25-April-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

REALITY OF SWACHH BHARAT MISSION

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a flagship initiative of the Indian government aimed at improving sanitation and waste management across the country.

EPI and Link to SBM:

• The Environment Performance Index (EPI) ranks countries based on their environmental performance, including aspects like air quality and sanitation.
• The SBM is expected to contribute to better living standards and environmental health, as it addresses issues like Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH).

India’s performance in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for 2022 was the lowest in the world. Here’s a breakdown:

• Rank: 180th out of 180 countries
• Score: 18.9 (on a scale of 0 to 100)

Key Areas of Weakness: Air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, habitat protection

Challenges with SBM Implementation:

• Historical association of sanitation with caste, leading to continued caste-based practices in waste management.
• Poor quality of toilet construction and lack of waste treatment, despite government claims of success in open defecation elimination.
• Faecal sludge disposal issues in peri-urban areas, contributing to environmental pollution.
• Dependence on large capital-intensive technologies in waste management, which have failed to deliver promised results.

Outsourcing and Privatization:

• Outsourcing of waste management to private contractors, often leading to exploitation of marginalized communities, particularly Dalits.
• Insufficient manpower and resources allocated to municipal bodies for sanitation inspection and management.

Impact on EPI Performance:

Failures in programs like SBM contribute to India’s poor performance in the EPI, highlighting the need for sustainable development models.

SWACHH BHARAT MISSION URBAN 2.0:

Vision: Garbage Free cities across India

Focus Areas:

• Sustainable Solid Waste Management:
• Processing and disposal of waste
• Waste reduction and resource recovery
• Sustainable Sanitation and used water treatment
• Implementation Timeline: October 1st, 2021 to October 1st, 2026

Key Initiatives:

• Revised Swachh Certification Protocols for ODF sustainability
• Encouraging women-led waste management businesses
• Swachhata Startup Challenge to promote innovation in the waste sector

Funding for used water management in smaller towns

Conclusion:

Addressing the challenges faced by initiatives like SBM is crucial for improving India’s environmental performance and ensuring sustainable development.

TENSIONS GROW IN WEST ASIA, A HEAVILY MILITARISED REGION

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY – SOURCE: THE HINDU

West Asia is a major supplier of extractive resources for global energy consumption, making peace essential in the region.

However, escalating tensions threaten stability, fueled by conflicts like the Israel-Gaza conflict and hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Militarization and Arms Imports:

• West Asia is one of the most heavily militarized regions globally, with significant arms imports.
• Four of the top 10 arms importers in 2023 were from West Asia, with the U.S. being the main supplier.
• High military spending, with countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar consistently allocating over 5% of GDP to defense.

Regional Crises and Military Expenditure:

• Ongoing conflicts, including the Yemeni civil war and Syrian civil war, contribute to regional instability.
• West Asia spends the most on the military among all regions, with 4.6% of GDP allocated in 2020.
• The region also has the highest share of the labor force employed in the armed forces, indicating significant militarization.

Factors Driving Arms Demand:

• Instability fueled by domestic insurgencies, terrorist attacks, and foreign policies drives demand for arms.
• The aftermath of the Arab Spring has further contributed to increased militarization in the region.

NO FORESTS OR ANIMALS WILL BE LEFT IF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTS CONTINUE: SC

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Supreme Court emphasized the critical need to address human-wildlife conflicts to safeguard the existence of forests and wildlife and halted assam government’s decision to denotify the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary.

Court’s Observations:

• Human-wildlife conflict threatens the existence of forests and wildlife.
• A balance needs to be found between protecting wildlife and the rights of local communities.
• Court grapples with balancing wildlife protection in Assam’s Pobitora sanctuary with land rights of disadvantaged communities residing there.

In India, the authority to change Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) borders involves a two-step process:
State Government Recommendation: The state government where the WLS is located initiates the process by proposing changes to the boundaries.
Central Government Approval:  The final decision rests with the central government’s National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). They review the state’s proposal and hold the authority to approve or reject the border changes.

Assam Government’s Action:

• Formed a committee to assess and potentially change the sanctuary boundaries.
• Aims to consider both wildlife needs and space for villagers.

Court’s Order:

• Committee to include wildlife experts (Chief Wildlife Warden and Field Director) to represent wildlife concerns.
• Court approval required for final decisions on boundary changes.

Why Man-Animal Conflict Occurs

• Habitat Loss: As human populations grow, they expand into animal habitats. This disrupts animals’ natural food sources and living spaces, forcing them closer to human settlements.
• Competition for Resources: Both humans and animals need resources like water and food. When these become scarce, animals may venture into human areas to find what they need, leading to conflict.
• Provocation: Sometimes, human activities like loud noises or approaching too closely can frighten or anger animals, causing them to attack.

ON THE NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAMME

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India aims to reduce air pollution by allocating funds to cities for Clean Air Action Plans (CAAPs). However, implementation of these plans has been inconsistent.

Inconsistent Implementation:

• Despite cities submitting their CAAPs, their execution has been irregular, with only 60% of allocated funds utilized on average.
• Delays in Approvals: Implementation delays are caused by bureaucratic hurdles like approval delays from competent authorities for technical specifications and procurement processes.
• Lack of Standard Operating Procedures: Absence of clear guidelines and defined timelines further hinder the implementation process.
• Doubts on Effectiveness: Some decision-makers hesitate due to doubts about the effectiveness of proposed measures, especially after recent findings questioning the efficacy of outdoor smog towers.

Limited Understanding of Pollution Sources:

• Only 37% of cities completed studies to identify main polluters.
• This hinders the effectiveness of planned pollution control measures.

Data and Tools Needed for Improvement:

• Emission Inventories (EI) and Source Apportionment (SA) studies pinpoint pollution sources.
• Air Quality (AQ) modelling helps understand how pollution spreads.
• Cities need these tools to create targeted solutions.

way forward

• Faster approvals and clear guidelines for implementing CAAPs.
• More cities to use allocated funds effectively.
• Increased use of EI, SA, and AQ modelling for better planning.

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS):

Function: They are advanced air quality monitoring stations that provide real-time data on various pollutants.

Monitored Pollutants:

• Particulate Matter (PM): PM2.5 (fine particles), PM10 (coarse particles)
• Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
• Ozone (O3)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Benefits:

• Real-time data allows authorities to track pollution levels and take quick action if needed.
  Provides detailed information on various pollutants, helping identify their sources.

PINK HYDROGEN

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Nuclear energy has the potential to drive the production of “pink” hydrogen in India through appropriate amendments to existing legislation.

What is Pink Hydrogen?

• Pink hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using nuclear energy.
• It is also known as purple hydrogen or red hydrogen.

Advantages of Nuclear Energy for Pink Hydrogen Production:

• Nuclear reactors can provide the high temperatures needed for efficient electrolysis.
• They can also generate steam for more efficient electrolysis or fossil gas-based steam methane reforming.
• Nuclear power reduces production costs and emissions, making pink hydrogen a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.

Applications of Pink Hydrogen:

• Pink hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in various industries such as cement, steel, aviation, and heavy transportation.
• It serves as both a feedstock and energy source without emitting greenhouse gases.
• Its versatility makes it promising for reducing emissions in industries with high energy demand.

VOYAGER 1

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

Recently, NASA announced that its Voyager 1 probe is once again transmitting meaningful data to ground control after a period of transmitting unintelligible information.

• Launched by NASA on September 5, 1977, shortly after its twin Voyager 2.
• Objective: To explore the outer Solar System and beyond.

Achievements:

• Conducted flybys of Jupiter and Saturn, studying their moons, rings, and magnetic fields.
• Currently the most distant human-made object from Earth.
• First spacecraft to cross the heliosphere, entering interstellar space in August 2012.
• Discovered a thin ring around Jupiter, as well as two new moons: Thebe and Metis.
• Found five new moons and a new ring at Saturn, called the G-ring.
• Carries a golden record with sounds and images representing Earth’s diversity, intended for potential encounters with extraterrestrial life.
• Expected to continue transmitting data until at least 2025, when it will be approximately 13.8 billion miles away from the Sun.

Voyager 2 Spacecraft:

• Launched by NASA on August 20, 1977, as part of the Voyager program along with Voyager 1.
• Mission: To study the outer planets of the solar system and continue on an interstellar mission.

Achievements:

• Explored all four giant planets of the solar system up close.
• Discovered a 14th moon at Jupiter and 10 new moons plus two rings at Uranus.
• First spacecraft to fly by Uranus and Neptune.
• Found five moons, four rings, and a “Great Dark Spot” at Neptune.
• Carries a golden record similar to Voyager 1.
• Contributed significantly to our understanding of the outer planets and their moons, as well as the interstellar space beyond.

TINA FACTOR

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

The recent increase in gold prices can be attributed to the TINA (There Is No Alternative) phenomenon in China, where retail shoppers, investors, futures traders, and central banks are all seeking refuge in bullion during periods of uncertainty.

Understanding the TINA Factor:

• TINA stands for “There Is No Alternative.”
• It reflects investors’ perception of a particular asset class as the best option available in current market conditions.
• This perception arises when other investment options are considered unattractive due to factors like low returns or economic uncertainty.

Implications of the TINA Effect:

• Investors flock to the perceived safest investment instrument when fearful of future uncertainties.
• TINA can contribute to price bubbles as prices rise excessively due to the lack of viable alternatives.
• Historically, TINA arises in response to economic conditions where traditionally safe investments offer less favorable returns.
• Assets such as bonds or real estate may become less attractive due to low interest rates or an inflated market, leading to the dominance of TINA.

         Examples of TINA in Action:

• During periods of soaring stock prices and sluggish bond returns, investors turn to alternative assets like gold, cryptocurrencies, or NFTs.
• TINA drives investors to seek out unconventional investment opportunities perceived as offering better returns or stability than traditional options.

CRYSTAL MAZE 2 MISSILE

TOPIC: (GS3) SECURITY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has accomplished a successful test firing of the Crystal Maze 2 missile.

Crystal Maze 2 Missile:

• Crystal Maze 2, also known as ROCKS, is an air-launched medium-range ballistic missile used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Origin:
• Purpose: It is designed to target high-value stationary and relocatable assets, including long-range radars and air defense systems, of potential adversaries.

Features of Crystal Maze 2:

• Enhanced Range: Crystal Maze 2 surpasses its predecessor, Crystal Maze 1, with extended stand-off range capabilities as an air-to-surface missile.
• Range: Capable of hitting targets over 250 kilometers away.
• Warhead Options: The missile offers options for either a penetration or blast fragmentation warhead, enabling it to destroy above-ground or well-protected underground targets.
• GPS-denied Effectiveness: Particularly effective in GPS-denied environments.
• Deployment Strategy: ROCKS are deployed by releasing the missile well outside the surface-to-air-defended area, followed by a high-velocity trajectory to minimize risks to aircraft and missiles.