DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –22nd May 2024

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Environment

Context: Venezuela has likely become the first country — it certainly won’t be the last — in modern history to lose all its glaciers. This comes after scientists reclassified the Humboldt glacier, Venezuela’s last remaining glacier, as an ice field earlier this month.

Background:-

• Scientists expected the Humboldt glacier to last another decade. However, it melted at a faster rate than expected.

Key takeaways

• Venezuela used to be home to six glaciers, located at about 5,000 metres above sea level in the Andes mountains.
• By 2011, five of them had vanished. Scientists expected the Humboldt glacier to last another decade. But it melted at a faster rate than expected, and has shrunk to an area of less than 2 hectares, leading to its downgrade from a glacier to an ice field.

What are glaciers?

• Glaciers are essentially large and thick masses of ice that are formed on land due to the accumulation of snow over centuries.
• According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), they usually exist and form in areas where mean annual temperatures reach near the freezing point; winter precipitation leads to significant snow accumulations; and temperatures throughout the remaining year do not cause the complete loss of the previous winter’s snow accumulation.
• Due to their sheer mass and gravity, glaciers tend to flow like very slow rivers. Although there is no universal consensus on how large a mass of ice has to be to qualify as a glacier, the USGS says a commonly accepted guideline is around 10 hectares.

Why are glaciers disappearing?

• The reason is quite obvious — it is global warming. Glaciers are melting due to warmer temperatures.
• Since the Industrial Revolution kicked off in the 18th Century, human activities such as burning fossil fuels have been releasing GHGs like carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. These invisible gases trap heat — they allow sunlight to pass through the atmosphere but prevent the heat that sunlight brings from returning into space — leading to a rise in global temperatures.
• In recent decades, the emission of GHGs has skyrocketed, which has resulted in the global average temperature to increase by at least 1.1 degree Celsius since 1880. The temperature rise may seem small but it has had devastating consequences.
• The Andes — a mountain range running through parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela — has witnessed a temperature increase of a high rate of 0.10 degree Celsius in the past seven decades. That is one of the major reasons why Venezuela has lost all of its glaciers.
• In the case of the Humboldt glacier, the melting was accelerated by El Niño, which developed in July 2023. El Niño refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and leads to warmer temperatures.
• India is also at the risk of losing its glaciers. They are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush Himalayan mountain ranges.

What are the impacts of glacier loss?

• Glaciers are a crucial source of freshwater, especially during hot, dry periods, for local communities, plants, and animals. Their disappearance would mean that one would have to be entirely dependent on spot rainfall for freshwater.
• The cold water that runs off glaciers keeps downstream water temperatures cooler. This is crucial for many aquatic species in the region as they need cold water temperatures to survive. Glacier loss directly impacts such species.
• Melting glaciers can also contribute to the rise in sea level. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets — they are also considered as glaciers — are the largest contributors to global sea level rise.
• For the South American country, however, the biggest impact of losing all of its glaciers will be cultural.Glaciers were a part of the region’s cultural identity, and for mountaineering and touristic activities.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Environment

Context: India is hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi.

Background:

• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has organised the meeting, which will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty.India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

The Antarctic Treaty

• Twelve countries — Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States — were the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty, which was signed on December 1, 1959.
• The treaty came into force in 1961, and a total of 56 countries — including India, in 1983 — have joined it since then.
• The Antarctic Treaty, which was signed during the Cold War, effectively designated Antarctica as a “no man’s land”, outside the bounds of international geopolitical competition.

Few key features of the treaty are:

• Antarctica shall be used only for peaceful purposes, and no militarisation or fortification shall be allowed.
• All signatories will have the freedom to carry out scientific investigations, and should share plans for scientific programmes, extend required cooperation, and freely make available the data gathered.
• Nuclear testing or disposal of radioactive waste materials shall be prohibited anywhere in Antarctica.
• Today, the treaty forms the basis of all governance and activities in Antarctica, the fifth-largest continent on the planet.

India in Antarctica

• Since 1983, India has been a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty. In this capacity, India votes and participates in all key decision-making processes regarding Antarctica. Of the 56 nations that are part of the Antarctic Treaty, 29 have consultative party status.
• India has undertaken scientific research in Antarctica since 1981. The first Indian Antarctica research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was set up in 1983, some 2,500 km from the South Pole in Queen Maud Land. The station operated till 1990.
• In 1989, India set up its second Antarctica research station, named Maitri, in the Schirmacher Oasis, a 3-km wide ice-free plateau with over 100 freshwater lakes. It is still operational.
• In 2012, India inaugurated Bharati, its third Antarctica research station, located around 3,000 km east of Maitri, on the Prydz Bay coast. Although the station focuses on oceanographic and geologic study, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) utilises it for receiving Indian Remote sensing Satellite (IRS) data.
• India plans to open a new station, Maitri II, a few kilometres from the ageing Maitri station. Operations are set to begin by 2029.
• In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

Agenda before Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)

• The ATCM is meant to facilitate a global dialogue on law, logistics, governance, science, tourism, and other aspects of the southern continent.
• During the conference, India will seek to promote the idea of peaceful governance in Antarctica, and underline that geopolitical tensions elsewhere in the world should not interfere with the protection of the continent and its resources.
• During the Kochi meet, India will also officially table its plan to construct Maitri II before the members. Any new construction or initiative in Antarctica requires the ATCM’s approval.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Prelims – Science

Context: Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines by number of doses, marked a significant milestone on Monday with the shipment of the first set of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to seven-eight countries in Africa.

Background:

• Close to half-a-million children die of malaria each year in the African region, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

About MALARIA:

• Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Five species of Plasmodium commonly infect humans. The three species associated with more severe cases are P. falciparum (which is responsible for the vast majority of malaria deaths), P. vivax, and P. Knowlesi.
• The disease is widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions that exist in a broad band around the equator.This includes much of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
• Transmission: It is spread exclusively through bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a person, it injects the malaria parasites into their bloodstream.
• Symptoms: Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to organ failure, coma, and death.

Prevention:

• Bed Nets: Insecticide-treated bed nets are effective in preventing mosquito bites during sleep.
• Antimalarial Medications: Prophylactic antimalarial drugs can be taken by travelers to endemic areas.
• Vaccines: Recently, the WHO recommended the R21/Matrix-M vaccine for children, in addition to the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine. These vaccines aim to reduce malaria cases and deaths.
• Treatment: Antimalarial medications, such as artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), are used to treat malaria. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial.

R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine

• The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is a promising addition to malaria prevention efforts. It’s designed to protect against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes the most severe form of malaria.
• Composition: The R21 vaccine contains a protein from the malaria parasite (R21) combined with an adjuvant called Matrix-M. The adjuvant enhances the immune response.
• Clinical Trials: Clinical trials have shown that the R21/Matrix-M vaccine provides significant protection against malaria. It reduced the risk of symptomatic malaria by 75% in children during the 12 months following vaccination.
• Age Group: The vaccine is recommended for children aged 5 months and older.
• Dosing Schedule: The vaccine is administered in a three-dose series, with the first two doses given one month apart and the third dose six months after the second.
• Implementation: The WHO’s recommendation aims to accelerate the vaccine’s deployment in malaria-endemic regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.
• The low-cost, high-efficacy R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine was developed by the University of Oxford and SII leveraging Novavax’s adjuvant technology.
• R21//Matrix-M vaccine is the second malaria vaccine to be authorised for use in children in malaria-endemic regions.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – G S 2

Context: In a recent development, Malaysia, the world’s second-largest palm oil producer is aiming to improve its environmental image by putting forward the “orangutan diplomacy”.

Background:

• Malaysia plans to give orangutans to the countries that purchase their palm oil. This gesture aims to show Malaysia’s concern for the endangered apes, whose habitats are often destroyed by palm oil plantations. Inspired by China’s “panda diplomacy,” Malaysia hopes this move will ease global concerns about the environmental impact of palm oil production.

About ANIMAL DIPLOMACY:

• Animal diplomacy involves giving or lending animals as a sign of friendship or goodwill between countries.
• These creatures possess cultural significance or are indigenous to the country that gifts them, hence making them influential instruments for diplomacy.
• For example, China’s panda diplomacy can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty when emperors gave away pandas to foreign rulers as symbols of peace and cooperation. Consequently, the receiving state usually agrees to protect such species beside this thereby furthering harmonisation between nations.

Why is China famous for its animal diplomacy?

• Animal diplomacy originated from China back then and it was majorly associated with the giant panda. This was when they started giving these cute animals to other countries during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). China has retained giving them away as gifts which are deemed to symbolise peace and friendship.
• In November 2023, after a key meeting held between President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden, signs emerged of a significant diplomatic move: the revival of China’s famed panda diplomacy. Mr. Xi hinted at the possibility of resuming panda exchanges with the United States, marking a potential thaw in bilateral relations.
• China is gearing up to renew its panda diplomacy efforts.Discussions are ongoing with zoos in Washington D.C. and Vienna, Austria, signalling broader outreach in China’s diplomatic animal exchange programme.

What is the orangutan diplomacy in Malaysia?

• Following the Chinese model of “panda diplomacy,” Malaysia has come up with its own approach to the soft power which it describes as “orangutan diplomacy.” The goal of this strategy is to link other countries together by using orangutan conservation efforts for environmental issues.
• Malaysia, the second largest producer of palm oil in the world, receives criticism due to deforestation caused by palm oil plantations that are a major threat to endangered orangutans. Orangutan diplomacy seeks to reverse this trend.
• In an attempt to project itself as a pacesetter on wildlife protection, Malaysia aims to meet at least three objectives: It wants to enhance its image by becoming a champion of various things connected with wild animal protection; it wants to encourage sustainable production of palm oil and it wants to work jointly with other countries on saving orangutans.
• This plan suggests allocating orangutans to main importers of palm oil like China, India and the EU. This approach therefore rests upon two basic factors: its endearing character and symbolic significance as to how orangutans represent the rich biodiversity of Malaysia’s rainforests, highlighting the environmental damage caused by unsustainable practices.

Which other countries are involved?

• In the year 2014, during G20 Summit, a different kind of diplomacy took place.As the summit’s host nation, Australia ensured that it left a lasting impression on the visiting dignitaries and delegates by deploying its irresistible attraction; koalas.
• Throughout the conference period, there was a flood of images showing leaders from across the world holding koalas.
• However, koala diplomacy can be considered more than just an opportunity for photo shoots. It functioned as an instrumentality for power projection through soft means. By flaunting its unique wildlife coupled with environmental policies, which are globally oriented, this country revealed its solidarity in any worldwide partnership on environmental matters.
• The koala’s presence at the G20 summit has sparked debates about conservation of biodiversity and the need to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems.
• Ultimately, the 2014 G20 Summit was a practical example that proved how animal ambassadors can change international relations towards sustainable development and cooperation.

What the future might hold?

• There are prospects for future collaboration and cooperation between countries in animal diplomacy that can rise above the traditional geopolitical borders with a purpose to protect nature and enhance international understanding.
• Nations could work together on conservation projects related to their ambassador animals. This brings about a shared responsibility for the welfare of the creatures and strengthens the diplomatic bonds formed around them.
• It is not only traditional players who can use animal diplomacy. Smaller countries having unique endangered species can use this method as well. For example, a poor country having critically endangered primates may collaborate with richer ones’ zoos so as to create breeding programs and research, which will help educate people internationally.
• Animal diplomacy has the potential to move beyond feel-good tactics by focusing on collaborative efforts in conservation while at the same time allowing room for new players thus becoming an instrument of fostering international cooperation on pressing environmental concerns.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3

Context:  The current outbreak of H5N1 was a disaster waiting to happen, as experts have been sounding alarm bells on the unsafe conditions at industrial livestock production for more than 10 years now.

Background:

• According to the20th Livestock Census, there are 851.8 million poultry birds in India. About 30% of this is ‘backyard poultry’ or small and marginal farmers. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam and Kerala have the highest poultry populations.

Issues faced by the Indian Poultry Industry:

• Regular outbreaks of Avian Influenza (bird flu) disrupt production, lead to the culling of birds, and create market panic, impacting consumption.
• Newcastle Disease (ND) is another highly contagious viral disease that affects poultry health and productivity.
• Inadequate biosecurity measures in farms and live bird markets facilitate the spread of diseases. Chickens in industrial settings are often confined in wired cages, known as ‘battery cages,’ in high densities, leading to overcrowding and stress. This practice leads to poor air quality, waste accumulation, and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental pollution and degradation.
• Volatile prices of crucial poultry feed ingredients, such as corn and soybean meal, not only affect production costs but also exacerbate import dependence due to their significant reliance on imports.
• Rumours and misinformation surrounding poultry products during disease outbreaks can drastically reduce consumption, affecting overall market stability.
• Limited cold chain infrastructure leads to spoilage and wastage, especially during peak production periods.
• A fragmented supply chain with multiple intermediaries raises transaction costs and lowers farmer profits, while poor transportation infrastructure hampers product movement, affecting delivery times and freshness.
• Multiple overlapping regulations across different levels of government create confusion and compliance challenges for poultry farmers.
• Small and medium-scale poultry farmers often struggle to access formal credit, hindering growth and modernization.
• Finding and retaining skilled labour can be difficult for poultry farms, impacting operational efficiency.
• Poultry farming can contribute to water pollution and air quality issues if waste management practices are inadequate. The rising demand for protein has led to increased antibiotic use in poultry farming, raising concerns about antibiotic resistance and public health risks.
• Ensuring proper animal welfare standards across the industry remains a challenge.
• Poultry farmers often face challenges in exiting the industry due to contract farming arrangements, accumulated debts, and specialised skills required for the sector.

Initiatives for the Poultry Industry:

• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing the Poultry Venture Capital Fund (PVCF) under “Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation” (EDEG) of the National Livestock Mission.
• Different programmes under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) in which financial assistance is provided to States/Union Territories to implement Rural Backyard Poultry Development (RBPD) and Innovative Poultry Productivity Project (IPPP).
• Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) Scheme under “Livestock Health and Disease Control” (LH&DC) which covers the vaccination of economically important poultry diseases viz., Ranikhet Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Fowl Pox, etc., including control and containment of emergent and exotic diseases like Avian Influenza.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been rocked by deadly violence in the past few days, leaving at least four dead and over 100 injured in clashes over the soaring prices of essential goods like wheat flour, fuel, and electricity.Pakistan’s economic crisis and high inflation have resulted in hardships for its people, and a section of traders have been additionally hit by the stopping of trade with India.

Background:

• The recent wave of unrest began on May 10 after the overnight arrest of several leaders of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which had planned a “long march” to Muzaffarabad on May 11. The crackdown sparked widespread outrage, prompting thousands to take to the streets.

About the issue

• Activists and politicians from PoK have long accused Islamabad of “serious discrimination,” protesting against heavy cuts in budgetary grants, imposition of “unjust” taxes on electricity bills, rise in inflation, shortage of wheat, load shedding and not considering locals for jobs.
• Dawn reported on complaints by the region’s premier Chaudhry Anwarul Haq about not receiving their fair share of the 2,600MW of hydropower produced by the Neelum-Jhelum project.
• Haq has also said that his request for resources to increase salaries of government employees in the recent budget was not accepted, and that he had been forced to divert development funds to pay them.

Collapse of India trade

• Traders in PoK were hit hard after India raised customs duty to 200% on Pakistani products such as dry dates, rock salt, cement, and gypsum following the Pulwama terror attack of February 2019.
• As a result, Pakistan’s exports to India fell from an average of $45 million per month in 2018 to only $2.5 million per month between March and July 2019, Dawn reported.
• The situation was made more difficult after Pakistan stopped all trade following the constitutional changes carried out by India in Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
• India-Pakistan trade has shrunk to a low of about $2 billion annually over the last five years, a small fraction of the $37 billion trade potential estimated by the World Bank.

Source: Hindu & Indian Express

Q1.) Consider the following statements about Antarctic Treaty

1. India was one among the original signatories to the Antarctic Treaty in 1959.
2. According to the treaty, nuclear testing or disposal of radioactive waste materials is prohibited anywhere in Antarctica.

Which among the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Q2.) Consider the following statements about Malaria:

1. Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium
2. It is spread exclusively through bites of infected male Anopheles mosquitoes.

Which among the statements given above is/are incorrect?

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

Q3.) Humboldt glacier, recently heard in news, was located in

1. Venezuela
2. Australia
3. Malaysia
4. China

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

ANSWERS FOR ’  22nd  May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – c

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – d