1-March-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

13,874 LEOPARDS IN INDIA, MADHYA PRADESH LEADS THE PACK

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

India’s leopard population has increased by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022, as per the Environment Ministry report.

• State-wise Numbers: Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of leopards (3,907), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

Regional Variations and Decline:

• Uttarakhand Decline: Uttarakhand witnessed a 22% decline in leopard numbers, attributed to poaching and man-animal conflict.
• Northeast Rise: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal collectively saw a 150% rise in leopard numbers to 349 animals.

Survey Details:

• Coverage: The survey covered 20 states, focusing on about 70% of the leopard’s expected habitat in tiger reserves and protected forest areas.
• Human-Leopard Conflict: Leopards, being adaptable, are found not only in forest reserves but also in villages and sometimes cities, contributing to human-wildlife conflict.

Conservation Insights:

• Protected Areas: Approximately one-third of leopards inhabit protected areas, emphasizing the conservation link between tiger reserves and leopard habitat.
• Human Impact: The report highlights the impact of human activities in multiple-use areas on leopard populations, distinguishing them from relatively stable tiger populations.

Survey Methodology:

• Extensive Travel: The survey involved extensive travel (6,41,449 km) by forest surveyors to track carnivore signs and estimate prey abundance.
• Camera Traps: Camera traps were utilized at 32,803 locations, capturing 4,70,81,881 photographs.

Leopard Overview:

• Distribution: Leopards are found across diverse habitats in India, including forests, mountains, grasslands, and scrublands, with the highest concentration in Central India and Eastern Ghats.
• Conservation Status: They are classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, facing threats like habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.

Significance:

• Biodiversity: Leopards are a key apex predator, maintaining ecological balance by controlling prey populations.
• Economic Importance: Tourism revenue is generated by protected areas with leopard populations.

Challenges:

• Balancing Act: The conservation of leopards requires a delicate balance with human development and addressing human-wildlife conflict.

FIRST TECHNICAL TEAM FROM INDIA ARRIVES IN MALDIVES

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SOURCE: THE HINDU

India’s recent dispatch of technical personnel to the Maldives and the joint inauguration of infrastructure in Mauritius highlight India’s strategic efforts in the Indian Ocean region. These developments underscore India’s focus on maritime security and strategic partnerships amid growing regional challenges.

Strategic Significance:

• Mauritius and Maldives Importance: Both Mauritius and the Maldives hold strategic importance for India due to their location in the Indian Ocean, which is vital for maritime security and strategic interests.
• China’s Presence: The increasing presence of China in the region has heightened India’s concerns, necessitating proactive engagement with island nations to safeguard its interests.

Developments in the Maldives:

• Personnel Replacement: Indian technical personnel are replacing military forces in the Maldives following a request from President Mohamed Muizzu, perceived as pro-China.
• Operational Agreement: The arrival of Indian civilians to operate a helicopter in Addu reflects India’s commitment to honoring agreements and maintaining strategic presence.

Joint Inauguration in Mauritius:

• Collaborative Effort: Prime Ministers Modi and Jugnauth jointly inaugurated an airstrip and jetty on Agaléga, showcasing India’s support for Mauritius in enhancing its defense capabilities.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): A 2015 MoU aimed at improving transportation facilities in Agaléga signifies India’s long-term commitment to Mauritius’ development goals.

China’s Presence in the Indian Ocean:

• Strategic Challenges: China’s increasing diplomatic, trade, and military engagements in the Indian Ocean pose challenges for India’s strategic interests and regional stability.
• India’s Response: India acknowledges the importance of engaging with island nations to counterbalance China’s influence and maintain its strategic presence in the region.

View from New Delhi:

• Diplomatic Engagement: India emphasizes the importance of managing diplomatic relationships with island nations while pursuing strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.
• Domestic Concerns: While India’s presence in Mauritius has been well-received domestically, concerns persist in the Maldives regarding President Muizzu’s stance on Indian military personnel.

HUMPBACK WHALES OBSERVED MATING FOR THE FIRST TIME. BOTH WERE MALES

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Researchers have made a groundbreaking observation of humpback whales engaging in same-sex mating, a phenomenon previously undocumented in these majestic creatures. This discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of same-sex sexual behavior (SSB) in the animal kingdom.

Darwinian Paradox: Contradictions in Evolutionary Theory:

• Prevalence of Homosexuality: Over 1500 instances of SSB have been reported in various animal species, challenging Charles Darwin’s theory that emphasizes reproduction as the primary goal of evolution.
• Resource Diversion: SSB appears counterproductive to evolutionary success as it diverts resources and time away from reproduction.

‘Indiscriminate Mating’ Hypothesis: Explaining Same-Sex Behavior:

• Theory Overview: The “indiscriminate mating” hypothesis suggests that ancestral species mated without sex-specific preferences to avoid missing reproductive opportunities.
• Adaptive Behavior: SSB persists as an adaptive behavior, ensuring reproductive success without being overly selective in mate choice.

Social Bonds and Evolution: Insights from Recent Studies:

• Bailey and Zuk’s Proposition: Evolutionary biologists propose that SSB contributes to positive social relationships, particularly in social species.
• Correlation with Sociality: Recent studies indicate a correlation between SSB and sociality, fostering bonds and alliances within groups and reducing intrasexual conflicts.

Survival Benefits of Same-Sex Behavior: Adaptive Evolution:

• Mitigation of Aggression: SSB in mammals, including humpback whales, is viewed as a convergent adaptation that mitigates intrasexual aggression.
• Dominance Hierarchies: Same-sex mating contributes to establishing dominance hierarchies, reducing conflicts within social groups and enhancing species survival.

Humpback Whales Overview:

 

Species and Characteristics: Humpback whales belong to the baleen whale family, known for their massive size, toothless mouths, and baleen plates.

Feeding Mechanism: They use baleen plates to filter prey from saltwater, showcasing their efficient feeding technique.

Size and Range: Humpbacks have sleek bodies, reaching lengths up to 33 meters and weighing over 30,000 kilograms. They are found in all major oceans worldwide, often exploring deep offshore waters and seamounts.

IUCN Status and Migration:

Conservation Status: Humpback whales are classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, indicating a relatively stable population.

Migration Patterns: Except for the Arabian Sea population, humpbacks embark on extensive migrations, covering up to 10,000 kilometers annually.

Reasons for Migration: Migration is driven by the distinct environments of feeding and breeding grounds, adapting to dissimilar conditions.

Feeding Habits and Winter Migration:

Diet: In the Southern Hemisphere, humpbacks feed on Antarctic krill, forming vast swarms of microscopic crustaceans during the summer.

Winter Movement: During winter, humpbacks migrate north to warmer subtropical waters for mating and nesting, showcasing their dynamic behavior.

Unique Arabian Sea Population:

Exceptional Behavior: The Arabian Sea humpback whales are unique, being the only stationary whales globally that both feed and breed in the same region.

Distinctive Traits: Their behavior sets them apart, highlighting the adaptability and diversity within the humpback whale population.

SECOND ADVANCE ESTIMATES OF NATIONAL INCOME, 2023-24

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY – SOURCE: PIB

The National Statistical Office (NSO) has revised India’s real GDP growth estimate for the current year to 7.6%, up from the earlier projection of 7.3%.

2022-23 Estimates: The GDP growth estimate for 2022-23 has been adjusted to 7% from the previous 7.2%, while the projection for 2021-22 has been raised to 9.7% from 9.1%.

Gross Value Added (GVA) and Concerns:

• Economic Sectors: GVA in the economy is anticipated to rise by 6.9% this year, with notable growth in key sectors like construction, manufacturing, and mining.
• Private Consumption Concerns: Concerns arise about private consumption, growing 3.5% in Q3, though an improvement from 2.4% in Q2.

Downgraded Full-Year Growth:

• Full-Year Projection: The full-year growth estimate has been downgraded to 3%, contrasting with the earlier projection of 4.4% in January.

Farm Sector Challenges and Expectations:

• Q3 Contraction: Farm sector GVA growth contracted by 0.8% in Q3, and the full-year expectation is a modest 0.7% rise compared to 4.7% in 2022-23.
• Recovery Anticipation: The Chief Economic Advisor expects a farm sector recovery in the next year, attributing this year’s growth upgrade to revised numbers from the previous year and strengthened investment and net exports.

Sectoral Growth Contributions:

• Accelerated Sectors: GVA growth in pivotal sectors like construction, manufacturing, and mining has accelerated, playing a significant role in the overall economic growth.
• Data Surprises: Surprises in the data include GVA growth remaining at 6.9% while GDP growth is revised upwards, indicating a robust average GDP growth of 8.2% for the first three quarters and implying a Q4 growth of 5.9%.

ZSI NAMES A NEWLY DISCOVERED HEAD-SHIELD SEA SLUG AFTER PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a new marine species of head-shield sea slug, Melanochlamys droupadi.

Characteristics and Habitat:

• Physical Traits: Melanochlamys droupadi has a small, brownish-black body and is hermaphroditic in nature.
• Habitat: The slug crawls on intertidal zones, leaving marks on sandy beaches, and was discovered in Digha (West Bengal) and Udaipur (Odisha).

Reproductive Cycle and Specimens:

• Reproduction: Reproduction occurs between November and January, and specimens were deposited in Marine Aquarium Regional Centre and Estuarine Biology and Regional Centre.

Genus and Habitat Insights:

• Melanochlamys Genus: Species in the Melanochlamys genus are typically found in temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific Oceanic realm.
• Tropical Species: Melanochlamys droupadi joins three truly tropical species, including Melanochlamys bengalensis from the West Bengal and Odisha coast.

Unique Characteristics:

• Protective Sheath: The slug secretes transparent mucus forming a protective sheath and is known for crawling beneath smooth sand.

Biodiversity Conservation Importance:

• Rich Marine Biodiversity: The discovery underscores the rich marine biodiversity along the Indian coasts, emphasizing the necessity for conservation efforts.

KULASEKARAPATTINAM: A SWEET SPOT FOR SMALL ROCKET LAUNCHES

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for new spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam in southern Tamil Nadu

Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport:

• Location: The spaceport is located in Kulasekarapattinam, near Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district, southern Tamil Nadu.
• Objective: It will focus on launching Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) on a commercial basis.
• Facilities: The spaceport will have 35 facilities, including a launch pad, rocket integration facilities, ground range, checkout facilities, and a mobile launch structure (MLS).

Launch Capacity and Location Advantage:

• Capacity: The spaceport is designed to launch 24 satellites per year using a mobile launch structure.
• Location Advantage: Spread over 2,350 acres, it enables fuel savings for small rocket launches by allowing rockets to be launched directly south over the Indian Ocean without crossing landmasses, unlike the existing site at Sriharikota.

Cost and Funding:

• Estimated Cost: The project is estimated to cost Rs. 986 crore.
• Funding: The foundation stone for the spaceport was laid by the Prime Minister.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs):

Configuration: SSLV is a 3-stage Launch Vehicle with three Solid Propulsion Stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.

Specifications: It is 2m in diameter, 34m in length, with a lift-off weight of 120 tonnes.

Capacity: SSLV can launch a 500kg satellite into a 500 km planar orbit.

Key Features of SSLVs:

Low Cost: SSLVs are designed for cost-effectiveness.

Quick Turn-around: They have low turn-around time, providing flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites.

Launch Flexibility: SSLVs offer launch-on-demand feasibility and require minimal launch infrastructure.

ROEN OLMI

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Two researchers in Goa have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles using a wild mushroom known as Roen Olmi.

About Roen Olmi:

• Termitomyces Species: Roen Olmi is a mushroom of the Termitomyces species that grows on termite hills.
• Local Name: Known as ‘roen olmi’ locally in Goa, it is appreciated for its taste and is considered a culinary delight.
• Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, it thrives in the thick forest cover and high humidity, primarily growing in association with termites.

Ecological Significance:

• Biodegrading Fungus: Roen Olmi, being a Termitomyces species, plays a crucial role as a biodegrading fungus in forest and grassland ecosystems.
• Soil Enrichment: It contributes to converting 50% of dead plant material on the ground into nutrient-rich soil.

Culinary and Medicinal Importance:

• Edible Nature: All Termitomyces species, including Roen Olmi, are edible and valued for their unique texture, flavor, and nutrient content.
• Ethno-medicinal Significance: Termitomyces species, including Roen Olmi, are recognized for their ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities in Asia and Africa.
• Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties: These mushrooms possess beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

RBI’S DRAFT GUIDELINES ON CLIMATE-RELATED FINANCIAL RISKS

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced draft guidelines on the Disclosure Framework for Climate-related Financial Risks in 2024.

• Purpose: The guidelines aim to ensure that Regulated Entities (REs) disclose information regarding their climate-related financial risks and opportunities. This disclosure is intended for users of financial statements.

Applicability:

• Scheduled Commercial Banks: The guidelines will apply to all Scheduled Commercial Banks, excluding Local Area Banks, Payments Banks, and Regional Rural Banks.
• Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs): All Tier-IV Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks are covered under the framework.
• Financial Institutions: The guidelines extend to All-India Financial Institutions, including EXIM Bank, NABARD, NaBFID, NHB, and SIDBI.

Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs): All Top and Upper Layer Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are  included in the applicability.