DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 24th April 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Environment

Context: A quarter of the coastal land of China will sink below sea level within a century, putting hundreds of millions of people at risk of being flooded, due to land subsidence and climate change, according to a new study, published in the journal Science on Friday (April 19).

Background:-

• The land subsidence in China is primarily a result of rapid urbanisation — activities such as excessive groundwater extraction and the weight of buildings lead to subsidence. The situation has been exacerbated by climate change, which is resulting in the rise of sea levels.
• Sea level rise isn’t just limited to China. It is a global issue that is projected to affect between 130 million to half a billion people depending on different temperature scenarios in the long run, according to a UN report.

How fast is the global sea level rising?

• The global sea level has risen by about 8–9 inches or 21–24 centimetres since 1880, according to a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• The more worrying sign is that since 1993, the rate of increase has been accelerating. It has more than doubled from 0.07 inches or 0.18 centimetres per year in 1993 to the current rate of 0.17 inches or 0.42 centimetres per year.
• Global average sea level rose by about 0.3 inches or 0.76 centimetres from 2022 to 2023.
• Experts said there was a huge jump in global sea level between the two years mainly due to the development of El Niño, a weather pattern associated with warmer oceans, in June 2023. Now that El Niño is weakening, the rate of sea level rise is expected to slow down.

How climate change is leading to sea level rise?

• The key driver behind rising sea levels is global warming. As temperatures across the world continue to soar, more and more glaciers and ice sheets are melting and adding water to the ocean.
• Global warming is also making the ocean warmer, which is leading to something called thermal expansion — when water becomes warmer, it expands in volume. This is contributing to sea level rise as well.

Why does sea level rise matter?

• The most visible consequence of sea level rise will be the flooding of coastal areas. Take the example of coastal cities in India. A 2022 analysis by RMSI, a global risk management firm, found that some critical properties and road networks in Mumbai, Kochi, Mangalore, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram will be submerged by 2050.
• Things are worse for island countries like Indonesia. In 2019, Indonesia announced that the country’s capital would be relocated from Jakarta, which is prone to flooding, to the province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
• The rise of sea level also leads to more intense storm surges — the rise in seawater level caused solely by a storm — flooding, and damage to coastal areas. That’s because higher sea level can allow more water inland during hurricane-related storm surges.
• With sea level rise, saltwater contaminates freshwater aquifers, many of which are used by communities for agricultural and drinking purposes.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: Every year, April 22 is observed as Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection.

Background:

• The year 2024 marks the 54th anniversary of the annual celebrations.

About Earth DAY :

• Earth Day was first observed in 1970 when 20 million took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation. The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and other issues such as smog and polluted rivers.
• For over the next half century, Earth Day continued to play an important role in environmental activism. The landmark Paris Agreement, which brings almost 200 countries together to set a common target to reduce global greenhouse emissions, was signed on Earth Day 2016.
• In 2009, the United Nations designated Earth Day as International Mother Earth Day.
• According to earthday.org,Earth Day aims to “build the world’s largest environmental movement to drive transformative change for people and the planet.” The movement’s mission is “to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.”
• Earth Day is celebrated to remind each of us that the Earth and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance. This day also recognises a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.
• This year, the theme is ‘Planet vs. Plastics’. The theme highlights the threat plastics pose to the planet and human health. It calls for an end to all plastic waste by demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics by the year 2040.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – International Event

Context: Iran launched a significant attack on Israel, deploying over 300 projectiles, including approximately 170 drones, cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic missiles.

Background:

• Tit-for-tat confrontation between Israel and Iran has sparked concerns about escalation dragging the Middle East into all-out war.

What led Iran to attack Israel?

• In 2018, Israel hails US withdrawal from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers after years of lobbying against the agreement, calling Trump’s decision “a historic move”.
• In 2020, Israel welcomed the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, in an American drone strike in Baghdad. Iran strikes back with missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing American troops.
• In October 2023, Hamas (the Iran-backed terrorist group) launched a missile attack targeting Israel. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes on Gaza.
• In November 2023, Israel started conducting raids and attacking medical facilities as Hamas was reportedly operating from these hospital buildings and carrying out their warfare.
• In November 2023, The Iran-backed Houthi group, based in Yemen, landed their helicopter on the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel as it was passing via the Red Sea. This marked the start of the ‘Red Sea Crisis,’ which eventually led to supply chain issues.
• In December 2023, Israel’s ground offenses in the Gaza Strip intensified at a rapid pace. This led to an increase in the death toll and the number of refugees. India urged for an ‘early and durable resolution’ between the warring nations.
• A suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus kills seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, including two senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.
• In April 2024, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. The attack was, allegedly, in response to a suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria. This marked the first instance of Iran directly targeting Israel from its domestic territory.
• The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that the Israeli air defence system intercepted 99% of the incoming projectiles from Iran. The United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other Middle Eastern allies also helped defend Israel.

Impact of the Iran-Israel War on the world:

• Given the widely held Israeli belief that a nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel, retaliation cannot be ruled out of the decision-making matrix. Failure of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions or negotiate a peaceful resolution could leave military action as the only option, increasing the likelihood of regional escalation.
• Iran is the third-largest producer of crude oil within OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries). If the tensions between Iran and Israel escalate further, the supply of crude oil prices will be severely disrupted. This will hit Indian share market sentiment as India is the third-largest consumer and importer of crude oil, importing over 80% of its crude oil needs.
• If geopolitical tensions increase from hereon, commodity prices will move up due to supply disruptions. Globally, inflation will remain high due to geopolitical tension as it will affect crude oil prices and other commodity prices such as copper, zinc, aluminium, nickel, etc. As a result of these concerns, investors are expected to become cautious and may move their money out of riskier assets like Indian stocks and into safer options like gold (bullion).
• Apart from oil prices being affected, trade and travel could also be hit by the likelihood of an Israel-Iran all-out war. Aviation and shipping sectors could be disrupted. Several countries in the region, including Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel, temporarily closed their airspaces, opening it later, albeit with restrictions.
• India’s long-standing strategic relationships with both Iran and Israel present challenges on both policy and operational fronts. India values its strategic partnership with Israel, which includes defence cooperation, technology exchange, and intelligence sharing. However, India also maintains historical and economic ties with Iran, including energy imports and infrastructure projects. India seeks to maintain stability in the Middle East to safeguard its interests, including energy security and the welfare of its diaspora.

Way Forward:

• Israel should accept a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, open the borders for international humanitarian aid to Gaza, and respect the UN resolutions to end the 70-year-old crisis by realizing a two-state solution. The two-state solution is the only feasible way ahead for long-term security, peace, and stability in the region. It is not an easy goal, but both sides are familiar with the challenges and opportunities.
• An international initiative must mediate a sustainable ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Encouraging both countries to engage in direct talks facilitated by international mediators could help build trust and find common ground. Iran and Israel could engage in direct talks facilitated by a neutral third party, such as the European Union or the United Nations.
• Iran could adhere to the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and allow international inspections of its nuclear facilities to ensure compliance with the agreement. In return, Israel could recognise Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and commit to refraining from military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
• Promoting cooperation between Iran and Israel within the framework of regional organizations, such as the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council, could help address shared security concerns and foster stability in the Middle East.
• Regional powers could work together to establish a comprehensive security architecture for the Middle East, including confidence-building measures, arms control agreements, and mechanisms for resolving conflicts peacefully. Addressing underlying issues, such as historical grievances, territorial disputes, and religious extremism, can help create an environment conducive to peace and reconciliation.
• Iran and Israel could take steps towards normalizing diplomatic relations, such as exchanging ambassadors, reopening embassies, and facilitating people-to-people exchanges, similar to the peace agreements between Israel and some Arab states like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Source: AP

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: The Chipko Movement, which began in the Uttarakhand region of the Himalayas in early 1973, has now reached its 50th anniversary.

Background:

• The Chipko Movement’s tireless efforts and commitment to the environment continue to inspire new generations of activists.

About CHIPKO MOVEMENT :

• The Chipko Movement, also known as the Chipko Andolan, was a non-violent environmental movement that originated in Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh) in 1973.
• The name “Chipko” derives from Hindi, signifying “to hug.”
• During the movement, villagers embraced trees to prevent them from being cut down by loggers.
• The movement aimed to protect the Himalayan range trees from the axes of builders and commercial interests.
• The Chipko Movement is best remembered for the active participation of women in preserving forests.
• It changed attitudes regarding women’s status in society and highlighted their role in environmental conservation.
• Sunderlal Bahuguna, a Gandhian and environmentalist, played a pivotal role in the Chipko Movement.
• He coined the famous Chipko slogan: “Ecology is permanent economy.”

Major Achievements:

• Rights to Forests: The movement made people aware of their rights to forests and demonstrated how grassroots activism could influence policy-making regarding ecology and shared natural resources.
• Ban on Commercial Felling: In 1981, the movement led to a ban on commercial tree felling above 30 degrees slope and above 1,000 meters above mean sea level (msl).

Source: Down To Earth

Previous Year Question

Q) Chipko movement was basically against

1. Water pollution
2. Noise pollution
3. Deforestation
4. Cultural pollution

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: The Delhi High Court has raised concerns about the low-income threshold for financial assistance under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme.

Background:

• The court’s observation highlights the need for a re-evaluation of the income threshold to ensure equitable access to healthcare assistance for those in need.

About RASHTRIYA AROGYA NIDHI (RAN) SCHEME:

• The umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) is a central sector scheme designed to provide financial assistance to poor patients living below the poverty line.
• It provides one-time financial assistance to poor patients living below State/UT wise threshold poverty line and suffering from life threatening diseases relating to heart, kidney, liver, cancer, etc. for treatment at any of Super Specialty Government hospitals/institutes.
• RAN offers financial support for treatments such as organ transplants, cancer treatment, and other critical procedures.
• The assistance is provided as a one-time grant to eligible patients.

The Umbrella Scheme of RAN has three components as under:

• Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) – Financial assistance for treatment of life-threatening diseases relating to heart, kidney, liver, etc. at Government hospitals/institutes having Super Specialty facilities; (Maximum financial assistance is Rs. 15 lakhs)
• Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) – Financial assistance for treatment of cancer at Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs)/ Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) and State Cancer Institutes (SCIs); (Maximum financial assistance is Rs. 15 lakhs)
• Financial assistance for poor patients suffering from rare diseases – for specified rare diseases for treatment at Government hospitals/institutes having Super Specialty facilities; (Maximum financial assistance is Rs. 20 lakhs)

Source: PIB

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: Trained National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from 153 NSS units are stepping up to make a difference in Kozhikode district during the upcoming polls.

Background:

• These dedicated volunteers will extend their helping hands to differently abled individuals and senior citizens, ensuring their well-being and facilitating their participation in the democratic process.

About NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS):

• The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Government of India, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• It aims to provide an opportunity for student youth across different educational levels to participate in various government-led community service activities and programs.
• NSS encourages students to actively engage in community service while pursuing their education.
• NSS was launched in 1969, during the birth centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, involving 40,000 students across 37 universities.
• NSS promotes the development of students’ personality and character through voluntary community service.

Source: Hindu

Q1.) With reference to the National Service Scheme (NSS), consider the following statements:

1. The National Service Scheme (NSS) is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
2. NSS was launched during the birth centenary year of Jawaharlal Nehru.
3. It aims to provide an opportunity for student youth across different educational levels to participate in various government-led community service activities and programs.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2.) With reference to the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) scheme, consider the following statements:

1. The Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) is designed to provide financial assistance to poor patients living below the poverty line.
2. The assistance is provided as a one-time grant to eligible patients.
3. The scheme covers treatments for heart, kidney, liver diseases, cancer, and specified rare diseases.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of the above

Q3.) With reference to the Chipko Movement, consider the following statements:

1. The Chipko Movement was a non-violent environmental movement.
2. The movement aimed to protect the Himalayan range trees from the axes of builders and commercial interests.
3. Sunderlal Bahuguna played a pivotal role in the Chipko Movement.

How many of the statements given above are not correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. None

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  24th April  2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – b