inaugurated in New Delhi by the Prime Minister.

  • A virtual award of drone pilot certificates, panel discussions, product launches, display of a ‘Made in India’ Drone Taxi prototype, flying demonstrations, among others were the key events.

WHAT ARE DRONES?

  • Drone is a layman terminology for Unmanned Aircraft (UA).
  • Originally developed for the military and aerospace industries, drones have found their way into the mainstream because of the enhanced levels of safety and efficiency they bring.
  • A drone’s autonomy level can range from remotely piloted (a human controls its movements) to advanced autonomy, which means that it relies on a system of sensors and LIDAR detectors to calculate its movement.

WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS OF DRONE TECHNOLOGY?

  • Agriculture: In the agriculture sector, micronutrients can be spread with the help of drones.
    • It can also be used for performing surveys for identifying the challenges faced by the farmers.
  • Defence: Drone system can be used as a symmetric weapon against terrorist attacks.
    • Drones can be integrated into the national airspace system.
    • Deployment of drones for combat, communication in remote areas, counter-drone solutions can be done.
  • Healthcare Delivery Purposes: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) devised Drone-Based Vaccine Delivery Model, i-droneTelangana and North-east states have been approved to use this drone technology for delivering vaccines in remote areas.
  • Monitoring: The drone technology in the SVAMITVA scheme launched by the Government of India, within less than a year, has helped about half a million village residents to get their property cards by mapping out the densely-populated areas.
    • Drones can be used for real-time surveillance of assets and transmission lines, theft prevention, visual inspection/maintenance, construction planning and management, etc
    • They can be used for anti-poaching actions, monitoring of forests and wildlife, pollution assessment, and evidence gathering.
  • Law Enforcement: Drones are also significant for the law enforcement agencies, the fire and emergency services wherever human intervention is not safe and the healthcare services.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DRONE MAHOTSAV?

  • Promotion of drone technology is another medium of advancing our commitment to good governance and ease of living.
  • We have got a smart tool in the form of drones that is going to be part and parcel of common people’s lives.
  • As drone technology has its application in diverse areas such as defence, disaster management, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, film and entertainment, there is a great possibility of a major revolution creating immense opportunities for employment.
  • Villages are witnessing the arrival of roads, electricity, optical fibre and digital technology. However, agriculture work is still being conducted in old ways, leading to hassles, low productivity and wastage.
    • Drone technology is going to play a major role in empowering farmers and modernize their lives.
  • Government is making efforts towards creating a strong drone manufacturing ecosystem in India through schemes like Production-Linked Incentive (PLI).

WHAT ARE THE DRONE RULES, 2021?

  • In 2021, the Ministry notified liberalized drone rules with the aim to encourage R&D and to make India a drone hub.
    • It abolished several permissions and approvals. The number of forms that need to be filled was reduced from 25 to five and the types of fee brought down from 72 to 4.
    • No permission is required for operating drones in green zones and no remote pilot license is necessary for non-commercial use of micro and nano drones.
    • Payloads up to 500kg have been allowed so the drones can be used as unmanned flying taxis.
    • Further, foreign ownership of companies operating drones has also been permitted.

WHAT IS THE PLI SCHEME FOR DRONES?

  • The government also approved a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Drones and their components with an allocation of Rs. 120 crore for three financial years.
  • The PLI Scheme for the drones and drone components industry addresses the strategic, tactical, and operational uses of this revolutionary technology.

WHAT IS THE DRONE SHAKTI SCHEME?

  • The Union Budget pushed for promotion of drones through startups and skilling at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
  • Startups will be promoted to facilitate ‘Drone Shakti’ through varied applications and for Drone-As-A-Service (DrAAS). Courses for skilling will also be started in selected ITIs across all States.
    • DrAAS allows enterprises to avail various services from drone companies, removing the need for them to invest in drone hardware or software, pilots, and training programmes.
    • Sectors where drones can be employed are endless. These include photography, agriculture, mining, telecom, insurance, telecom, oil & gas, construction, transport, disaster management, geo-spatial mapping, forest and wildlife, defence and law enforcement to name a few.
  • Drones will also be promoted for crop assessment, digitisation of land records, spraying of insecticides and nutrients (Kisan Drones).
  • The drone services industry is expected to grow to over Rs 30,000 crore in next three years and generate over five lakh jobs.

WAY FORWARD

  • A few months earlier, there were a lot of restrictions on drones. However, most of the restrictions have now been removed in a very short span of time.
  • Easy access to technology will help in furthering the vision of saturation and in ensuring last-mile delivery.
  • Government is trying to make technology available to the masses to impart new strength, speed and scale to the country.

 

Source:PIB

WEST NILE VIRUS (WNV)

GS Paper - 3 - GS Paper - 2 - Health

West Nile Virus: Symptoms, Facts, and Treatment [Summer Care]

WHY IN NEWS?

Recently, a 47-year-old man in Thrissur, Kerala died due to West Nile Virus (WNV). This has caused the Kerala health department to be on alert.

  • Malappuram’s 6-year-old boy also died of the same infection, earlier in 2019.
  • WNV was first reported in the state of Alappuzha in 2006. Later in 2011, it was also reported in Ernakulam, Kerala.

WHAT IS WNV?

  • About:
    • The West Nile Virus is a flavivirus related to the viruses that are also responsible for causing St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever.
    • It is a mosquito-borne, single-stranded RNA virus.
  • Global Prevalence:
    • Along all major bird migratory routes, WNV outbreak sites are found.
    • Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia are the regions where the virus is commonly found.
    • Usually, WNV infections peak during the period when mosquito vectors are most active and the ambient temperature is high enough for virus multiplication for most of the countries.
  • Prevalence in India:
    • In Mumbai in the year 1952, the antibodies against WNV were first detected in humans.
    • Since then, the virus activity has been reported in southern, central, and western India.
    • In Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, WNV was isolated from Culex vishnui mosquitoes.
    • In Maharashtra, it was isolated from Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes.
    • In Karnataka, it has been isolated from humans.
    • Further, WNV neutralizing antibodies were found to be present in human serum collected from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Assam.
    • In 1977, 1978 and 1981, serologically confirmed cases of WNV infections were reported in Vellore and Kolar districts, and in West Bengal in 2017.
    • During an acute encephalitis outbreak in Kerala, the complete genome sequence of WNV was isolated in 2013.
    • The association of WNV with eye infection in Tamil Nadu had been clearly established during an epidemic of mysterious fever in the first half of 2010.
  • Origin:
    • WNV was first isolated in a woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937.
    • It was identified in birds in the Nile delta region in 1953. Before 1997, WNV was not considered pathogenic for birds.
    • Human infections attributable to WNV have been reported in many countries for over 50 years.
  • Transmission Cycle:
    • Principal vector for transmission is the culex species of mosquitoes.
    • Birds act as the reservoir host of the virus.
    • Infected mosquitoes transmit WNV between and among humans and animals, including birds.
    • When a mosquito feeds on infected birds, they become infected.
    • The virus circulates in the blood of those infected mosquitoes for a few days, eventually getting into the mosquito’s salivary glands.
    • The virus may get injected into humans and animals during later blood meals (when mosquito bites). Therein, WNV can multiply and possibly cause illness.
    • WNV can also get transmitted from an infected mother to her child through blood transfusion or via exposure to the virus in laboratories.
    • No instance of transmission by contact with infected humans or animals has been reported.
    • It does not spread “through eating infected animals, including birds.
    • Generally, the incubation period for WNV disease is 2-6 days. However, this may range from 2-14 days, and can also be several weeks in people whose immunity is compromised.
    • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no human-to-human transmission of WNV through casual contact has been reported till date.
  • Symptoms:
    • In 80% of the infected people, the disease is asymptomatic.
    • In the rest of the 20% cases, West Nile fever or severe WNV is observed with symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, rash, and swollen glands.
    • Severe infection may even cause neurological diseases like West Nile encephalitis or meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis or acute flaccid paralysis.
    • Also, there are reports of WNV-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome and radiculopathy.
    • Around 1 in 150 individuals with WNS is likely to develop a more severe form of disease.
    • It may take several weeks or months to recover from severe illness.
    • Nervous system damage can last forever.
    • In persons with co-morbidities and immuno-compromised persons (such as transplant patients), the disease may turn out to be fatal.
  • Measures of Prevention:
    • The establishment of an active animal health surveillance system to detect new cases in birds and horses should be essentially established.
    • As WNV outbreaks in animals precede human cases, it is necessary to provide early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities.
    • The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) has suggested that 28-day blood donor deferral or nucleic acid testing of prospective donors who have visited or lived in an affected area should be implemented by the European Union (EU).
    • Besides, testing for WNV infection must be done for the donors of organs, tissues and cells, who are living in or returning from an affected area.
  • Treatment:
    • As of now, no treatment/vaccine for WNV is available.
    • Only supportive treatments can be provided to neuroinvasive WNV patients.

Source:IE

KUNO PALPUR

GS Paper - 3 - Conservation

India finalises deals for cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia | Latest  News India - Hindustan Times

WHY IN NEWS?

India will be soon releasing cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia into the wild at Kuno Palpur in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.

  • It will initiate India’s ambitious plan of transcontinental relocation of cheetahs.
  • The country’s last spotted cheetah died in Chhattisgarh in 1947 and it was declared extinct in the country in 1952.
  • The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) some years back prepared a cheetah reintroduction project.

WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS RELATED TO CHEETAHS?

  • About:
    • The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, with ancestors that can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.
    • The cheetah is also the world’s fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.
  • African Cheetah: 
    • Scientific Name: Acinonyx Jubatus
    • Characteristics: They have slightly brownish and golden skin which is thicker than the Asiatic Cheetahs.
      • They have much more prominent spots and lines on their face as compared to their Asian cousins.
    • Distribution: Found all over the African continent in thousands of numbers.
    • Protection:
      • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
      • CITES: Appendix 1.
      • WPA: Schedule-2.
  • Asiatic Cheetah: 
    • Scientific NameAcinonyx Jubatus Venaticus
    • Characteristic: Slightly smaller than the African Cheetahs.
      • They have pale yellowish fawn coloured skin with more fur under their body, specifically on the belly.Inserting image...
    • Distribution: Found only in Iran with less than 100 individuals left.
    • Protection:
      • IUCN Red List: critically endangered.
      • CITES: Appendix 1.
      • WPA: Schedule-2.

WHAT ARE THE THREATS?

  • Human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat and loss of prey, and illegal trafficking.
  • Deforestation and agriculture eventually led to less forest land and Cheetah habitat.
  • The advent of climate change and growing human populations have only made these problems worse.

WHAT ARE THE INDIAN CONSERVATION EFFORTS?

  • The Wildlife Institute of India had prepared a Rs 260-crore cheetah Re-introduction project seven years ago.
  • This could be the world’s first inter-continental cheetah translocation project.
  • The Ministry of Environment had in the 19th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) released an “Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India”.
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to bring 50 African Cheetah from Namibia within the next 5 years.

WHAT ARE THE KEY POINTS OF KUNO NATIONAL PARK?

  • Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh is one the most unique destinations for all wildlife lovers and enthusiasts.
  • It has a healthy population of chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara and cattle.
  • Currently, the leopard and striped hyena are the only larger carnivores within the National Park, with the lone tiger having returned to Ranthambore earlier this year.

Source:IE

WORLD MILK DAY 

GS Paper - 3 - Economics of Animal-Rearing - Food Processing

World Milk Day 2022 | Date 1st June, History, Importance, How We Celebrate  15th Milk Day - A Plus Topper

WHY IN NEWS?

June 1 is observed as World Milk Day every year.

WHAT ARE THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS?

  • About
    • World Milk Day is a day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001 to recognize the importance of milk as a global food.
    • The day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector.
  • Theme:
    • This year’s theme will highlight the work already being done to accelerate climate action and help reduce the dairy sector’s impact on the planet.
    • Using the World Milk Day platform, awareness of the messaging and action will be raised towards Dairy Net Zero.
  • Features:
    • It is encouraged to talk about the important contributions of the dairy sector to:
      • Good food, health and nutrition
      • Farmers caring responsible for their communities, the land and their animals
      • Sustainability practices in the dairy sector
      • How dairy contributes to economic development and livelihood
  • Indian Dairy Sector: 
    • India is the world's largest milk producer, with 22% of global production, followed by the United States of America, China, Pakistan and Brazil.
    • Milk production in the country has grown at a compound annual growth rate of about 6.2% to reach 209.96 mn tonnes in 2020-21 from 146.31 mn tonnes in 2014
    • The top 5 milk-producing states are: Uttar Pradesh (14.9%), Rajasthan (14.6%), Madhya Pradesh (8.6%), Gujarat (7.6%) and Andhra Pradesh (7.0%).

WHAT ARE THE INITIATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA RELATED TO DAIRY SECTOR?

  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission: This mission is launched to improve productivity and enhance milk production through genetic upgradation of bovine population and development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
  • Gopal Ratna Award 2021: Gopal Ratna Award is given to encourage all individual farmers, artificial insemination technicians and Dairy cooperative societies working in this sector.
  • Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme: Under this programme, Artificial Insemination services delivered free of cost at farmers’ doorstep.
  • e-GOPALA app: A comprehensive breed improvement marketplace and information portal for direct use of farmers in the form of the e-GOPALA app (Generation of Wealth through Productive Livestock)
  • National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): “National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)” is launched across the country since 2014 with an objective of strengthening of infrastructure for Production of quality milk, Procurement, Processing and Marketing of Milk & Milk Products through State Implementing Agency (SIA) i.e State Cooperative Dairy Federation.
  • Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme: DIDF Scheme was launched in 2017 to modernize the milk processing & chilling plants including value addition.
  • Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer organizations engaged in dairy activities” (SDC&FPO):
    • Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has introduced a new component “interest subvention on Working capital loans for Dairy sector” as one of the components under its scheme SDC&FPO.
    • Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Animal Husbandry & Dairying Farmers: Through Kisan Credit Cards, farmers are enabled to gain access to institutional credit at concessional interest rate for working capital expenditure.

Source:IE