UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 11th April 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Why in News?

The Earth4All modelling team published their predictions about the world’s human population in the form of a report.

About

• The word 'population bomb' signifies a grim scenario that warns of perils of overpopulation like mass starvation and environmental deterioration.
• In the new Earth4All Initiative report, the researchers set aside population-modelling approaches adopted by the U.N., the Wittgenstein Centre, The Lancet, and integrated assessment models.
• In the Earth4All model, birth rates are explicitly and causally modelled as a function of GDP per person, depicting a negative correlation between income and fertility rate.

Findings of the Report

The researchers advance two scenarios:

• The first, called “Too Little, Too Late”, predicts that if economic development continues as it has in the last five decades, the world’s population would peak at 8.6 billion in 2050, roughly 25 years from now, and decline to 7 billion by 2100.
• In the second scenario, called “The Giant Leap”, the researchers conclude that the population will peak at 8.5 billion by 2040 – a decade sooner than 2050 – but then rapidly decline to around 6 billion by 2100. This will be due to our investments in poverty alleviation, gender equity, education and health, ameliorating inequality, and food and energy security. 
• These population predictions are more optimistic than the kind of historic fear mongering and regressive development policies engendered by the ‘population bomb’ metaphor. 
• Population alone was never the problem for sustainability, nor will it be for the climate crisis rather a declining population alone won’t address the issues surrounding the climate crisis.

Comparison with other Reports

• The Earth4All report  contradicted the U.N. ‘World Populations Prospects 2022’ report, which predicted that the global population would steadily rise to 10.4 billion in 2080 and then stabilise around that number in 2100.
• The contradictions between the U.N. report and the Earth4All 2023 report are helpful because they allow us to imagine and address the conditions proposed by different studies. They also inform scholarship, activism, and policies that safeguard women’s health and well-being in all possible scenarios.

Population Growth and Related issues

• Large population will require the unflinching focus of policymakers on areas fundamental to human well-being — education, nutrition, healthcare, housing, and employment. 
• Rapid population growth can make challenges of hunger and poverty steeper. 
• Rapid population growth makes eradicating poverty, combating hunger and malnutrition, and increasing the coverage of health and education systems more difficult.
• Will need policies to increase jobs so that labour force participation rate increases for both men and women.

Indian Scenario

• As of 2022, more than half the world’s population lives in Asia, China and India being the two most populous countries with more than 1.4 billion people each.
• According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), while India’s population growth is stablising, it is “still growing at 0.7% per year” and is set to surpass China in 2023 as the world’s most populous country.
• UNFPA has noted that India has its largest ever adolescent and youth population. 
• According to UNFPA projections, India will continue to have one of the youngest populations in the world till 2030 and is currently experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, a “youth bulge” that will last till 2025.

Steps taken by India for Stabilising Population

• Mission ParivarVikas: For substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services in146 high fertility districts with Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 3 and above in seven high focus states. 
• Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors: Under the scheme MoHFW provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider (& team) for conducting sterilizations.
• Clinical Outreach Teams (COT) Scheme: The scheme has been launched in 146 Mission Parivar Vikas districts for providing Family planning services through mobile teams from accredited organizations in far-flung, underserved and geographically difficult areas.
• Scheme for Home delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries. Scheme for ASHAs to Ensure spacing in births.
• Family Planning Logistic Management and Information System (FP-LMIS): A dedicated software to ensure smooth forecasting, procurement and distribution of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.
• National Family Planning Indemnity Scheme (NFPIS) under which clients are insured in the eventualities of death, complication and failure following sterilization.
• Ensuring quality of care in Family Planning services by establishing Quality Assurance Committees in all states and districts.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Why in News?

Finland has become the 31st member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its decision to join the alliance should be viewed through the lens of conventional deterrence. The accession of Finland into NATO is a rational choice that may provide additional security guarantees and help to defend against possible aggression from Russia.

Historical context of Finland-Russia relations

• The relationship between Finland and Russia has been a combination of struggle and compromise, dating back nearly 200 years.
• In 1809, the Russian Tsar Alexander I acquired Finland and made it an autonomous Grand Duchy of the Russian empire.
• Between the two world wars, the Finns felt less threatened by Germany than by Russia.

Finland’s decision to join NATO

• 31st NATO member: Finland has become the 31st member of NATO, triggering possible countermeasures from Russia.
• Independent choice: The decision to join NATO is seen as an independent choice, triggered largely by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Security guarantee: Finland’s accession to NATO is a rational choice to receive additional security guarantees from the alliance. Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty binds the members together, committing them to protect each other and setting a spirit of solidarity within the alliance.

Preparations for defense against possible aggression

• Defence against possible aggression: Even prior to its membership in NATO, Finland had been preparing to defend itself against possible aggression.
• The Finnish system of conscription has generated sufficient resources for the army, navy, and air force to act effectively in a war situation.

Implications for India and the Arctic region

• Real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region: Finland has maintained a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its inclusion in NATO adds real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region.
• High north is commercial attraction: As the Arctic ice cap melts amidst global warming, the high north has become attractive commercially and contested geopolitically.
• India is an observer of the Arctic Council: India is an observer of the Arctic Council that seeks to promote wide-ranging cooperation in the polar north.
• China raising profile in the Arctic: The militarisation of the high north appears inevitable as Finland and Sweden turn from neutrals to Western allies and China raises its profile in the Arctic in partnership with Russia.
• Global governance: This might make global governance of the Arctic region increasingly problematic

Way ahead: The need for cautious behavior by NATO and Russia

• Both NATO and Russia should exercise cautious behavior vis-à-vis each other to avoid further escalation of tensions.
• Finland’s newly elected centre-right government should engage in bilateral dialogue with Russia, trying to understand each other’s security concerns.
• There should be at least some NATO members who would be willing to rely more on diplomatic tools and lower the temperatures.

Conclusion

The decision of Finland to join NATO is seen as a rational choice, triggered largely by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The accession of Finland into NATO should be viewed through the lens of conventional deterrence and could potentially persuade an adversary not to initiate a war. NATO and Russia should search for ways to lower the tensions and avoid implementing measures and imposing countermeasures.

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

To commemorate 50 years of Project Tiger,  the Prime Minister  launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) for conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma harbouring our planet.

• The PM also released the summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle). He also released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger. 

Key Points of PM Speech

• India has only 2.4 percent of the world’s land area but it contributes toward 8 percent to known global biodiversity.  India is the largest tiger range country in the world, the largest Asiatic elephant range country in the world with nearly thirty thousand elephants, and also the largest single-horn rhino country with a population of nearly three thousand.
• India is a country where protecting nature is a part of the culture. The Prime Minister emphasized that India has not only saved the tiger population from declining but also provided an ecosystem where tigers can flourish. 
• The tiger reserves in India cover 75,000 square kilometers of land and in the past ten to twelve years, the tiger population in the country has increased by 75 percent.  
• India does not believe in the conflict between ecology and economy, and gives equal importance to the coexistence of both.
• Recalling the importance of tigers in the history of India, the Prime Minister mentioned that  the Bharia community from Central India and Worli community from Maharashtra among others worship the tiger.
• The Prime Minister reiterated that the success of Project Tiger has many dimensions and it has led to an increase in tourist activity, awareness programs and a reduction in Man-Animal conflicts in Tiger Reserves. The presence of big cats has made a positive impact on the lives and ecology of the local people everywhere.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• In July 2019, the Prime Minister called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to obliterate demand and firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
• In this regard, the International Big Cats Alliance is being launched which will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world.
• The alliance aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of Tiger, Lion, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah. IBCA would further strengthen global cooperation and efforts to conserve the wild denizens, especially the big cats.

Significance of the Alliance

• The alliance seeks to bring together countries, conservationists, and experts from around the world to collaborate on conservation efforts for these seven big cat species.
• Through IBCA, India hopes to share knowledge, expertise, and best practices in conserving these species with other countries that have significant big cat populations, such as Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa.
• The alliance also aims to facilitate collaborations between governments, NGOs, and the private sector to create sustainable solutions for conservation.

What are the ‘big seven cats’?

• Cat Family and Genus:
  • The Family of Cats (Felidae) comprises three genus: (1) Panthera, (2) Puma, and (3) Acinonyx.
  • Panthera: This is the genus of large wild cats that can generally roar, but can’t purr. It includes Lion, Leopard, Jaguar, Tiger and snow leopard. The snow leopard is an exception to the rest of the group in that it can’t roar.
  • Puma: Closely related to the domestic cat, this genus has only one extant species, the cougar.
  • Acinonyx: This is a unique genus within the cat family, with only one living member, the cheetah.
• Tiger (Panthera Tigris)
  • Status: Endangered
  • Tiger is the largest of all wild cats and also the earliest Panthera member to exist.  Primarily a forest animal, they range from the Siberian taiga to the Sunderban delta. 
  • It is the national animal of India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and South Korea.
  • Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme launched in 1973 by the Government of India. It is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
• Lion (Panthera Leo)
  • Status: Vulnerable.
  • Native to Africa and Asia, the lion is the most social cat, and lives in groups called prides. 
  • They prefer open forests such as scrubland, and adult males have a prominent mane. 
  • Range of Asiatic lion is restricted to Gir National Park of Gujarat.
  • The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka erected by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Sarnath.
• Jaguar (Panthera Onca)
  • Status: Near Threatened
  • The largest cat in the Americas, the Jaguar has the strongest bite force of all wild cats, enabling it to bite directly through the skull of its prey. 
  • Melanistic (black) Jaguars are common and are often called black panthers. 
• Leopard (Panthera Pardus)
  • Status: Vulnerable
  • It is similar in appearance to the Jaguar with a rosette patterned coat. 
  • The most adaptable of all big cats, they occupy diverse habitats at all altitudes across Africa and Asia. 
  • Like black jaguars, melanistic leopards are called black panthers. 
• Snow leopard (Panthera Uncia)
  • Status: Vulnerable
  • This smokey-grey cat lives above the snow line in Central and South Asia. 
  • Of all big cats, it cannot roar, and has the longest tail of them all — which comes in handy for balance while hunting along the cliffs, and also gives warmth when wrapped around the body. 
  • The snow leopard is the state animal of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
• Cougar (Puma concolor)
  • Status: Least Concern
  • The cougar is the second-largest cat in the Americas. (The Jaguar is the largest.) 
  • Cougars are also called ‘mountain lion’ and ‘panther’ across their range from the Canadian Yukon to the Southern Andes. 
• Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
  • Status: Vulnerable
  • The fastest land mammal, the cheetah is the only cat without retractable claws — the grip helps it accelerate faster than any sports car (0-100 km/hr in 3 seconds). 
  • Cheetahs are not aggressive towards humans, and they have been tamed since the ancient era. 
  • They don’t breed well in captivity.
  • Cheetahs are not really big, and they hunt during the day to avoid competing with other big cats. 

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The India-U.S. relationship will be crucial in the next six months with engagements set to happen between the two countries on various forums like the G20, Quad, and I2U2.

Divergence and Convergence

• The appointment of Eric Garcetti as the U.S. Ambassador to India signals the potential for greater partnership, but there are also differences to be overcome.
  • The U.S. may want India to change its stance on the Ukraine crisis.
  • India may want a stronger position against China.
• However, the two countries share strong areas of convergence such as
  • The India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology and
  • The Indo-Pacific partnership aimed at promoting security, economic growth, and connectivity in the region.

What is I2U2?

• In July 2022, India, Israel, the United States (US), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a hybrid summit announced the establishment of a new minilateral grouping called the I2U2.
• The four countries envision their alliance as an ad-hoc, informal, issue-specific and geoeconomic initiative.

Realignment of U.S. Supply Chains

• Disrupted supply chains: In recent years, there has been growing interest in diversifying supply chains away from China due to geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and concerns about over-reliance on a single country.
• India is emerging as attractive destination: India’s growing consumer market makes it an attractive destination for U.S. businesses looking to expand their customer base.

Ups and Downs in India-U.S. relationship

• The India-U.S. relationship has had its ups and downs over time, with key moments such as the nuclear deal, liberalisation of markets, and the outsourcing of Indian techies for U.S. companies.
• The U.S. has also played an important role in making India an IT superpower.
• The two countries are also partners in combating climate change and aligned on the importance of space technology.

Trust Deficit

• In the past, there has been a trust deficit between India and the U.S., with Indians feeling that the U.S. has not always supported India and has instead supported Pakistan.
• The U.S. has flagged issues related to terrorism, human rights, and democracy in India. However, the two countries can become stronger together by building on their strategic partnership.

Conclusion

• The next six months will be critical for India-U.S. ties, with both countries looking to enhance collaboration and partnership. While there are differences in opinions to be addressed, the two countries also share strong areas of convergence that can be leveraged to strengthen their strategic partnership.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Why in News?

Recent studies show that radhuni seeds can relax the gut and airways and improve digestion

About Radhuni or wild celery (Trachyspermum roxburghianum):-

• Radhuni is a popular spice in Bengali cuisine used abundantly in West Bengal.
• Its scientific name is Trachyspermum roxburghianum.
• It is not a plant seed but rather dried fruits.
• It is called ajmod in Hindi, asamtavomam in Tamil and ayamodakam in Malayalam.
• It belongs to the family of cumin and fennel fruits, known as
• Distribution: South Asia, South East Asia, and Indonesia.
• In some nations, these are employed as herbal medicines.
• It is usually consumed as part of panch phoron, a blend of five tempering spices traditionally used in Eastern Indian cuisine.

Health benefits of Radhuni masala:-

• This spice is supposed to aid in our bodies’ detoxification.
• Menstrual cramp reduction is another benefit.
• It is also traditionally used to treat coughs and colds, asthma, digestive issues, etc.
• It also aids in the management of inflammation and pain.

Use of radhuni masala:-

• In Bengal, radhuni is a widely used
• It is employed to temper dal.
• The lentil dish masoor dal with radhuni phoron , Shukto in bengal is prepared using radhuni masala.

Source: DownToEarth

Why in News?

The Indian-American statistician Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao has been awarded the 2023 International Prize in Statistics.

About the Prize

• It was established in 2016 and is awarded once every two years to an individual or team for major achievements using statistics to advance science, technology and human welfare.
• It is considered equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the field of statistics.
• The ultimate goal of the International Prize in Statistics is to enhance public understanding of the depth and scope of statistics.
• It is managed by the five major statistical organizations: the American Statistical Association; Institute of Mathematical Statistics; International Biometric Society; International Statistical Institute; and Royal Statistical Society.

Work by Radhakrishna Rao

• In his 1945 paper published in the Bulletin of the Calcutta Mathematical Society, he demonstrated three fundamental results that paved the way for the modern field of statistics and provided statistical tools heavily used in science.
• The Cramér-Rao inequality is the first of the three results of the 1945 paper with applications even in quantum physics, signal processing, spectroscopy, radar systems, multiple-image radiography, risk analysis, and probability theory, among other fields.
• The second outcome was the Rao-Blackwell Theorem, which offers a method to improve an estimate to an optimal estimate.
• A new interdisciplinary area called ‘information geometry’ was born as a result of the paper’s third finding.

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Recently, a plant fungus infected a researcher in Kolkata.

About Chondrostereum purpureum:-

• Chondrostereum purpureum is a plant fungus.
• It causes silver leaf disease in plants, especially in species of rose families.
  • The silver leaf disease can be detrimental to the growth and health of plants, and can also cause economic losses for farmers.
• Human beings having compromised immune system are most susceptible to fungal infection.
• The recent case of Chondrostereum purpureum infection in a man is due to:-
  • Rising temperature due to global warming.
  • Many species of fungi are thermotolerant and can withstand high temperatures.

Source: The Hindu