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Aug 22, 2023

[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 29 August 2023

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

GS Paper 2:

GS Paper 3:

Content for Mains Enrichment

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Syllabus: Geography/ Disaster Management

Source: IE

Context: Reckless urbanization near riverbeds is a key factor in recent floods in Punjab. Experts from the National Institute of Hydrology emphasize the need for floodplain zoning plans as a long-term solution to mitigate flood losses.

What is Flood Plain Zoning?

Floodplain zoning is a land use planning strategy that designates specific areas along rivers and water bodies for various uses based on their susceptibility to flooding.

Aim: The aim of floodplain zoning is to regulate development in these areas to minimize the potential damage and risks associated with floods.

Example of floodplain zoning:

The areas along the river are divided into different zones based on the likelihood and severity of flooding:

Different aspects of Flood Plain Zoning:

States have shown resistance to implementing floodplain management, including potential legislation, primarily due to population pressure and the lack of alternative livelihoods.

NDMA guidelines:

As per guidelines on floodplain zoning by the National Disaster Management Authority, defence installations, industries, and public utilities like hospitals, electricity installations, water supply, telephone exchanges, aerodromes, railway stations, commercial centres, etc. should be located such that they are above the levels corresponding to a 100-year frequency or the maximum observed flood levels.

NGT direction:

According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), there should be no construction within a 500 m area from the central lining of a river.

Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning:

The Model Bill for Flood Plain Zoning outlines provisions for flood zoning authorities, surveys, delineation of flood plain areas, notification of limits, prohibition of flood plain use, compensation, and crucially, removal of obstructions for unimpeded water flow. It proposes replacing low-lying settlements with parks and playgrounds to reduce the loss of life and property.

Mains Links:

What is floodplain? What is its ecological significance? Floodplains of some of India’s rivers are said to be under severe pressure from various anthropogenic activities. Examine these activities and their impact on floodplains. (15M)

Syllabus: Government policies and intervention

Source: PIB

Context: The government is celebrating 9 years of completion of Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in revolutionizing financial inclusion in India.

What is financial inclusion?

It is ensuring access to financial services and credit for vulnerable groups at an affordable cost. In India, it’s vital for development and progress. Access to a transaction account is a key step, allowing storage, payments, and transfers, acting as a gateway to broader financial services.

What is PMJDY?

The PMJDY, the world’s largest financial inclusion mission, reached a significant milestone by surpassing 500 million accounts after nine years since its launch.

About the scheme:

Key Successes of PMJDY:

· Crossed 500 million accounts

· Over ₹2 lakh crore deposit

Conclusion:

Efforts are being made to provide micro-insurance coverage to PMJDY account holders, with eligible individuals being targeted for inclusion in schemes like PMJJBY and PMSBY. To facilitate this, acceptance infrastructure is being established across the country. Moreover, steps are being taken to enhance the access of PMJDY account holders to micro-credit and micro-investment options such as flexi-recurring deposits.

Insta Links:

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

Mains Links:

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing the unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for the financial inclusion of the poorer section of Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. ( UPSC 2016)

Prelims Links:

‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for (UPSC 2015)

(a) providing housing loans to poor people at cheaper interest rates(b) promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas(c) promoting financial inclusion in the country(d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities

Ans: (c)

Syllabus: Science and Technology: Space

Source: HT, IE

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the Aditya-L1 solar mission on September 2, 2023.

More about the news:

We already discussed Aditya-L1 a few days back in our FFP. Here we will analyse its significance.

Other Solar Missions by Different Countries:

· Solar Orbiter (February 2020): Explores the Sun’s changing space environment

· Yohkoh (SOLAR-A, 1991): Studied solar activity

· Hinode (SOLAR-B, 2006): Studied the Sun’s impact on Earth.

· Proba-2 (October 2001): Part of solar exploratory missions.

· Upcoming: Proba-3 (2024), Smile (2025)

The Aditya-L1 mission by ISRO holds significant importance for India due to its focus on studying the Sun and the solar corona. This mission aims to achieve the following:

Insta Links:

Aditya-L1

Mains Links:

Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? (UPSC 2016)

Prelims Links: (UPSC 2013)

Consider the following phenomena:

Which of the above are optical illusions?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only

(b) 3, 4 and 5 only

(c) 1, 2 and 4 only

(d) 2, 3 and 5 only

Source: IE

In Canada, a well-constructed fire prevention zone established by a local Indigenous logging company proved crucial in safeguarding a community from a threatening wildfire.

Fire prevention zones are designated areas meticulously managed to mitigate the risk of wildfire spread and associated damage.

The Indigenous logging company, Ntityix Development, employed traditional Indigenous forestry practices to craft the fire prevention zone. These practices encompassed activities such as forest thinning, clearing debris from the ground, and controlled burning of debris and ground cover. This approach aimed to curtail the availability of fuel for wildfires.

Usage: The example can be used in disaster management Questions. It underscores the significance of proactive initiatives such as fire prevention zones, especially as climate change intensifies wildfire seasons.

Source: TH

Hyderabad is embracing a sustainable shift towards cycling, with the introduction of an innovative solar roof cycling track (23 KM long) near the city’s Outer Ring Road (ORR).

The track encompasses three lanes and consists of two segments. Distinguished by its 16MW solar panels fixed on the roof, this project sets an impressive sustainability precedent.

Usage: The example can be used in governance/disaster management/ environment Questions.

Source: TH

In Assam’s Udalguri district, efforts are underway to secure a significant elephant habitat and reduce human-elephant conflicts. This initiative involves planting 25,000 saplings of native tree species, including Amla and bel, both crucial for elephants’ diets. The project spans a 100-hectare habitat within the Rowta Reserve Forest, situated in proximity to Bhutan’s border.

The chosen tree species, such as gamhari, jamun, bhumura, arjun, elephant apple, and khair, are studied to be essential components of elephants’ diets.

Furthermore, to promote human-elephant coexistence, alternative livelihood opportunities have been provided to communities impacted by conflicts with elephants. Training in poultry farming has been extended to villagers, particularly women, across the Garo Hills region.

Usage: This holistic approach underscores the importance of restoring natural habitats, ensuring biodiversity, and fostering harmonious relationships between humans and wildlife. The example can be used in Environment conservation Questions.

Source: PIB

Context: The SVAMITVA Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, has been awarded the prestigious National Award for e-Governance 2023 (Gold) for its innovative use of emerging technologies to provide citizen-centric services.

Benefits:

The collaborative effort involves the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Survey of India, State Revenue and Panchayati Raj Departments, and NIC-GIS.

Source: PIB

Context: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has released the 6th census report on minor irrigation (MI) schemes, providing crucial data for effective planning and policy-making in this sector.

Key Highlights:

Source: PIB

Context: The Prime Minister visited the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru and addressed the ISRO team about the success of Chandrayaan-3.

Key Highlights from PM speech:

He emphasized the role of space technology in governance, linking it to initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, education, healthcare, and disaster management. He encouraged ISRO to organize hackathons on ‘Space Technology in Governance’ to make governance more effective.

Source: Hindustan Times

Context: The ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter spacecraft has identified numerous small jets of material emanating from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, lasting for 20 to 100 seconds and expelling plasma at speeds around 100 km/s.

These observations shed light on how and where the solar wind is generated, a longstanding challenge in solar research. The jets are associated with plasma ejections from the solar atmosphere, and their discovery suggests that the solar wind may originate from intermittent, highly energetic outflows rather than just a steady flow.

Source: IUCN

Context: The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP) has launched a Call for Concept Notes for Phase IV of the Tiger Programme, aiming to further protect big cats and their environments.

The ITHCP’s success in increasing tiger populations by 40% since 2015 highlights the effectiveness of such initiatives. This phase signifies a vital step towards safeguarding diverse species, their habitats, and surrounding communities.

About ITHCP:

ITHCP, launched in 2014, is a strategic funding mechanism supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Source: PIB

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the B20 Summit India 2023, highlighting various aspects related to business, sustainability, and global cooperation.

Other Key points:

Source: IE

Why disappearance of sea ice cause catastrophic breeding failure of emperor penguins?

Emperor penguins’ breeding cycle heavily relies on stable sea ice, where they spend their entire breeding cycle. The sea ice, present from April to December, provides the necessary platform for their breeding and fledging activities (the stage in the development of young birds when they acquire the feathers and abilities necessary for flight.).

As a result of the loss of sea ice, the penguin chicks were unable to develop their waterproof adult wings and regulate their body temperature. This led to their vulnerability to drowning or freezing to death.

While emperor penguins usually adapt to localized ice loss by moving to stable sites, the extensive shrinking of sea ice extent makes this strategy unfeasible.

This incident marked the first recorded instance of widespread breeding failure of emperor penguins across multiple colonies due to sea ice loss.

Source: Business Standard

Context: The Chinese navy is reportedly testing an advanced coil gun, an electromagnetic weapon that can launch high-speed projectiles with exceptional velocity.

The technology involves a series of energized coils along the barrel of the gun that generate a magnetic field to propel the projectile forward without touching the barrel’s walls. This approach prevents wear on components and enables repeated firings. Despite the technology’s existence for decades, challenges in materials science have limited the development of powerful coil gun models.

Source: PIB

Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23: An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has departed to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23, a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise scheduled to take place at Cairo (West) Air Base, Egypt, from August 27 to September 16, 2023.

This marks the first time that the IAF is participating in Ex BRIGHT STAR-23, joining contingents from the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece, and Qatar.

Other exercises between India and Egypt: Exercise Cyclone-I: It Is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army. The first edition of the exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in January 2023.

Also in the News:

AUSINDEX-23 is a biennial maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy

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