[Mission 2023] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 5 June 2023

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 3:

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Mapping

Syllabus: Infrastructure (Railways)

Source: TH

Context: The tragic Odisha train accident that resulted in the death of over 288 passengers has brought into sharp focus the safety mechanisms needed to prevent such tragedies.

Why do train accidents happen in India?

The Performance Audit on Derailment in Indian Railways – a CAG (2022) report ascertains whether measures to prevent derailments and collisions were clearly laid down and implemented.

Findings in the CAG audit report:

Some initiatives of the Indian govt. to prevent train accidents:

The KAVACH:

The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK):

Insta Links:

Growth in Indian railways

Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: TH

Context: Despite the importance of biodiversity that ultimately sustains all human endeavours, not enough has been done for caring and nurturing life on earth.

Biodiversity/Biological diversity:

Efforts to reverse Biodiversity loss:

Theme (2023): From agreement to action: Build back biodiversity

Way ahead:

Some best practices from India:

Conclusion: It is time to decentralise the management of biodiversity by bringing together multiple stakeholders, especially local communities, through gram sabhas and biodiversity management committees.

Insta Links:

Biodiversity

Mains Links:

How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC 2018)

Syllabus : Economy

Source: IE

Context: Government-owned engineering consultancy firm Engineers India (EIL) is studying the prospects and feasibility of developing salt cavern-based strategic oil reserves in Rajasthan.

The country's three existing strategic oil storage facilities — at Mangaluru and Padur in Karnataka, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh — are made up of excavated rock caverns.

About Strategic Oil Reserves:

Statistics about Oil Reserves In India:

Underground storage

It is, by far the most economical method of storing petroleum products because the underground facility rules out the requirement of large swathes of land, ensures less evaporation and, since the caverns are built much below the sea level, it is easy to discharge crude into them from ships.

Two types of underground reserves:

Insta Links:

Strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) programme

Syllabus: E-Waste

Source: BBC

Context: Solar panels, hailed as a crucial tool in reducing carbon emissions, face the challenge of disposal and replacement as they only last up to 25 years.

What is Solar E-Waste?

Solar e-waste refers to the electronic waste generated by discarded solar panels. As solar panels have a limited lifespan of 20-25 years, their disposal raises concerns about managing the electronic waste they create.

What does Solar Panel consist of?

A PV module is essentially made up of glass, metal, silicon and polymer fractions. Glass and aluminium, together constituting around 80% of total weight, are non-hazardous.

But a few other materials used including polymers, metals, metallic compounds and alloys are classified as potentially hazardous.

Status:

Issues with Solar E-Waste Management:

Various technologies available to extract valuable materials from solar e-waste include:

Recent Government Initiative:

Solar waste management by other countries

What India can do to promote solar waste management:

Insta Links

Mains Links

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is becoming major a domestic and global issue. Discuss the steps that must be taken to ensure the safe disposal of e-waste in the country. (15M)

Prelims Links

In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? ( UPSC 2019)

(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998(b) The Recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules, 1999(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

Ans: C

Source: PIB

The Indian Navy has taken several green initiatives to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

Usage: One or two examples can be used from this list to highlight the efforts taken by Armed forces towards reducing carbon emissions.

Source: PIB

Context: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Lavender Festival in Bhaderwah, Jammu, as part of the One Week One Lab Campaign organized by CSIR-IIIM.

About Lavender Revolution (also called Purple Revolution) and Aroma Mission:

Source: DTE

Context: The government-owned Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) decided to procure sal seeds (Shorea robusta) from nine Odisha districts.

The move, which comes after a gap of three years, intends to arrest the distress sale of the minor forest produce (MFP).

About Sal Trees:

Source: IE

Context: The Law Commission, in its recent report, stated that no changes in the law relating to adverse possession are required. However, two members dissented, arguing that the law promotes false claims and should be struck off.

About Adverse possession :

Source: ET

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released a draft of ‘Master Directions on Cyber Resilience and Digital Payment Security Controls for Payment System Operators.

What are Payment System Operators (PSOs)?

Payment System Operators (PSOs) are entities that facilitate the movement of funds between payers and payees in electronic payment systems. They provide the necessary infrastructure and technology to enable various payment transactions, such as online payments, card payments, mobile payments, and electronic fund transfers.

Examples: Popular PSOs like PayPal, RuPay, Visa, Mastercard, and Paytm act as intermediaries in processing and settling payments between buyers and sellers in online transactions.

About the guidelines:

Aim of the guidelines: These measures are intended to improve cyber safety and protect digital payment systems.

Source: BS

Context: According to a report by the LDC Group at the World Trade Organization (WTO), approximately 85% of the 11,000 products offered at zero tariffs by India to least developed countries (LDCs) under the duty-free quota-free (DFQF) scheme remain unutilized.

About the duty-free quota-free (DFQF) scheme :

Source: BusinessLine

Source: PIB

Context: Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar region is set to become a major power hub in North India, generating approximately 6,000 MW of power upon completion of ongoing power projects.

Names of the various upcoming hydroelectric project are: Pakal Dul (1,000 MW); Kiru Hydroelectric project (624 MW); Kwar Hydroelectric project, Kirthai II Hydroelectric project, Ratle project, Dulhasti power station, and Dulhasti II Hydroelectric project.

Source: UNODC

Context: As per United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, there is no slowdown of trade in methamphetamine and other illegal drugs originating from a golden triangle of Southeast Asia.

Golden Triangle includes the area of three countries namely Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, where the cultivation and production of drugs such as opium and heroin have been prevalent. The area has been a major source of illegal drugs, contributing to the global drug trade, along with Golden Crescent (comprising Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan).

Source: TH

Context: President Droupadi Murmu recently visited Suriname on a three-day trip, aiming to strengthen India's bilateral relations with the South American nation. The visit to Suriname is a significant component of her two-nation tour, with Serbia being the other destination.

Suriname (Capital: Paramaribo) is a small country on the northeastern coast of South America. It's defined by vast swaths of tropical rainforest, Dutch colonial architecture and a melting-pot culture.

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InstaLinks : Table of Contents: GS Paper 3: Preventing train accidents in India Oil reserves in salt caverns Importance of Biodiversity E-Waste: Solar panels Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) Indian Navy's Green Initiatives Facts for Prelims (FFP) Lavender Festival Sal seeds Adverse possession RBI's Payment System Operators (PSOs) norms India's preferential scheme for LDCs BRICS: Use of local currencies in global trade Mapping Kishtwar region (J&K) Golden Triangle Suriname GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Railways) Source: TH Context: Why do train accidents happen in India? The Performance Audit on Derailment in Indian Railways – a CAG (2022) report Findings in the CAG audit report: The main reason For example Factors responsible for derailments Some initiatives of the Indian govt. to prevent train accidents: The KAVACH: indigenously ATP RDSO It provides protection activates the train's braking system automatically The Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) not fitted with KAVACH-TCAS The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK): created in 2017-18 with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore The safety fund will be used for The number of funds allocated for track renewal projects decreased not "fully utilised". Way ahead Anil Kakodkar Committee on Railway Safety (2012) Advanced Signalling System LHB design coaches Bibek Debroy Committee on Mobilization of Resources for Major Railway Projects (2015) CAG Audit Report on Derailments (2022) To ensure timely implementation To prepare guiding principles To ensure strict adherence Insta Links: Growth in Indian railways GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: TH Context: Biodiversity/Biological diversity: Meaning: . Types: Importance of Biodiversity: Ecosystem services: Provisioning services new sustainable green economy. Regulating services: Supporting services: Social and cultural services: Food web maintenance: Scientific role: Threats: Impact of loss of Biodiversity: Efforts to reverse Biodiversity loss: Global Indian Biological Diversity Act, 2002 , National Biodiversity Policy, National Biodiversity Action Plan International Biodiversity Day (May 22) Theme (2023): 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBT) 20 global Aichi biodiversity targets. Designation Biodiversity hotspots (by CI), Biosphere reserves (by UNESCO) The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Way ahead: Civil society A paradigm shift in the care of biodiversity. For example, Indian Forest Service. multifunctional landscapes approach direct participation of local communities Some best practices from India: The Forest Rights Act 2006: National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Wellbeing: India's Biodiversity Collaborative Conclusion: Insta Links: Biodiversity Mains Links: How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC 2018) GS Paper 3 Syllabus : Economy Source: IE Context: prospects and feasibility of developing salt cavern-based strategic oil reserves in Rajasthan government's objective of increasing the country's strategic oil storage capacity. at Mangaluru and Padur in Karnataka, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh About Strategic Oil Reserves: measure to ensure energy security and stability in times of emergencies or disruptions in oil supply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) stockpiles equivalent to 90 days of import protection. Statistics about Oil Reserves In India: world's third-largest consumer of crude, depends on imports for more than 85% of its requirement SPR capacity of 5.33 million tonnes or around 39 million barrels of crude provide around 9.5 days of oil requirement coverage. approximately 74 days of petroleum demand coverage. Visakhapatnam Mangaluru Padur Chandikhol in Odisha. Strategic Crude Oil Storage facilities Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) (a Underground storage economical method of storing petroleum products rules out the requirement of large swathes of land discharge crude into them from ships. Two types of underground reserves: Salt Cavern-Based Reserves Rock Cavern-Based Reserves Development Process solution mining Cost and Time Sealing and Accessibility well-sealed and engineered Oil Absorbency Operation Examples US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR Mangaluru and Padur in Karnataka, and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh Usage suitable for liquid fuels, natural gas, compressed air, and hydrogen Insta Links: GS Paper 3 Syllabus: E-Waste Source: BBC Context: last up to 25 years. What is Solar E-Waste? lifespan of 20-25 years What does Solar Panel consist of? glass, metal, silicon and polymer fractions around 80% of total weight non-hazardous. polymers, metals, metallic compounds and alloys potentially hazardous Status: still not commercially viable still at a nascent stage globally India does not have a solar waste management policy 2,00,000 tonnes by 2030 Issues with Solar E-Waste Management: Issue Example Lack of comprehensive policy Increasing volume of solar waste Limited recycling infrastructure High cost of recycling Toxic materials in the solar waste Limited awareness and enforcement Landfill disposal Resource wastage Various technologies available to extract valuable materials from solar e-waste include: Mechanical Shredding Thermal Treatment Chemical Leaching: Electrochemical Processes solar panel components Automated Robotic Systems sensors and artificial intelligence identify and separate different components Recent Government Initiative: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Green Credit Programme green growth and sustainable practices. Solar waste management by other countries Country Approach European Union United Kingdom United States Australia National Product Stewardship Investment Fund Japan Voluntary guidelines South Korea What India can do to promote solar waste management: Approach Mandating module manufacturers to use environmentally sustainable design eco-design initiative Specifying the liability and responsibility PV waste collection mutual recycling responsibility agreements Conducting surveys and assessments of existing recycling facilities recycling infrastructure to reduce costs, improving coordination between the energy and waste environmentally sound disposal and recycling of the solar waste Ban on landfills: Supporting research and development efforts Insta Links How to manage India's solar PV waste problem? E-Waste Management Mains Links Electronic waste, or e-waste, is becoming major a domestic and global issue. Discuss the steps that must be taken to ensure the safe disposal of e-waste in the country. (15M) Prelims Links In India, ‘extend producer responsibility’ was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? ( UPSC 2019) Ans: C Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) Source: PIB several green initiatives to protect the environment and promote sustainability. installed a retrofit device developed by Chakr Innovations. To combat oil spills marine bio-remedial agents 100KW capacity air conditioning plant based use of hydrogen as an alternate source of fuel. Hydrogen Aspirated Diesel Engine developmental project for a hydrogen fuel cell-powered To reduce vehicular emissions using biodiesel based on used cooking oil. Usage Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: PIB Context: Lavender Festival in Bhaderwah, Jammu, as part of the One Week One Lab Campaign Lavender capital of India About Lavender Revolution (also called Purple Revolution) and Aroma Mission: Description About Lavender fragrant flowering plant known essential oil Lavender Revolution 2016 by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology Objective domestic aromatic crop-based agro-economy Products Significance doubling farm incomes Aroma Mission transformative change Phase-I and II Nodal Agency CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Intended Outcomes Source: DTE Context Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) sal seeds (Shorea robusta) intends to arrest the distress sale of the minor forest produce (MFP). About Sal Trees: India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Tibet and across the Himalayan regions. Habitat deciduous forests, on hill slopes, and flat grounds and in evergreen moist forests It is found where the soil is deep resistant to fire Classified under the Minor Forest Produce Source: IE Context: About Adverse possession : Topic Information Adverse Possession hostile possession of the property owner of the land if they possess it openly and continuously land must not be left vacant but instead, be put to judicious use. Example If Person A neglects their land, Person B Origin dates back to ancient times statutes of limitation in England Legal Provision The Limitation Act of 1963 Possession for 12 years on private land or 30 years on government land Supreme Court's View SC Test for ‘Adverse Possession’ (2004) date of possession, nature of possession, whether the other party knew about it, how long the possession has continued, and that it was open and undisturbed. Source: ET Context: What are Payment System Operators (PSOs)? Examples: P PayPal, RuPay, Visa, Mastercard, and Paytm About the guidelines: implement inventory management report any unusual incident within six hours of detection all authorised non-bank PSOs The Board of PSOs Aim of the guidelines: improve cyber safety and protect digital payment systems. Source: BS Context: 85% of the 11,000 products offered About the duty-free quota-free (DFQF) scheme : Aspect Information About the scheme all developed and developing country members Origin WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Meeting in 2005. India first developing country to extend this facility to LDCs 85% of India's total tariff lines Expansion 98% of India's tariff lines to LDCs Reasons for low utilization Source: BusinessLine Mapping Source: PIB Context: major power hub in North India 6,000 MW of power upon Names of the various upcoming hydroelectric project are Source: UNODC Context: there is no slowdown of trade in methamphetamine three countries namely Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, Golden Crescent Source: TH Context: strengthen India's bilateral relations with Serbia being Suriname (Capital: ) is a small country Dutch colonial architecture Read the CA in PDF format here: TELEGRAM HERE HERE Our podcast channel HERE HERE Twitter Account HERE Instagram Account HERE LinkedIn: HERE