UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 28th March 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

Why in News?

India recently requested exploration rights from the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) for two extensive areas in the Indian Ocean seabed, which include the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) known for its cobalt-rich crust.

About Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

• The AN Seamount is a geological feature in the Central Indian Basin, situated approximately 3,000 km away from India's coastline. 
• It consists of a primary plateau that rises 1200 meters above the surrounding ocean floor, which is at a depth of 4800 meters. 
• The seamount is abundant in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper deposits.

Seamounts

• Definition and Formation
  • Seamounts are underwater mountains created through volcanic processes. 
  • These formations are known to be hubs for marine biodiversity. Similar to terrestrial volcanoes, seamounts can be active, dormant, or extinct volcanoes. 
  • They typically develop near mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to reach the seafloor.
  • The Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise are two well-studied mid-ocean ridges. 
  • Some seamounts are also found near intraplate hotspots and oceanic island chains characterized by volcanic and seismic activities.
• Significance of Seamounts
  • Seamounts offer insights into the composition of the Earth's mantle and the evolution of tectonic plates. 
  • They play a crucial role in understanding how water circulates and absorbs heat and carbon dioxide. 
  • These underwater features support diverse marine life due to their capacity to trigger localized ocean upwelling, a process where nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean ascends to the surface.

Source: The Hindu

Polar Vortex

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

The polar vortex circling the Arctic is swirling in the wrong direction after surprise warming in the upper atmosphere triggered a major reversal event recently.

• Overview: The polar vortex, a vast area of low pressure and cold air encircling the Earth's poles, fluctuates in strength throughout the year.
• Behavior: During winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex can expand, pushing frigid air southward through the jet stream.
• Global Impact: This phenomenon often leads to severe cold spells in regions like the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
• Vertical Extension: The polar vortex spans from the tropopause to the mesosphere, with low ozone levels and cold temperatures characterizing the air within.

Jet Streams

• Nature: Jet streams are narrow, powerful wind currents that predominantly move west to east across the globe.
• Varieties: Earth features four main jet streams, including polar streams near the poles and subtropical streams closer to the equator.
• Formation: When warm and cold air masses collide in the atmosphere, jet streams emerge as a result of the air movement caused by the temperature differences.
• Characteristics: Jet streams are most intense during winter hemispheres, reaching speeds of around 110 miles per hour and residing 5 to 9 miles above the Earth's surface.

Source: Live Science

Mushk budiji Rice

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Scientists recently highlighted the significant role of altitude and temperature in shaping the distinctive aroma of mushk budiji.

About Mushk budiji Rice:

• It is a type of short, bold aromatic rice cultivated in the elevated regions of the Kashmir valley.
• Characterized by a delightful combination of taste, aroma, and rich sensory properties, this rice variety holds a special place.
• Primarily cultivated in specific zones like Sagam, Panzgam, and Soaf Shali within the Anantnag district.
• In Kashmir, the consumption of aromatic rice is typically reserved for special events such as weddings and festivals.
• Recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, signifying its unique origin and qualities.

Highlights of the Study:

• Researchers conducted a study focusing on the flavor profile of mushk budiji using advanced techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and an 'electronic nose'.
• Through their analysis, scientists identified 35 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in samples of mushk budiji rice.
• One notable aromatic compound, Acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP), typically found in certain varieties, was exclusively detected in mushk budiji samples collected from higher altitudes.

Chromatography-mass Spectroscopy:

• This analytical method is employed to detect volatile compounds present in organic mixtures obtained from various sources such as geological, environmental, and biological samples.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Preventing a China-Taiwan Conflict

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

India faces complexities in disputes like Taiwan due to its expanding national interests.

• India is unlikely to engage in military actions but focuses on safeguarding its economic and security concerns.

Context

• The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan secured a third consecutive term, defying China's threats.
• Taiwan's legislative assembly presently lacks a clear majority, complicating policymaking and interactions with China.

Reasons for Indian Government to Maintain the Status Quo

• India prefers the current status where Taiwan operates as a self-governing territory without seeking independence.
• Chinese aggression towards Taiwan would have severe economic repercussions for India, impacting key sectors like electronics and pharmaceuticals.
• A Chinese victory could embolden China, expanding its influence and potentially posing challenges to India's strategic interests.

Scope for Indian Government

• Utilize International Law: India can use global legal frameworks to advocate for peaceful resolutions and oppose aggression against Taiwan.
• Narrative Building: India can shape narratives against aggression, emphasizing the risks of military conflict.
• Diplomatic Coordination: India can collaborate with other nations to discourage China from military actions.
• Economic Measures: India can diversify its economic relations to reduce dependence on China and minimize vulnerabilities.
• Information Operations: India can run information campaigns to support Taiwan and raise awareness about the situation.
• Military Support: India can assist U.S. forces in the Indian Ocean, bolstering deterrence capabilities and showing commitment to regional stability.

Conclusion

• India, prioritizing economic and security interests, upholds the status quo regarding Taiwan.
• To avert conflict, India employs international law, narrative building, diplomatic coordination, economic diversification, and military support strategies.

Source: The Hindu

China's Development of Hambantota Seaport

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

China has made plans to enhance Sri Lanka's strategic Hambantota Seaport and the capital's airport, as announced by Sri Lanka's Prime Minister following discussions with Chinese officials.

Overview of Hambantota Seaport

• The Hambantota Seaport, also referred to as the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port, serves as a significant deep-sea port.
• Located on Sri Lanka's southern coast, the port strategically intersects major international shipping lanes, linking Asia to Africa and Europe.
• Construction of the Hambantota Seaport commenced in 2007 and was finalized in various stages by November 2010.
• In a contentious move in 2017, Sri Lanka entered an agreement where a Chinese state-owned entity secured a 70% ownership of the port under a 99-year lease.

Significance for China

• The Hambantota Seaport is poised to play a vital role in China's Belt and Road initiative (BRI), which aims to establish a network of ports and roads from China to Europe.
• At the core of the BRI is a system of global ports, positioning China to rival the United States as a leading maritime power.
• This port aligns with China's 'string of pearls' strategy, potentially encircling India and providing facilities for its naval vessels.

Source: India Today

GS-III

H5N1: Understanding the Global Impact of Bird Flu

Subject: Science and Technology

Why is H5N1 in the News?

Since 2020, a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu, H5N1, has been spreading worldwide, posing a severe threat to birds and wildlife.

• The virus has infected birds in over 80 countries as of December 2023, leading to the culling of millions of chickens and turkeys in commercial poultry farms.
• It has also affected various species of wild birds.

Background:

• A concerning development is the rapid spread of the flu among mammals, which was traditionally limited to birds.
• The infection has now reached mainland Antarctica for the first time in history.

About Bird Flu:

• Bird flu, also called avian flu, is a viral illness that primarily infects and spreads among poultry and some wild birds.
• Various strains of the bird flu virus have circulated among around 100 bird species, including wild waterfowl like ducks and geese.
• Periodically, the virus jumps from wild birds to poultry farms, causing significant illness and death among birds.
• The current strain, H5N1, originated from an outbreak on a goose farm in China in 1996.
• This new variant emerged in Europe in 2020, spreading rapidly across Europe, Africa, and Asia. By late 2021, it had reached North America, and in 2022, it appeared in South America, ultimately reaching mainland Antarctica in February 2024.

Impacts on Animals Worldwide:

• Besides farm birds, wild birds have been significantly affected by the virus.
• Endangered species like the California condors have suffered losses, with 21 deaths reported in 2023 alone.
• Concerningly, the virus has also spread to mammals, leading to outbreaks among various species including foxes, pumas, skunks, and bears in North America.
• Marine mammals have been hit the hardest, with over 20,000 sea lions and some dolphins succumbing to the infection in Chile and Peru.
• While humans are at risk of contracting bird flu, cases are rare and often linked to close contact with infected birds in poultry farms when there is a high viral load present.

Source: Indian Express

SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS TRAINING (START)

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct the Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) 2024 program throughout April and May.

Background

• The START initiative is integral to ISRO's mission to cultivate a new generation of Indian professionals adept in Space Science and Technology, aligning with the organization's expanding ventures into uncharted territories.

About SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARENESS TRAINING (START)

The Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) is an educational endeavor led by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

• It functions as an online introductory program aimed at fostering a fundamental understanding of space science and technology.
• The program aims to furnish students with essential groundwork in various space-related disciplines.
• Designed primarily for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the science and technology domains.
• START encompasses a wide array of subjects such as space science, spanning Astronomy and Astrophysics, Heliophysics, Instrumentation, Aeronomy, and Sun-Earth interaction.
• Lectures within the program are delivered by esteemed scientists from Indian academia and ISRO centers.
• ISRO's overarching objective with this program is to nurture a cadre of skilled professionals within the realms of space science and technology.

South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA)

Subject: Defence and Security

Why in News?

Recently highlighted in a study in southern Africa, SEAMA represents a newly acknowledged mountainous ecoregion.

• Geographically spans from northern Mozambique to Mount Mulanje in Malawi, which stands as the second-highest mountain in southern Africa.
• Comprises 30 granitic inselbergs exceeding 1000 meters above sea level, including notable sites like Mt Mabu and Mt Lico.
• Hosts the largest mid-elevation rainforest (Mt Mabu) and the smallest (Mt Lico) in southern Africa, alongside unique montane grasslands.
• SEAMA experiences notably higher annual rainfall and humidity levels, particularly during the dry season, in comparison to surrounding areas.
• Since 2000, SEAMA has encountered a significant loss of its primary humid forest cover, with deforestation rates reaching up to 43% in certain locations.
• Primary reasons for montane forest depletion in SEAMA include slash-and-burn shifting agricultural practices, commonly utilized for subsistence farming by local populations, as well as charcoal production for household cooking and economic purposes.

Inselbergs

• An inselberg, also known as a Monadnock, refers to an isolated, steep-sloped ridge, hill, or small mountain that emerges prominently above well-developed plains, resembling an island amidst the sea.
• These geological formations typically consist of harder igneous rock like granite, which displays greater resistance to erosion, although inselbergs can also develop in sedimentary rocks.
• Inselbergs stand as enduring landforms, often enduring for millions of years with minimal alteration, within a category of landforms known as paleoforms.
• Erosional processes in inselberg landscapes predominantly occur along valley sides and floors, maintaining the distinct structure of these formations over time.