DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –8th May 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Science

Context: In a recent interview, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed his commitment to invest billions of dollars towards the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). But even as Altman continues to champion what is considered to be the pinnacle of AI development, many in the global tech community are very apprehensive.

Background:-

• AGI aims to emulate human cognitive abilities such that it allows it to do unfamiliar tasks, learn from new experiences, and apply its knowledge in new ways.

About Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

• AGI refers to a machine or a software that can perform any intellectual task that a human can do. AGI aims to emulate human cognitive abilities such that it allows it to do unfamiliar tasks, learn from new experiences, and apply its knowledge in new ways.
• The main difference between AGI and the more common form of AI, also known as narrow AI, lies in their scope and capabilities.
• Narrow AI is designed to perform specific tasks such as image recognition, translation, or even playing games like chess—at which it can outdo humans, but it remains limited to its set parameters.
• On the other hand, AGI envisions a broader, more generalised form of intelligence, not confined to any particular task (like humans). This is what puts AGI at the summit of all developments in artificial intelligence.
• The idea of AGI first emerged in the 20th century with a paper written by Alan Turing, widely considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence.
• In ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence’ (1950), he introduced what is now known as the Turing test, a benchmark for machine intelligence. Simply put, if a machine can engage in a conversation with a human without being detected as a machine, according to the Turing test, it has demonstrated human intelligence.
• When Turing wrote this influential paper, humans were nowhere close to developing artificial intelligence — even computers were in their nascency. Yet, his work led to wide-ranging discussions about the possibility of such machines, as well as their potential benefits and risks.
• In theory, AGI has innumerable positive implications in various fields such as healthcare, education, finance, and business.
• For instance, in healthcare, it can redefine diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalised medicine by integrating and analysing vast datasets, far beyond the capabilities of humans.In finance and business, AGI could automate various processes and enhance the overall decision-making, offering real-time analytics and market predictions with accuracy.When it comes to education, AGI could transform adaptive learning systems that work towards the unique needs of students. This could potentially democratise access to personalised education worldwide.
• Despite the promise AGI holds, it continues to fuel widespread apprehensions, due to a number of reasons. For instance, the humongous amount of computational power required to develop AGI systems raises concerns about its impact on the environment, both due to the energy consumption and generation of e-waste.
• AGI could also lead to a significant loss of employment, and widespread socio-economic disparity.
• It could introduce new security vulnerabilities, and its development could outrun the ability of governments and international bodies to come up with suitable regulations. And if humans were to become dependent on AGI, it might even lead to the loss of basic human skills and capabilities. But the most serious fear regarding AGI is that its abilities can outpace human beings’, making its actions difficult to understand and predict.

Source:Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: The Maharashtra forest department is gearing up for translocation of a few tigers from the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur to Sahyadri, the lone tiger reserve in the state’s western region.

Background:

• The translocation project is an important step in conservation of tigers in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, which form a key wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Key Takeaways

• The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is one of only five tiger reserves in the country — Kaval in Telangana, Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh, Dampa in Mizoram and Satkosia in Odisha being the other four — with zero tigers within the reserve and the translocation is part of a long-term plan to revive the population of the big cats in the northern Western Ghats forests.
• STR straddles Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra. Spread over 1,165 sq km, the reserve was notified in 2010 by amalgamating the Chandoli national park and Koyna wildlife sanctuary.
• The Maharashtra forest department is awaiting the final go-ahead from the Union Environment Ministry. The NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) had cleared the translocation plan in October 2023. In the initial phase, a male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers would be translocated from TATR to STR.
• The 2023 tiger population estimation report highlighted the threats posed to the wildlife corridor between the STR and Karnataka’s forests from mining activities, road projects and human settlements.
• The translocation of tigers from TATR will be followed by their translocation from the Pench Tiger Reserve landscape, which is spread over Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In all, the plan involves translocation of eight tigers — three males and five females.
• The translocation is part of the phase-II of the tiger recovery project; phase-I involves preparing the habitat for the big cats’ reintroduction, augmentation of prey, improving forest protection and building of a temporary enclosure for their soft release.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1

Context: India’s population growth has been a major focus, with projections of reaching 1.7 billion by 2065, according to the UN Population Division, underscoring the ongoing Transition of Demographic Dividend in India.

Background:

• Several factors have jointly triggered a demographic transition in India, the rapid pace of economic development being the key one. Lower infant and child mortality rates reducing the need to have a large family for old-age support, would be the other factor, backed by the rise in women’s education and work participation rates. Improvement in housing conditions and the old-age security system are the other contributing factors.

Demographic Transition:

• It refers to a change in the composition of a population over time. This change can occur due to various factors such as changes in birth and death rates, migration patterns, and changes in social and economic conditions.

Demographic Dividend:

• It is a phenomenon that occurs when a country’s population structure shifts from having a high proportion of dependents (children and elderly) to having a higher proportion of working-age adults. This change in population structure can result in economic growth and development if the country invests in its human capital and creates conditions for productive employment.

Factors that triggered Demographic Transition in India:

• The pace of economic development, particularly since the early years of the 21st century, has been a significant driver of demographic transition. Economic growth leads to improved living standards, better healthcare facilities, and increased access to education, which collectively contribute to lower fertility rates.
• Lower mortality rates among infants and children have reduced the need for families to have a large number of children for old-age support. As healthcare facilities improve and child mortality decreases, families feel more confident in having fewer children.
• Increased education and participation of women in the workforce have also played a crucial role. As women become more educated and financially independent, they tend to have fewer children and delay childbirth, leading to a decline in total fertility rates.
• Better housing conditions and access to basic amenities contribute to improved quality of life, which, in turn, affects family planning decisions.

Issues/Challenges Faced by Demographic Transition in India:

• While initially, the decline in TFR leads to a fall in the dependency ratio and a larger working-age population, it eventually results in a larger share of elderly dependents. This places a strain on resources for healthcare and social welfare, similar to the situations observed in China, Japan, and European countries.
• The decline in fertility rates is not uniform across all states in India. Some states, particularly larger ones like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand, may take longer to achieve replacement-level fertility. This can exacerbate regional disparities in economic development and healthcare access.
• While the demographic transition can potentially increase labour productivity and spur economic growth, it also poses challenges in terms of managing the aging workforce and ensuring adequate skills development for the younger population.

Opportunities for Demographic Transition in India:

• The demographic transition can lead to a deceleration in population growth. This can result in higher availability of capital resources and infrastructure on a per capita basis, ultimately boosting labour productivity.
• Decreasing fertility rates enable the reallocation of resources towards education and skill development, which can lead to improved human capital and workforce productivity. A declining TFR will lead to a situation where the number of children enrolling in schools is lower, as is already happening in states like Kerala. This could improve educational outcomes without additional resources being spent by the state.
• A major factor responsible for the low participation of women in the workforce is their engagement in childcare at an age when they should be in the labour force. With less time needed for childcare, one would expect more women to join the labour force in the coming decades.
• The movement of labour from regions with surplus labour to regions with growing industries can create spatial balance in the labour market. This would get an impetus with the modern sectors in the southern states, and Gujarat and Maharashtra, soliciting cheaper labour from the northern states. This, over the years, must result in improved working conditions, elimination of wage discrimination for migrant workers, and the mitigation of security concerns in the receiving states through institutional safeguards.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: Multiple cases of West Nile fever reported in Kerala.

Background:

• The Kerala Health Department is emphasizing mosquito control and the elimination of breeding sites to prevent further spread of the disease.

About WEST NILE FEVER :

• West Nile Fever (WNV) is an infectious disease caused by the West Nile virus (WNV).
• West Nile virus belongs to the flavivirus family and is related to viruses that cause other diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever.
• It is a mosquito-borne, single-stranded RNA virus.

Global Prevalence:

• WNV outbreaks occur along major bird migratory routes.
• The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1937 and has since been found in various regions including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.
• The virus is commonly found in regions including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia.

Prevalence in India:

• In India, WNV activity has been reported in southern, central, and western regions.
• Antibodies against WNV were first detected in humans in Mumbai in 1952.
• WNV has been isolated from mosquitoes in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

Transmission Cycle:

• The principal vector for transmission is the Culex species of mosquitoes.
• Birds act as reservoir hosts for the virus.
• Infected mosquitoes transmit WNV between humans and animals, including birds.

Prevention and Control:

• There is currently no vaccine available for humans; therefore, prevention and supportive care are key in managing the risk and impact of this disease.
• Preventive measures include mosquito control, avoiding mosquito bites, and monitoring bird populations.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: Some techniques within carbon farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Background:

• By adopting carbon-smart farming methods, we can simultaneously meet food demands and combat climate change.

About CARBON FARMING :

• Carbon farming also known as carbon sequestration refers to a set of practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and land use.
• It aimed at storing carbon in the soil, crop roots, wood, and leaves.

Key Techniques in Carbon Farming:

• Rotational Grazing: This involves moving livestock between pastures to allow vegetation to recover, enhancing soil carbon storage.
• Agroforestry: Incorporating trees and shrubs into farming systems to sequester carbon in vegetation.
• Conservation Agriculture: Practices like zero tillage, crop rotation, and cover cropping to minimize soil disturbance and improve organic content.
• Integrated Nutrient Management: Using organic fertilizers and compost to promote soil fertility and reduce emissions.
• Livestock Management: Optimizing feed quality and managing animal waste to lower methane emissions.

Challenges in Implementation:

• Geographical Factors: Effectiveness varies based on location, soil type, crop selection, and water availability.
• Biodiversity: Practices must be balanced with maintaining ecosystem services to avoid negative impacts like biodiversity loss.
• Policy and Community Engagement: Requires sufficient policy support and community involvement for successful adoption.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Water Conservation

Context: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has constructed more than 900 recharge wells across the city within a span of one month.

Background:

• The current water crisis in Bengaluru is not solely due to a lack of water from the Cauvery River. Instead, it arises from inefficient rainwater harvesting practices and inadequate water tanks for recharging groundwater.

RECHARGE WELLS

• Recharge wells are structures designed to directly recharge groundwater.
• They play a crucial role in replenishing aquifers and maintaining sustainable water availability.
• These wells are typically deep shafts (ranging from 0.5 to 3 meters in diameter and 10 to 15 meters deep).
• They allow surplus water (such as rainwater) to infiltrate into the aquifer, effectively recharging the groundwater.

Benefits of Recharge Wells:

• Groundwater Replenishment: By allowing rainwater to percolate into the ground, recharge wells help maintain groundwater levels. This is especially important during dry periods or when wells are at risk of drying up.
• Environmental Sustainability: Recharge wells contribute to overall environmental health by ensuring a balanced water cycle. They prevent excessive runoff and erosion.
• Agricultural Productivity: Farmers with augmented water resources can secure two to three crops a year, improving their income and quality of life. Efficient water use also reduces input costs for irrigation and labour.
• Urban Water Management: In urban areas, recharge wells help manage stormwater runoff, reduce flooding, and maintain stable water tables.
• Energy Savings: Rising groundwater levels due to recharge wells can save energy. For instance, a 1-meter rise in water level saves approximately 0.4 kWh of electricity.

Source: The Hindu

Q1.) With reference to the recharge wells, consider the following statements:

1. Recharge wells are structures designed to directly recharge groundwater.
2. They play a crucial role in replenishing aquifers and maintaining sustainable water availability.
3. In urban areas, recharge wells help manage stormwater runoff, reduce flooding, and maintain stable water tables.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q2.) Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

Carbon farming refers to a set of practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and land use.

Statement-II:

Carbon farming aims at storing carbon in the soil, crop roots, wood, and leaves.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Q3.) With reference to the West Nile Fever (WNV), consider the following statements:

1. West Nile Fever is an infectious disease caused by the West Nile virus.
2. The principal vector for transmission is the Culex species of mosquitoes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  8th May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – b