DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st August 2024

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 & GS 3

Context: Recently, a US judge ruled that Google violated antitrust law, spending billions of dollars to create an illegal monopoly and become the world’s default search engine.

Background:-

• Judgement noted that Google had paid $26.3 billion in 2021 alone to ensure that its search engine is the default on smartphones and browsers, and to keep its dominant market share.

The Evolution and Current Challenges of Big Tech

• Apple vs. IBM in the 1980s:
  • 1984: Apple, a rising company, positioned itself against IBM, the industry giant, with an iconic advertisement highlighting the struggle between the upstart and the established player.
• Microsoft and Google in the Late 1990s:
  • 1999: A landmark antitrust ruling against Microsoft curtailed its dominance, paving the way for emerging companies like Google to grow, particularly in web search.
• Apple and Google Today:
  • Apple and Google have transitioned from upstarts to dominant forces in the tech industry, often referred to as “Big Tech.”
  • These companies now face scrutiny over their market dominance, similar to the challenges IBM and Microsoft faced in the past.
• S. Antitrust Ruling Against Google:
  • Recent Development: A U.S. federal judge ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain its monopoly in online search, a significant ruling that could reshape the digital business landscape.
  • Implications: This ruling may lead to proposals to break up Google’s business units, impacting the broader tech industry.
• Antitrust Concerns and Reforms in India:
  • Challenges in India: Google faces criticism in India over its app store billing policies and its dominance in online advertising, which are seen as stifling competition.
• Digital Competition Bill, 2024:
  • Proposed Law: India’s draft Digital Competition Bill aims to prevent anti-competitive practices by big tech companies, similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
  • The law will stop tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon from self-preferencing their own services, or using data gathered from one company to benefit another group company.
  • It also has provisions to set presumptive norms to curb anti-competitive practices before they actually take place, and promises to impose heavy penalties — which could amount to billions of dollars — for violations.
• Innovation and Market Barriers:
  • Government believe that Big Tech’s dominance has confined much of the recent innovation within a few large companies, creating high entry barriers for new competitors.
  • There is a growing push for a global consensus on regulations to protect consumers while encouraging innovation, preventing the concentration of power within a few dominant players.
• India’s Regulatory Push:
  • India’s Competition Commission (CCI) fined Google for anti-competitive practices in the Android ecosystem.
  • The Digital Competition Bill, if passed, could require major tech companies to make significant changes to their platforms, ensuring a more competitive digital landscape.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 & GS 3

Context: During the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists held recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s sustainable farming as a model for others.

Background:

• The transition from conventional farming to sustainable farming happens against the backdrop of growing concerns over changing climate patterns, environmental sustainability and a steadily expanding population.

Sustainable Agriculture:

• Sustainable agriculture aims to meet current production demands without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs, focusing on ecological stability, economic viability, and socio-cultural continuity. The global agricultural sector is transitioning from an intensification-based approach to sustainable and environment-friendly methods.

Principles and Objectives of Sustainable Agriculture:

• Increasing Productivity: Enhance agricultural productivity while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Also emphasize water- and energy-efficient production systems alongside higher yields.
• Protecting Natural Resources: Sustainable agriculture prioritizes soil fertility, water management, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Agricultural production depends directly on natural resources and therefore the sustainability of production depends on the sustainability of the resources themselves.
• Improving livelihoods and fostering inclusive economic growth: Increasing agricultural incomes is key to reducing poverty and food insecurity in rural areas. Agricultural sustainability can only be achieved if it provides decent employment conditions.
• Enhancing the resilience of people, communities and ecosystems: Build resilience against extreme weather events and market volatility to ensure stable productivity and better market economics. Increased focus on making the various agri-stakeholders resilient to threats, both natural and man-made, would contribute to sustainability.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• Sustainable agriculture supports multiple SDGs, including SDG1 (No Poverty), SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG15 (Life on Land).

Methods of Sustainable Agriculture:

• Organic Farming: Focuses on ecological balance using natural inputs, promoting soil health, and reducing pollution. While yields may be lower, long-term benefits include improved soil fertility and reduced environmental impact.
• Crop Rotation: Alternating crops on the same land enhances soil fertility, breaks pest cycles, and reduces chemical input reliance.
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops or livestock promotes biodiversity, supplements farmer income, and creates a resilient farming system.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Minimizes pesticide use through biological control, habitat modification, and cultural practices, maintaining ecosystem balance.
• Zero Tillage: Preserves soil structure and enhances fertility by avoiding traditional tillage, reducing erosion, and improving water retention.
• Hydroponics and Aquaponics: Hydroponics uses nutrient-enriched water to grow plants without soil, conserving water and reducing land degradation. Aquaponics combines hydroponics with fish farming, creating a symbiotic system where plants and fish support each other.

Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture:

• Climate Change: Rainfed agriculture in India is vulnerable to climate variability, affecting crop yields and food security.
• Population Pressure: Growing populations increase stress on agricultural systems, making the shift to sustainable methods more challenging.
• Lack of Knowledge: Awareness and adoption of new sustainable practices are limited, requiring enhanced education and outreach.
• High Capital Costs: The initial investment in sustainable agriculture is often high, especially for small and marginal farmers lacking credit access.
• Market Access and Post-Harvest Losses: Inadequate infrastructure and market access lead to post-harvest losses, reducing profitability and hindering sustainable practice adoption.

Source: Indian Express

 Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT

Context: Scientists have found new evidence that melting Arctic permafrost could unleash large sums of mercury, a dangerous toxin.

Background:

• Though the mercury released from melting permafrost doesn’t pose a toxic threat today, its impact will grow over time. It gradually accumulates in the food chain with fish and wild animals consumed by humans posing a future threat as it builds.

About permafrost

• Permafrost is a layer of soil or sediment that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. It is primarily found in polar regions and high mountain areas where temperatures are consistently low.
• Permafrost covers approximately 22.8 million square kilometers (about 8.8 million square miles) in the Northern Hemisphere. It is found in regions like Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, and parts of China and Eastern Europe.
• Composition and Structure
  • Components: Permafrost consists of soil, gravel, and sand, bound together by ice. It also contain organic material like dead plants and animals.
  • Thickness: The thickness of permafrost can vary significantly, ranging from a few meters to over 1,500 meters (about 4,900 feet) in some areas.

Why is there mercury in the Arctic?

• Earth’s natural atmospheric circulation tends to transport pollutants to higher latitude. This results in mercury accumulating in the Arctic where it is absorbed by plants which then die and become part of the soil.
• This freezes in the permafrost – where the ground stays frozen all year round – and over thousands of years, mercury concentrations have built up in the soil. In this form, it isn’t particularly dangerous.
• The toxic metal is released when the soil thaws – something climate change is making increasingly common. The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average.
• Previously sequestered bypermafrost in the sediment for millennia, this mercury is now being eroded and released into the environment.
• It could pose a major environmental and health threat to the 5 million people living in the Arctic and more than 3 million people who live in areas where thepermafrost is expected to disappear completely by 2050.

Source: Euronews

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Port Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal officially launched the SOP for Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) in New Delhi.

Background:

• A tug is a particular class of boat which helps mega-ships enter or leave a port.

Key takeaways :

• The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) is implemented by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• The program is part of the broader ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative, which aims to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in India’s maritime sector.
• The program is a significant step towards decarbonizing maritime operations in India.
• The GTTP is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian Major Ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternate fuels.

Key Highlights of the GTTP

• Phase 1: Begins on October 1, 2024, and continues until December 31, 2027.
• Participating Ports: Four major ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—will each procure or charter at least two green tugs.
• Investment: Expected to involve an investment of around INR 1000 Crores in building green tugs.
• Tug Specifications: The first set of tugs will be battery-electric, with provisions for adopting other emerging green technologies such as hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen as the industry evolves.
• Domestic Manufacturing: All tugs built under this program will be constructed in Indian shipyards as part of the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• Employment Opportunities: The program is expected to create significant employment opportunities in shipbuilding and ship design.
• Goal: By the end of 2040, all tugs operating in Indian Major Ports are envisioned to transition to green tugs, ensuring a standardized, eco-friendly fleet across the country.

Source: PIB

 Syllabus

• Prelims – ENVIRONMENT

Context: In a new study, researchers have assessed the suitability of different areas of Banni for sustainable grassland restoration, considering ecological value to be the primary criterion.

Background:

• Grassland areas are shrinking constantly due to anthropogenic activities, threatening biodiversity as well as the ecosystem services they provide.

Global Grassland Overview:

• Grasslands are one of the largest ecosystems in the world. They are distributed mainly in semiarid and arid areas, and include savannahs, grassy shrublands, and open grasslands.
• They support unique species and provide crucial ecosystem services like carbon storage, climate mitigation, and pollination.
• Grasslands are facing degradation due to deforestation, overgrazing, agriculture, urbanization, etc. Approximately 49% of global grasslands are experiencing degradation.

Grasslands in India:

• Grasslands cover about 8 lakh sq. km, or 24% of India’s total land area.
• They are under threat from agricultural conversion, plantations, invasive species, and development projects.
• Conservation efforts in India are biased towards forests, neglecting grasslands.

Banni Grassland in Gujarat:

• Located in Kachchh district, Banni is one of India’s largest grassland tracts, reduced from 3,800 sq. km to 2,600 sq. km.
• A study by KSKV Kachchh University assessed Banni’s suitability for restoration, focusing on ecological value.
• Study Findings: It grouped the prospective restoration zones of the Banni grassland into five categories depending on how suitable each zone was for restoration. They have found that as much as 937 sq. km (or 36%) of the existing grassland area was “highly suitable”, 728 sq. km (28 %) was “suitable”, 714 sq. km (27%) was “moderately suitable”, 182 sq. km. (7%) was “marginally suitable”, and 61 sq. km (2%) was “not suitable” for restoration.
• First two categories of “highly suitable” and “suitable” zones — which accounted for nearly two-thirds of the complete Banni grasslands — can be restored easily by simply providing them with adequate water sources, either through irrigation or rainwater harvesting.
• Moderately suitable zones also have potential, while marginally and non-suitable zones require more intensive management. It will need interventions such as terracing; with supplementary inputs like fertilizers; and protection from high water run-off and erosion, and salt intrusion.
• The study supports evidence-based recommendations for sustainable grassland management, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood enhancement.

Source: Hindu

 Syllabus

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Chhattisgarh Forest Department recently organised a Van Mahotsav programme in the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district by planting saplings using the Miyawaki method.

Background:

• Around 6,000 saplings were planted at five different sites, including the collectorate premises.

About Miyawaki method

• The Miyawaki method, developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is an innovative afforestation technique that involves planting native species densely to create fast-growing, self-sustaining forests.
• This method mimics natural forest ecosystems and can transform barren or degraded land into lush green spaces within a few years.
• This method is particularly beneficial in urban areas where space is limited but the need for green cover is high.
• It has revolutionised the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests.

Features of the Miyawaki Method:

• Dense Planting: Trees are planted very close to each other, typically 2-4 trees per square meter.
• Native Species: Only native species are used, which are well-adapted to the local environment.
• Rapid Growth: Trees grow 10 times faster and the forest becomes 30 times denser than conventional methods.
• Self-Sustaining: After the initial 2-3 years of care, these forests become self-sustaining.

Benefits of the Miyawaki Method

• Biodiversity: Supports a variety of plant and animal species, enhancing local biodiversity.
• Climate Mitigation: Acts as carbon sinks, helping to sequester carbon dioxide and mitigate climate change.
• Urban Cooling: Reduces urban heat island effects by lowering temperatures in surrounding areas.
• Soil Improvement: Improves soil quality and prevents erosion.
• Air Quality: Significantly improves air quality by filtering pollutants.

Source: Times of India

Q1.) With reference to the Miyawaki method, consider the following statements:

1. The Miyawaki method was developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
2. This method involves planting native species closely together, which promotes rapid growth and biodiversity.
3. Miyawaki method of plantation helps in reducing urban heat island effects by lowering temperatures in surrounding areas.

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 Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP), consider the following statements:

1. The Green Tug Transition Program is launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
2. The GTTP is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian Major Ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternate fuels.
3. The program is part of the broader ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative, which aims to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in India’s maritime sector.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

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

Q3.) Consider the following statements

1. Grasslands cover about 24% of India’s total land area.
2. Located in Gujarat, Banni is one of India’s largest grassland tracts.

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 ’  21st August 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) –  c

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – c