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

Drop in India's Reservoir Water Levels

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

India, a country heavily reliant on monsoon rains, faced a significant challenge in August 2023 with an unprecedented rainfall deficit.

• As a result, the water levels in the nation's crucial reservoirs have experienced a sharp decline, raising concerns about water supply for households, industries, and power generation.
• August is typically a month when India's reservoirs see their water storage levels increase significantly. However, August 2023 was an exception, as it marked the driest August in over 120 years. Instead of the expected 255 mm of rainfall, the country received only about 162 mm, resulting in a 36% rainfall deficiency.

How Dry are India’s Reservoirs?

• According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the live storage in the 150 reservoirs was 113.417 billion cubic meters (BCM) as of 31^st August, 2023, which was 63% of their total live storage capacity.
• This was about 23% less than the storage during the same period in 2022 and about 10% less than the average of the last 10 years.
• The water levels in the reservoirs varied across different regions and river basins. The southern region, which had a rainfall deficiency of 60% in August, had the lowest storage level of 49% of its combined capacity.
• The eastern region, which received normal rainfall, had the highest storage level of 82% of its combined capacity.
• Some of the river basins that had highly deficient or deficient water levels were:
• Highly Deficient:
  • Pennar basin in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
  • Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh and Odisha
• Deficient:
  • Subarnarekha, Brahmani and Vaitarni basins in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha
  • Kaveri basin in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
  • Mahi basin in western India
  • Krishna basin in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana
  • Water storage in the reservoirs of the eastern, western, central and southern regions, except the northern region is less than last year (2022).

What Are the Consequences of this Water Scarcity?

• Agriculture:
  • The reservoirs provide irrigation water for crops, especially during the rabi season. The reduced water availability can affect crop production and farmers’ incomes.
• Power:
  • The reservoirs also supply water for hydropower generation, which accounts for over 12% of India’s total electricity generation.
  • The dry August led to an unexpected increase in power demand, primarily for irrigation purposes.
  • Power generation reached a record high in August, necessitating additional electricity production by coal-fired power plants due to the precarious water levels in the reservoirs.
• Environment:
  • The reservoirs also support biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as flood control, groundwater recharge, fisheries and recreation. The lower water levels can affect these functions and cause ecological damage.
• Impact on Water Supply:
  • India's annual rainfall primarily occurs during the southwest monsoon season, making these reservoirs vital for water supply year-round. This scarcity in water storage threatens households.

What are the Causes for the Rainfall Deficit?

• El Niño:
  • El Niño is a climatic phenomenon that occurs when the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean rises above normal.
  • It affects the global weather patterns and reduces rainfall in India during the monsoon season.
  • According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), El Niño was present during August 2023 and was expected to continue till September.
  • The IMD has forecasted that rainfall in September will likely not be more than 10% deficient.
  • However, the looming threat of El Niño in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which is still gaining strength, poses a significant risk to India's water resources.
• Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD):
  • The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is defined by the difference in sea surface temperature between two areas (or poles, hence a dipole) – a western pole in the Arabian Sea (western Indian Ocean) and an eastern pole in the eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia.
  • The IOD affects the climate of Australia and other countries that surround the Indian Ocean Basin, and is a significant contributor to rainfall variability in this region.
  • According to IMD, IOD was expected to turn favourable for the monsoon rainfall this year, but did not have much impact.

Way Forward

• Promote efficient water management practices in agriculture, including the adoption of drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting techniques.
• Encourage crop diversification and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops to reduce the reliance on water-intensive farming.
• Water innovation initiatives, such as desalination, wastewater treatment, smart water technologies, and climate-resilient agriculture, can help enhance water supply and efficiency and cope with water challenges and uncertainties.
• Invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce the dependency on hydropower generation, especially during dry periods.
• Raise awareness among the public about responsible water usage and the importance of conservation.

Source: The Hindu

Konark Temple wheel

Source: Art and Culture

Why in News?

A replica of Konark Wheel from the Sun temple in Odisha's Puri served as the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welcome handshake with G20 leaders as they arrived at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam on Saturday.

• The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I.
• The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into India's national flag embodies India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.
• The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel symbolises time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change.
• It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

 Key facts about Konark Sun temple

• It is located on the eastern shores of the India.
• It is the culmination of Kalingan temple architecture, with all its defining elements in complete and perfect form
• It was built in 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (r. 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• The temple in its present state was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1984.
• The word 'Konark' is a combination of two Sanskrit words kona (corner or angle) and arka (the sun).
• It thus implies that the main deity was the sun god, and the temple was built in an angular format.
• The temple follows the Kalinga or Orissa style of architecture, which is a subset of the nagara style of Hindu temple architecture. 

 Source: Business Line

Deadly Earthquake strikes Morocco

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

A devastating earthquake struck Morocco, resulting in significant casualties and damage.

Details of the Moroccan Earthquake

• Shallow Epicenter: The quake’s epicentre was near the town of Ighil, approximately 70 km southwest of Marrakech. It was considered fairly shallow, with varying depth estimates.
• Higher Energy: Shallow earthquakes are typically more dangerous as they carry more energy, making them more destructive compared to deeper quakes.

Major Causes

• Tectonic Convergence: The earthquake resulted from the northward convergence of the African plate with the Eurasian plate along a complex plate boundary.
• Faulting: The USGS attributed the quake to oblique-reverse faulting at a shallow depth within the Moroccan High Atlas Mountain range.
• Fault Classification: Oblique-slip faults exhibit characteristics of both dip-slip and strike-slip faults, occurring in areas of compression where tectonic plates converge.

Why discuss this?

• Low Seismicity: Earthquakes are uncommon in North Africa, with low seismicity rates along the northern margin of the continent.
• Historic Strength: This earthquake was the strongest ever recorded in the mountainous region, catching Morocco unprepared for such an event.
• Construction Vulnerabilities: Many Moroccan buildings, especially in rural areas and older cities, are not constructed to withstand strong tremors.

What is an Earthquake?

• An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground caused by movement under the earth’s surface.
• It happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another.
• This releases stored-up ‘elastic strain’ energy in the form of seismic waves, which spreads through the earth and cause the shaking of the ground.

What exactly causes Earthquakes?

• As we know, the earth’s outermost surface, crust, is fragmented into tectonic plates.
• The edges of the plates are called plate boundaries, which are made up of faults.
• The tectonic plates constantly move at a slow pace, sliding past one another and bumping into each other.
• As the edges of the plates are quite rough, they get stuck with one another while the rest of the plate keeps moving.
• Earthquake occurs when the plate has moved far enough and the edges unstick on one of the faults.
• The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts are called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre.

Source: The Hindu

India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor

Subject: International  Relations

Why in News?

US President Joe Biden called the launch of the India-Middle East “a big deal”, saying said one is going to hear the phrase economic corridor more often in the coming decade.

About India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor:

• The project includes India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany and the US.
• The project will aim to enable greater trade among the involved countries, including energy products. 
• The IMEC comprises an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe.
• It will include a railway and ship-rail transit network and road transport routes.
• The corridor will include a rail link as well as an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a high-speed data cable.
• In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe.
• The rail and shipping corridor is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) 
• Significance
  • It would increase prosperity among the countries involved through an increased flow of energy and digital communications.
  • The project would help deal with the lack of infrastructure needed for growth in lower- and middle-income nations.

 Key facts about the PGII

• It is a collaborative effort by G7 nations to fund infrastructure projects in developing nations.
• It is a developmental initiative aimed at narrowing the infrastructure gap in developing countries as well as help towards accelerating progress on SDGs globally.
• The infrastructure plan was first announced in June 2021 during the G7 Summit in the UK.
• Collectively it aims to mobilise nearly $600 billion from the G7 by 2027 to invest in critical infrastructure that improves lives and delivers real gains for all of our people.”

Source: The Hindu

Orphan Diseases in India

Subject: Governance

Why in News?

Health discussions often revolve around common ailments, such as diabetes, which affect a significant portion of the population.

• However, amidst these well-known health issues, there are numerous rare/ orphan diseases that, though infrequent, can have devastating consequences for patients and their families.

What are Orphan Diseases?

• Rare diseases, often referred to as orphan diseases, are characterized by a low prevalence rate, typically affecting one person in a population of 10,000.

Challenges Posed

• Difficulty in Diagnosis: Rare diseases are challenging to diagnose, particularly for young medical practitioners who may have limited exposure to such cases. The rarity of these conditions means that many healthcare professionals may not have encountered them during their training.
• Lack of Research: Limited prevalence has historically resulted in insufficient research efforts. With fewer cases to study, there has been a lack of scientific understanding and effective treatments for many rare diseases.
• High Treatment Costs: While advances in medical research have led to the development of therapies for some rare diseases, the costs associated with these treatments are often exorbitant. From an Indian perspective, these costs can range from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 20 million per year, making them unaffordable for many.

Initiatives and Progress in India

• Increasing Awareness: Greater awareness of rare diseases and advancements in genomic technologies for diagnosis have begun to address these challenges. As awareness spreads, more cases are being identified and correctly diagnosed.
• Regulatory Incentives: Several countries, including India, have introduced regulatory incentives to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in research and development for neglected diseases. This has led to increased interest in orphan drugs.
• Patient-Driven Initiatives: Patient groups and organizations in India are actively contributing to rare disease research and treatment. One notable example is the Dystrophy Annihilation Research Trust (DART), which is conducting clinical trials for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.
• Government Initiatives: The government’s National Policy for Treatment of Rare Diseases is gradually making an impact. It aims to address rare diseases prevalent in India, such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, lysosomal storage disorders, and sickle-cell anaemia.

Lessons from Leprosy

• Incidence Reduction: Leprosy, once prevalent in India, is now considered a rare disease due to successful efforts in reducing its incidence.
• Research Benefits: Research on orphan diseases like leprosy can yield broader societal benefits. For instance, studies on synthetic antibiotics have shown a potential to curb the spread of leprosy to household relatives.
• Government Goals: Research findings may contribute to achieving the government’s objective of making India leprosy-free by 2027.

Conclusion

• Rare diseases present unique healthcare challenges that have long been neglected.
• However, recent progress in diagnosis, research, and patient-driven initiatives is gradually improving the landscape for rare disease patients in India.
• As awareness grows and regulatory support continues, there is hope for enhanced diagnosis, treatment options, and affordability, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by these conditions.

Source: The Hindu

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 on False Promise of Marriage

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, seeks to address a specific issue concerning sexual relationships based on false promises of marriage.

• Section 69 of this Bill introduces significant changes in this regard.

Section 69 of BNS – Sexual Intercourse on False Promise of Marriage

• Creation of Two Offenses: Section 69 within Chapter 5 of the BNS, titled “Offences against Women and Children,” defines ‘sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means etc.’ and includes two violations: one by deceitful means and one by a ‘false promise to marry.’
• Deceitful Means: The first violation involves employing deceitful means, such as a false promise of employment, promotion, or marriage, with the intent to induce sexual relations. If a person uses such means, they could face penalties of up to ten years of imprisonment.
• False Promise to Marry: The second violation pertains to making a false promise to marry a woman with the intention of breaking that promise, solely to obtain her consent and exploit her sexually. This offense is also subject to a penalty of up to ten years of imprisonment.

Why Section 69 Is Introduced?

• Historical Context: In the absence of a specific provision, cases of sexual intercourse based on false promises of marriage were previously addressed using other sections of criminal law, causing ambiguity.
• Prevalence of Cases: Cases of sex under the “false promise of marriage” had been reported frequently, with victims often unable to seek legal remedy effectively.
• Legal Ambiguity: The existing legal framework did not clearly distinguish between a ‘false promise’ and a ‘breach’ of promise to marry, creating complications in determining consent and intention.

Courts’ Handling of ‘False Promise of Marriage’ Cases

• Judicial Interpretation: Courts had traditionally relied on existing laws like Sections 375 and 90 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to address such cases.
• Consent Examination: Section 375 defines consent as an unequivocal voluntary agreement, and Section 90 considers consent given under “misconception of fact.” Courts examined cases based on these provisions.
• Distinguishing Factors: Courts differentiated between a ‘false promise’ made with the intent to deceive and a ‘breach’ of promise made in good faith but not fulfilled.
• Crucial Judgments: The Supreme Court’s judgment in ‘Pramod Suryabhan Pawar vs. State of Maharashtra’ (2019) highlighted the importance of the promise-maker’s intent to deceive. Another significant case, ‘Dileep Singh vs. State of Bihar,’ underscored the need for establishing a lack of intention to marry for the offense to be considered rape.

Implications and Critiques of Section 69

• Endogamy Promotion: Critics argue that Section 69 may promote endogamy by shifting the focus from real harm and abuse to whether the man intended to marry, disregarding the complex social context in which such relationships occur.
• Ambiguity and Discretion: The Bill’s vagueness and discretionary nature could perpetuate uncertainty and reliance on gender norms, potentially re-victimizing women.
• Cycle of Consequences: While the Bill specifies the consequences of the crime, it may overlook the harm suffered by women, contributing to a cycle where justice remains elusive.

Conclusion

• Section 69 of the proposed BNS, 2023, addresses a crucial issue related to sexual relationships based on false promises of marriage.
• However, the Bill’s implementation and interpretation will require careful scrutiny to ensure justice is served without perpetuating harmful gender norms or social biases, as indicated by crucial judgments in relevant cases.

Source: The Hindu

European Honeybees as Biomonitoring Agents for AMR

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

A recent study has revealed an unconventional yet efficient method for monitoring the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in urban areas: the utilization of European honeybees as biomonitoring agents.

What are the Major Highlights of the Research?

• European honeybees serve as a unique environmental proxy, effectively "crowdsourcing" data as they interact with contaminants in various urban elements such as soil, dust, air, water, and pollen during their foraging activities.
• Their short lifespan, around 4 weeks, allows them to provide real-time data on the state of the environment concerning antimicrobial resistance.
• Researchers have shed light on the significance of these bees in assessing pollution that may pose risks to human health. They analyzed the gut bacteria of 144 bees and identified Class 1 integrons (intI1) as a universal marker for tracking AMR.
• Surprisingly, around 52% of the bees carried intI1 in urban areas.
• Integron is a mobile DNA element that can capture and carry genes, particularly those responsible for antibiotic resistance.
• Furthermore, the researchers examined eight bees from each of the 18 hives owned by citizen-scientist beekeepers in Greater Sydney, Australia.
• 80% of these bees across all hives tested positive for one or more AMR targets.
• Higher concentrations were observed near bodies of water like dams and lakes.

What are European Honeybees?

• About:
  • European honeybees (Apis mellifera) commonly referred to as the Western honey bee, possess two pairs of wings and usually display black or brown coloring with distinctive yellow stripes on its abdomen.
  • They prefer to nest in a cavity such as a hollow tree or house wall.
  • They are assessed as "Data Deficient" on the IUCN Red List.
• Distribution:
  • The species lives predominantly in managed bee colonies throughout Europe, although there are potentially feral and wild bee colonies found in a wide range of habitats.
  • Generally, the species can be found to inhabit temperate forests, grasslands and even semi-deserts.

What is the Social Structure and Behaviour of Honeybee?

• Social Structure:
  • Among them, queen bees, the fertile females, develop into the largest individuals.
  • Drones, which are the males, have a medium build and notably larger eyes compared to females.
  • Worker bees, smaller sterile females, are equipped with barbed stingers and possess unique hind legs utilized as pollen baskets.
• Behavior:
  • Communication: They communicate through a complex system of dance called “waggle dance” to relay information about food sources and hive conditions.
  • Hive Construction: Bees construct intricate hexagonal honeycomb structures made of beeswax to store honey, pollen, and raise brood.
  • Pollination: While foraging for nectar and pollen, honeybees unintentionally pollinate many plant species, aiding in plant reproduction.

Source: DTE