UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 20th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Chenab bridge

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the  Chenab Bridge, the worlds highest single arch railway Bridge.

Background:

• Approved in 2003 and contracted in 2008, after much worries over its safety and stability, the single-arch bridge over River Chenab in J&K passed all its mandatory tests and is set to mark India on the railroad history after two decades of waiting.

About Chenab bridge

• The Bridge spans the Chenab River and has a total length of 1315 m
• The arch bridge runs between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, and forms a crucial link from Katra to Banihal.
• It stands at the height of 1,178 feet above the riverbed, making it 35 metres taller than Paris’ tourist icon, the Eiffel Tower.
• The bridge is part of the Rs 35000 crore Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project which aims to boost connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir by providing connectivity in complex topography and weather conditions.
• The bridge is expected to have a shelf life of around 120 years.
• It will also be able to withstand winds with speeds up to 260 km/per hour.

Source: Indian Express

Marine Heatwaves in the Arctic Ocean

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

A new study has been published in the journal Nature Communications titled- ‘Arctic marine heatwaves forced by greenhouse gases and triggered by abrupt sea-ice melt’, which shows that since 2007, unprecedented Marine Heatwave (MHW) events have occurred over the Arctic Ocean.

Background:

• A A MHW is an extreme weather event. It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degrees Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), MHWs can last for weeks, months, or even years.

Key findings/highlights of the study:

• There have been 11 Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) events in the Arctic from 2007 to 2021, characterized by prolongedhigh Sea Surface Temperatures (SST). These events coincide with record declines in Arctic Sea ice. In 2022, the Arctic saw severe and extreme marine heatwaves in the Laptev and Beaufort seas from spring to autumn, according to the State of the Global Climate 2022 Report.
• The perennial sea ice cover over the Arctic Ocean, known to reflect solar radiation, has seen a marked decrease in both summer and winter since the mid-1990s. Since 2007, there has been apronounced regime shift from a thicker and deformed ice cover to a thinner and more uniform one. The thin ice is less durable and melts more quickly, allowing incoming solar radiation to warm the water’s surface.
• Arctic MHWs primarily occur over marginal seas, including theKara, Laptev, East Siberian, and Chukchi seas. These regions are characterized by shallow mixed-layer depths and predominantly first-year ice cover, creating conditions conducive to MHW development.
• Without GHGs, marine heatwaves exceeding5°C couldn’t happen. GHGs are a sufficient cause for moderate marine heatwaves, with a 66-99% probability.
• There is a pronouncedlong-term warming trend in the Arctic, with SST increasing at a rate of 1.2°C per decade from 1996 to 2021. Over the last two decades, there has been an increase in the frequency of extreme SST events in the eastern Arctic marginal seas.

Source: Down To Earth

Vaitarna River

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Recently, the bull shark attacked a fisherman in Vaitarna river at Dongripada in Maharashtra’s Palghar district was the first sighting of a bull shark 40 km upstream in the river.

About Vaitarna River:

• It is one of the west flowing rivers in the region North of Mumbai and South of the Tapi River.
• It originates in the Trimbakeshwar Hills of Nasik district of Maharashtra.
• It receives most of the rainfall from the South West monsoon during June to October. Almost 98% of the annual rainfall of the basin is received during this period.
• Tributaries: The main tributaries are Pinjal, Ganjai, Surya, Daharji and Tansa.
• The catchment area of Vaitarna basin completely lies in Thane and Nasik districts of Maharashtra.
• It drains an area of 2019 sq. km before it falls into the Gulf of Khambhat. 

Key facts about Bull Shark

• They’re known to be aggressive towards humans and are thought to be one of the most dangerous shark species in the world.
• Habitat: These are frequently spotted in tropical coastal areas worldwide, including shallower waters along coastlines.
• Bull sharks have a unique ability to tolerate freshwater and saltwater habitats, meaning they can sometimes be found venturing into rivers and travelling great distances upstream. 
• It reproduces through viviparity, the process in which the embryo develops within the mother’s body, leading to live birth. 
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable

Source: Hindustan Times

GS-II

Call for imposing Financial Emergency in Kerala

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

The Supreme Court proceeded with hearing a suit filed by the State of Kerala against the Centre for alleged arbitrary interference in its financial matters, following unsuccessful negotiations between the two parties.

• Earlier, Kerala Governor sought for the Presidential imposition of a financial emergency in the State under Article 360(1) of the Constitution due to dwindling situation of finances in the State.

• Enshrined in Article 360: It is a vital provision aimed at addressing severe financial crises threatening India’s economic stability.
• Declaration and Authority: It can be declared by the President upon satisfaction that the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is under threat.
• CoM Advice: The declaration is made based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, reflecting the collective responsibility of the executive branch.

• While the President can proclaim a Financial Emergency, its extension beyond two months needs approval from both Houses of Parliament.
• Once approved, it remains in effect until revoked by the President, allowing for flexible management of financial crises.

• The Centre’s executive authority expands significantly during a Financial Emergency, enabling it to issue directives to states on financial matters.
• Centralization of fiscal policies occurs, with the President empowered to reserve money bills passed by state legislatures for consideration.
• Austerity measures, including salary and allowance reductions for public officials, can be implemented to address economic challenges.

• 38th Amendment Act (1975) made the President’s decision final and immune from judicial review.
• However, the 44th Amendment Act (1978) allowed for judicial scrutiny.
• This amendment ensured checks and balances within the constitutional framework, preventing unchecked executive authority.

• Financial Emergencies have been sparingly invoked in India’s history, despite facing significant financial crises such as in 1991.
• The cautious utilization of this provision underscores the importance of aligning its implementation with democratic principles and federalism.

• The Supreme Court’s intervention in the Kerala-Centre financial dispute underscores the importance of cooperative federalism in addressing intergovernmental conflicts.
• The forthcoming hearings aim to reconcile differences and ensure the equitable distribution of resources, fostering harmonious relations between the Centre and states.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

BUXA TIGER RESERVE

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

An adult male tiger was recently recorded on a camera trap in Buxa Tiger Reserve in north Bengal after 23 years.

Background:

• There was no direct evidence confirming tiger presence in the reserve since 1998. Ecosystem restoration activities in the Buxa Tiger Reserve, including grassland management, helped bring the tiger back to the protected area, experts say.

About Buxa Tiger Reserve:

• Tiger reserves are protected areas in India that are dedicated to the conservation of tigers and their habitats.
• They are governed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Project Tiger scheme, which was launched in 1973.
• Buxa Tiger Reserve is a tiger reserve and national park in northern West Bengal, India.
• It is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including tigers, elephants, leopards, gaurs, and many bird species.
• Buxa Tiger Reserve was created in 1983 as the 15th tiger reserve in India.
• It is named after the historic Buxa Fort, which was used as a prison and detention camp by the British during the Indian freedom movement.
• Buxa Tiger Reserve is part of the Terai eco-system, which is a fragile and biodiverse region along the foothills of the Himalayas.
• It also serves as an international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan.

Source: Mongabay 

CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY (CAF)

Subject: Environment

Why in News?

The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) adopted the Initiative for the Central Asian Flyway introduced by India on February 17, 2024.

Background:

• The CMS holds a Conference of the Parties (COP) every three years, where the member states review the progress and adopt new measures for the conservation of migratory species. The 14th COP was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in February 2024, and it was the first UN wildlife meeting in Central Asia.

About Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) initiative is a conservation project led by India under the umbrella of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), which is an international treaty that aims to protect and conserve migratory animals and their habitats.
• The initiative aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of migratory waterbirds and their habitats, as well as to enhance cooperation and coordination among the range states and other stakeholders.
• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is a flyway covering a large continental area of Eurasia between the Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean and the associated island chains.
• A flyway is a geographical region within which a single or group of migratory species completes its annual cycle of breeding, moulting, staging and non-breeding.
• The CAF comprises several important migration routes of waterbirds, most of which extend from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding wintering grounds in West Asia, India, the Maldives and the British Indian Ocean Territory.
• The CAF covers 30 countries and at least 279 migratory waterbird populations of 182 species, including 29 globally threatened or near-threatened species.
• The Central Asian Flyway consists of the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (British Indian Ocean Territory), Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Source: Down to Earth

ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

The 3rd meeting of AITIGA Joint Committee for undertaking the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) was hosted by India in Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi from 16-19 February 2024.

About ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement:

• It is a trade deal between the ten member states of ASEAN and India.
• This agreement was signed at the 7th ASEAN Economic Ministers-India Consultations in Bangkok, Thailand in 2009.
• The agreement, which came into effect in 2010, is sometimes referred to as the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement.
• The Agreement covers trade in physical goods and products; it does not apply to trade in services.
• ASEAN and India signed a separate ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement in 2014.

What is ASEAN?

• It is a group of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok declaration.
• Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Presently ASEAN comprises 10 member states namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and socio-cultural integration between its members and other countries in Asia.

Source: PIB

Rubber Board

Subject: Agriculture

Why in News?

Recently, the government has increased the allocation for Sustainable and Inclusive Development of the Natural Rubber Sector by 23% to Rs 708.7 crore for the next two financial years and the scheme is run by the Rubber Board.

About Rubber Board:

• It is a statutory organisation constituted under the Rubber Act, 1947.
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Functions:
  • It is responsible for the development of the rubber industry in the country by assisting and encouraging research, development, extension and training activities related to rubber.
  • It also maintains statistical data of rubber, takes steps to promote marketing of rubber and undertake labour welfare activities.

  • ---

• Structure:
  • It is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.
  • It has 28 members representing various interests of the natural rubber industry.
• The activities of the Board are exercised through Five Departments viz. General Services, Extension & Advisory Services, Research Services (rubber Research Institute of India), Training (Rubber Training Institute) & Finance.
• Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala.

Source: Financial Express