9-March-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

LINKING OF AADHAAR WITH VOTER CARDS: WHY EC WANTS MORE ELECTORAL REFORMS?

TOPIC: (GS3) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently proposed amendments to The Representation of the People Act, 1950, and voter enrollment forms, aiming to eliminate the requirement for voters to provide reasons for not seeding their Aadhaar number with their voter ID.

However, the Union Law Ministry’s reported rejection of this proposal has ignited a debate surrounding the mandatory linkage of Aadhaar with voter IDs, raising pertinent questions about privacy rights and electoral transparency.

Background: Attempted Aadhaar-Voter ID Linkage:

• In February 2015, the ECI announced plans to link Aadhaar with the electoral roll database to curb bogus or duplicate entries.
• However, a Supreme Court ruling in August 2015 limited Aadhaar usage to government schemes, halting this initiative.

Subsequent Legal and Regulatory Developments:

• After the Supreme Court upheld Aadhaar’s constitutionality in 2018, the ECI revived its proposal for Aadhaar-voter ID linkage, advocating for amendments to election laws.
• The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021, allowed voluntary Aadhaar linkage with voter IDs, with the ECI reintroducing Aadhaar collection through Form 6B.

Recent Petition and ECI’s Proposal:

• A petition filed in the Supreme Court sought amendments to election laws to provide an option for individuals unwilling to link their Aadhaar with voter IDs.
• Concerns arose regarding coercion due to the limited options provided in Form 6B.
• The ECI proposed amendments to remove the need for a “sufficient cause” for not providing Aadhaar and to revise registration forms accordingly.

ECI’s Proposal and Government’s Response:

• The ECI’s proposal aimed to replace existing options with a single line stating “Aadhaar Number (Optional).”
• However, the government declined the proposed amendment, suggesting that clarifications from the ECI would address concerns over Aadhaar linkage.

Conclusion:

The discourse surrounding Aadhaar linkage with voter IDs highlights the delicate balance between privacy rights and electoral integrity.

While the ECI’s proposal sought to accommodate individual preferences and mitigate coercive practices, the government’s stance emphasizes the need for clarity and alternative mechanisms to verify voter identity without compromising privacy.

QUEST TO DECLARE ANTHROPOCENE AN EPOCH DESCENDS INTO EPIC ROW

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY – SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

The proposal to designate the Anthropocene as a new geological epoch has stirred controversy among scientists, highlighting debates over defining geological time periods.

Understanding Earth’s Timeline: Geologic Time Scale (GTS):

• Geoscientists use the GTS to measure Earth’s age, dividing it into aeons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages.
• Each interval is marked by significant events shaping the planet’s conditions.

The Proposed Anthropocene Epoch:

• Proposed in 2000, the Anthropocene signifies a new geological epoch characterized by significant human impact on Earth.
• The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) proposed a starting point between 1950 and 1954 due to post-World War II human activity.

Rejection of the Proposal:

• The Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) voted against declaring the Anthropocene epoch.
• The rejection was based on the proposal’s failure to meet epoch-defining standards.

Arguments Against the Anthropocene:

• Critics oppose defining a human-dominated era millennia after significant human impacts began.
• They argue that tying the Anthropocene’s start to recent events risks overlooking deeper historical human transformations.

Continued Debate and Future Perspectives:

• Despite the rejection, evidence of human impact on the planet persists.
• Some suggest viewing the Anthropocene as an ‘event’ rather than a distinct epoch, allowing for flexibility in recognizing human influence.

MEGHALAYA’S BYRNIHAT INDIA’S MOST POLLUTED CITY IN 2023: REPORT

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: NDTV

Byrnihat, Meghalaya, emerged as India’s most polluted city in February, highlighting the alarming levels of PM2.5 and underscoring deteriorating air quality in northeastern urban centers.

Pollution Data:

• Monthly average PM2.5 concentration in Byrnihat was 183 µg/m3, surpassing Bihar’s Araria, the second-most polluted city, by around 60 µg/m3.
• Other northeastern cities like Nalbari, Agartala, Guwahati, and Nagaon featured among the 30 most polluted cities in India.

Air Quality Monitoring in the Northeast:

• Six out of 11 cities with monitoring stations in the northeast exceeded the prescribed daily National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
• Sivasagar, Silchar, Aizawl, and Imphal were the cleanest northeastern cities, with concentrations below the NAAQS.

Implications and Urgent Need:

• The data underscore the urgent need for enhanced air quality monitoring in the northeast due to rising pollution from unregulated industrial activities and insufficient pollution control measures.

Reasons for Air Pollution in India:

• Vehicle Emissions: Growing vehicle numbers, especially older models, release pollutants like NOx and PM2.5.
• Industrial Activity: Industries, especially coal-fired power plants, contribute to sulfur oxides and particulate matter.
• Crop Burning: Stubble burning by farmers releases large amounts of smoke and ash.
• Construction Dust: Uncontrolled dust from construction sites adds to particulate matter.
• Waste Burning: Open burning of municipal and agricultural waste releases harmful toxins.

Way Forward:

• Stricter Emission Norms: Implement and enforce stricter emission standards for vehicles and industries.
• Public Transport Boost: Promote public transport and electric vehicles to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
• Sustainable Farming Practices: Encourage farmers to adopt stubble mulching or composting to avoid burning.
• Dust Control Measures: Implement effective dust control measures at construction sites.
• Waste Management: Promote waste segregation, composting, and recycling to reduce open burning.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Expand air quality monitoring networks, providing real-time data for public awareness.

ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS IN PALESTINIAN AREAS AMOUNT TO ‘WAR CRIME’: UN HUMAN RIGHTS

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS – SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

The UN human rights office declares expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a war crime, jeopardizing the prospect of a viable Palestinian state.

Key Points from the Report:

• The report, covering Nov 2022 to Oct 2023, highlights a record advancement of 24,300 housing units in West Bank settlements.
• It emphasizes the escalation of settler violence and new settlement constructions, posing a significant threat to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Legal Perspective:

• The UN human rights chief affirms that settlement creation and expansion violate international law, constituting a war crime.

International Consensus and Criticism:

• The international community considers these settlements illegal, with recent plans for 3,500 new settler homes drawing widespread criticism.

Israeli Response:

• There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva regarding the UN’s declaration.

WHO WARNS OF GROWING RESISTANCE TO GSK’S HIV DRUG

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

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights a rising resistance to the antiretroviral drug Dolutegravir (DTG) among HIV patients in a recent report.

About Dolutegravir (DTG):

• DTG is an antiviral drug used in combination with other medications to treat HIV infection, the virus causing AIDS.
• Belonging to the class of HIV integrase inhibitors, DTG reduces HIV levels in the blood and boosts immune cell count to combat infections.

Effectiveness and WHO Recommendations:

• Since 2018, WHO has recommended DTG as the preferred first- and second-line HIV treatment for all population groups.
• It is known for being more effective, easier to administer, and causing fewer side effects compared to other drugs in use.

Common Side Effects and Serious Concerns:

• Common side effects include headache, tiredness, and sleep problems.
• Serious side effects encompass severe skin rashes, allergic reactions, liver problems, and potential drug interactions.

Understanding HIV/AIDS:

• AIDS is a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• HIV weakens the immune system, making individuals susceptible to infections and diseases, potentially leading to AIDS if untreated.

Transmission and Treatment:

• HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, infected blood exposure, and sharing needles during drug use.
• While there is no cure for HIV, proper medical care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can control the virus, allowing individuals to lead long, healthy lives and safeguard their partners.

SEA DEFENDERS-2024

TOPIC: (GS3) SECURITY – SOURCE: PIB

The United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) Bertholf ship has arrived in Port Blair, preparing for the ‘Sea Defenders-2024’ joint exercise.

Sea Defenders-2024 Joint Exercise:

• A collaborative effort between the Indian Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard.
• Location: Off the coast of Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Focus and Activities in the Exercise:

• The two-day exercise concentrates on maritime piracy and asymmetric threats.
• Activities include simulated drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic, joint maritime search and rescue operations, firefighting, marine pollution response, and counter-drug interdiction exercises.
• A simulated medical evacuation will enhance preparedness for emergency situations.

Importance and Cooperation:

• Emphasizes international cooperation in addressing maritime challenges.
• Highlights the partnership between the Indian and US Coast Guards.

Key Facts about Indian Coast Guard (ICG):

• Established in 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, operating as an independent Armed force.
• Ensures maritime security, assists distressed vessels and fishermen, and protects the maritime environment.
• Functions under the Ministry of Defence, headed by the Director General Indian Coast Guard (DGICG), with headquarters in New Delhi.

ORANS (SACRED GROVES)

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

Communities in western Rajasthan express apprehension over the state’s proposal to categorize orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests.

About Orans:

• Orans are sacred groves in Rajasthan, serving as community-managed forests with deep cultural significance.
• Preserved and maintained by rural communities, they often have associated local deities.
• Rich in biodiversity, these groves typically include water bodies and are integral to community life.

Cultural and Environmental Importance:

• Communities in Rajasthan have conserved these groves for centuries, forming essential parts of their lives.
• Orans are communal spaces for grazing livestock, hosting social events, festivals, and gatherings linked to agrarian cycles.
• They serve as a natural habitat for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Sacred Groves Across India:

• Sacred groves are relic forest patches protected by communities as a mark of reverence to deities.
• These groves are vital repositories of biodiversity, offering refuge to numerous plant and animal species.
• India boasts over 13,000 documented sacred groves, found prominently in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, known by different names like Kavu/Sarpa Kavu, Devarakadu/Devkad, and Jahera/Thakuramma in various regions.

TAENIOGONALOS DEEPAKI

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT – SOURCE: THE HINDU

Entomologists from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment identified a new species of wasp in the Western Ghat region of Karnataka, named Taeniogonalos deepaki.

Key Details about Taeniogonalos deepaki:

• Location: Discovered in the Belgaum region of Karnataka.
• Name Origin: Named after Dr. Deepak Deshpande, a medical doctor and nature enthusiast who collected the specimen.
• Taxonomic Classification: Belongs to the genus Taeniogonalos within the family Trigonalyidae of the order Hymenoptera.
• Distribution: The genus is found in various regions globally, including Afrotropical, oriental, eastern palaearctic, nearctic, Australian, and neotropical areas.

Additional Findings:

• Scientists also provided the first male description of another species, Taeniogonalos eurysoma.
• Most Taeniogonalos species have been reported from southern India.

Understanding Parasitoids:

• Parasitoids are organisms who’s young develop on or within another organism (host), ultimately leading to the host’s death.
• They exhibit characteristics of both predators and parasites, with their larvae developing on or within other insects, known as hyperparasitoids in the case of the Trigonalyidae family.