DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th June 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Current Event

Context: Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country in the world to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming.

Background:-

• Denmark’s move comes after months of protests by farmers across Europe against climate change mitigation measures and regulations that they say are driving them to bankruptcy.

Key takeaways

• Although carbon dioxide typically gets more attention for its role in climate change, methane traps about 87 times more heat on a 20-year timescale, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• Levels of methane, which is emitted from sources including landfills, oil and natural gas systems and livestock, have increased particularly quickly since 2020.
• Livestock account for about 32 per cent of human-caused methane emissions, says the UN Environment Program.
• New Zealand had passed a similar law due to take effect in 2025. However, the legislature was scrapped after facing multiple criticisms from farmers.

For Your Information:

• As of 2030, Danish livestock farmers will be taxed 300 kroner ($43) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. The tax will increase to 750 kroner ($108) by 2035. However, because of an income tax deduction of 60%, the actual cost per ton will start at 120 kroner ($17.3) and increase to 300 kroner by 2035.
• The aim is to reduce Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels by 2030
• As of 2030, Danish livestock farmers will be taxed 300 kroner ($43) per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030. The tax will increase to 750 kroner ($108) by 2035. However, because of an income tax deduction of 60%, the actual cost per ton will start at 120 kroner ($17.3) and increase to 300 kroner by 2035.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – ART & CULTURE

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister Modi paid his respectful tribute to Sant Kabir Das on his 647th birth anniversary.

Background:

• Kabir Jayanti, also known asKabir Praakat Diwas, is celebrated to commemorate the manifestation of Kabir, a famous poet and mystic saint. It is celebrated once in a year on the full moon day in the Hindu month Jyeshtha, which is the month of May or June according to the Gregorian calendar.

About Kabir Das

• Kabir (1398–1518 CE) was a well-known Indianmystic poet and sant.
• His verses are found in Sikhism’s scriptureGuru Granth Sahib, the Satguru Granth Sahib of Saint Garib Das, and Kabir Sagar of Dharamdas.
• Born in the city ofVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh, he is known for being critical of organized religions.
• He questioned what he regarded to be the meaningless and unethical practices of all religions, primarily what he considered to be the wrong practices in Hinduism and Islam.During his lifetime, he was threatened by both Hindus and Muslims for his views.
• Kabir suggested that “truth” is with the person who is on the path of righteousness, considered everything, living and non living, as divine, and who is passively detached from the affairs of the world.To know the truth, suggested Kabir, drop the “I”, or the ego.
• Kabir’s legacy survives and continues through theKabir panth (“Path of Kabir”), Sant Mat sect that recognizes Kabir as its founder. Its members are known as Kabir panthis

Philosophies and Teachings of Kabir Das

Unity of God

• Kabir Das believed that there is only one God, and this God is beyond all religions.
• He criticized the rigid practices of both Hinduism and Islam, promoting the idea that God is one and present everywhere.
• Kabir’s famous lines, “If by worshiping stones one can find God, I will worship a mountain. But no one worships the grinding stone at home, though it feeds the world,” show his disdain for superficial religiosity.

Inner Devotion (Bhakti)

• Kabir emphasized that true worship comes from the heart. He believed that a sincere connection with God is more important than external rituals. He taught that one’s heart should be pure and filled with love for the divine, and this inner devotion is what truly matters.

Critique of Rituals and Superstitions

• Kabir was a vocal critic of empty rituals and superstitions. He urged people to look beyond these practices and focus on sincere devotion. He believed that rituals without true devotion are meaningless, and that people should seek a deeper, personal experience of God.

Equality and Social Justice

• Kabir condemned the caste system and social inequality. He believed that all human beings are equal, regardless of their caste, creed, or gender. His verses often called for unity and equality among all people, promoting a message of social justice and harmony.

Guru and Spiritual Guide

• Kabir placed great importance on the role of the Guru (spiritual teacher). He believed that a Guru is essential for guiding individuals on their spiritual journey and helping them realize the divine within themselves. Kabir saw the Guru as a vital link between the individual and the divine.

Simple Living

• Kabir advocated for a simple and humble lifestyle. He believed in living free from material desires and focusing on spiritual growth. His own life as a weaver exemplified his teachings of humility and simplicity, showing that one can lead a spiritually rich life without wealth or power.

Source: Money Control

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 1

Context: Geological conservation seeks to ensure the survival of the best representative examples of India’s geological features and events so that present and future generations can appreciate more of the world’s best natural laboratories. Despite international progress in this field, geo-conservation has not found much traction in India.

Background:

• With landscapes that range from the world’s greatest peaks to low-lying coastal plains, India showcases a diverse morphology that has evolved over billions of years. India’s tumultuous geological past is recorded in its rocks and terrains and should be considered as our non-cultural heritage.

Geo-heritage Sites:

• They are specific places with geological importance, holding both natural and cultural value.
• These features offer valuable insights into the Earth’s history and evolution, as well as contribute to education in Earth sciences.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the main organization responsible for identifying and preserving geo-heritage sites and national geological monuments throughout the country.
• The Mawmluh Cave in Meghalaya was designated as the first Indian Geo-heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.
• There are 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India.
• GSI or the respective State governments are responsible for taking necessary measures to protect these sites.

Significance of Geo Heritage Sites in India:

• They serve as educational hubs for learning about geology and contribute to our understanding of Earth’s history and the processes that have shaped our planet.
• Preserving these sites is as important as conserving biodiversity and cultural heritage because they offer a unique insight into the geological evolution of our world.
• These sites provide valuable knowledge about geological phenomena, climate change, and the Earth’s dynamic past, making them essential for scientific research and education. They also help cultivate an appreciation for Earth sciences among people of all ages.
• They can provide additional benefits such as boosting tourism, driving economic growth, and promoting environmental conservation which makes them invaluable assets for society and for future generations to cherish and learn from.

Challenges/Issues faced in Geological Conservation in India:

• Many fossil-bearing sites have been destroyed in the name of development by real estate growth and destructive stone mining activities. More than 10% of the total area of India is under stone-mining operations.
• India is a signatory to the ‘First International Symposium on the Conservation of our Geological Heritage’ of UNESCO but has not made any separate legislation or policy for its implementation like that of Thailand and Vietnam.
• Geo-heritage sites in Canada, China, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom have been developed as national parks whereas no such steps have been taken in India.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has notified 34 geological monuments but it lacks the regulatory powers to implement the preservation measures. Recently, the district administration demolished a part of the cliff in Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala citing landslide hazards.

Way Forward:

• India needs to create an inventory of all prospective geo-sites in the country (in addition to the 34 sites identified by the GSI).
• India should frame geo-conservation legislation for the country along the lines of the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
• India should have a ‘National Geo-Conservation Authority’ along the lines of the National Biodiversity Authority, with independent observers, while ensuring that the establishment will not lead to red tape and encroach on the autonomy of researchers and academically-inclined private collectors.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Houthi rebels targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was off the coast of Aden when a missile impacted the water near it.

Background:

• The Houthi rebels continue to pose a threat in the Gulf of Aden region. The safety of seafarers and vessels remains a concern.

About Gulf of Aden

• The Gulf of Aden is an extension of the Indian Ocean, situated between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.
• It connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and ultimately to the Indian Ocean.
• The gulf is named after “Aden,” a port city on Yemen’s coast.
• It spans approximately 900 kilometers in length and 500 kilometers in width, covering roughly 410,000 square kilometers.
• The Gulf of Aden is bounded by Somalia and the Socotra Islands (part of Yemen) to the south, Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, and Djibouti to the west.
• Notable cities near the gulf include Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City.
• Major ports in the region include Aden (Yemen), Berbera, and Bosaso (both in Somalia).
• It plays a critical role in the Suez Canal shipping route, connecting the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Source: AP News

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: India Prepares for Ganga Water Treaty Renewal with Bangladesh.

Background:

• The Ganga Water Treaty, a crucial agreement between India and Bangladesh, was signed on December 12, 1996, and is due for renewal in 2026.

About GANGA WATER TREATY

• The Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, signed in 1996, governs the sharing of Ganga River waters at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal between India and Bangladesh.
• This comprehensive bilateral treaty established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement between the two countries.
• The treaty is valid until the end of 2026, with a clause allowing renewal every 10 years by mutual consent.
• It specifically outlines the minimum level of water flow that India must share with its downstream neighbour, Bangladesh, during the dry season—from January to May.
• The treaty recognizes Bangladesh’s rights as a lower-level riparian and aims to resolve the long-standing dispute over the allocation and development of the Ganges River’s water resources.
• The Farakka Barrage, built in 1974, plays a crucial role in controlling the flow of the Ganges River and diverting water into the Hooghly River to maintain navigability at Kolkata Port.

Ganga River System:

• It rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh in Uttarakhand where it is known as Bhagirathi.
• At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; hereafter, it is known as the Ganga.
• The Ganga enters the Northern plains at Haridwar.
• Ganga flows through the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
• Yamuna, Son and Damodar are the major right bank tributary and the important left bank tributaries are Ramganga, Gomati, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi and Mahananda.
• Ganga flows into the Bay of Bengal near the Sagar Island.

Source: Financial Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – GEOGRAPHY

Context: Climate change impact is  jeopardising delicate balance of Tanzania’s Lake Natron

Background:

• The lake is the only regular breeding area in East Africa for the 2.5 million lesser flamingoes, whose status of “near threatened” results from their dependence on this one location.

About Lake Natron

• Lake Natron is a salt or alkaline lake located in north Ngorongoro District of Arusha Region in Tanzania at the border with Kenya.
• It is in the Gregory Rift, which is the eastern branch of the East African Rift.
• The lake is within the Lake Natron Basin, a Ramsar Site wetland of international significance.

Properties

• This lake is fed principally by the Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River, which rises in central Kenya, and by mineral-rich hot springs.
• It is quite shallow, less than three metres deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The lake is a maximum of 57 kilometres long and 22 kilometres wide.
• High levels of evaporation have left behind natron (sodium carbonate decahydrate) and trona (sodium sesquicarbonate dihydrate).
• The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH of greater than 12. The surrounding bedrock is composed of alkaline, sodium-dominated trachyte lavas that were laid down during the Pleistocene period.
• The lavas have significant amounts of carbonate but very low calcium and magnesium levels. This has allowed the lake to concentrate into a caustic alkaline brine.
• The chemical properties of the water are known to calcify the bodies of any living thing that died in the lake, turning them to stone before they decompose.
• The colour of the lake is characteristic of those where very high evaporation rates occur.
• As water evaporates during the dry season, salinity levels increase to the point that salt-loving microorganisms begin to thrive. Such halophile organisms include some cyanobacteria that make their own food with photosynthesis as plants do.
• The red accessory photosynthesizing pigment in the cyanobacteria produces the deep reds of the open water of the lake and the orange colours of the shallow parts of the lake.
• The alkali salt crust on the surface of the lake is also often coloured red or pink by the salt-loving microorganisms that live there. Salt marshes and freshwater wetlands around the edges of the lake do support a variety of plants.

Source: Down to Earth

Q1.) With reference to the Gulf of Aden, consider the following statements:

1. The Gulf of Aden is an extension of the Pacific Ocean.
2. It connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q2.) With reference to the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, consider the following statements:

1. It governs the sharing of Ganga River waters at the Farakka Barrage in West Bengal between India and Bangladesh.
2. It specifically outlines the minimum level of water flow that India must share with its downstream neighbour, Bangladesh, during the dry season.
3. The treaty is valid until the end of 2026, with a clause allowing renewal every 10 years by mutual consent.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1,2 and 3

Q3.) “The chemical properties of the water are known to calcify the bodies of any living thing that died in the lake, turning them to stone before they decompose”. Which water body is the sentence referring to?

1. Lake Natron
2. Lake Baikal
3. Lake Tangayika
4. Lake Huron

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  28th  June 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c