UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 16th February 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Why in news?

The draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022, while deemed necessary by several researchers, vests powers entirely in the Geological Survey of India (GSI), a 170-year-old organisation says experts.

About Geological Survey of India:

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is a scientific agency.
• It is one of the oldest of such organisations in the world and the second oldest survey in India after Survey of India (founded in 1767).
• GSI, headquartered at Kolkata, has six Regional offices located at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata.
• Presently, Geological Survey of India is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.

Evolution GSI:

• Until 1852, Geological Survey primarily remained focused on exploration for coal, mainly for powering steam transport, oil reserves, and ore deposits.
• Then Sir Thomas Oldham broadened the ambit of the scope of functioning of the Geological Survey of India to map the rock types, geological structures and relative ages of different rock types.
• In 19th and early 20th century GSI made important contributions to Seismology by its studies and detailed reports on numerous Indian earthquakes.
• In 2017 GSI began pilot project, with the first ever aerial survey of mineral stocks by GSI, to map the mineral stocks up to a depth of 20 km using specially-equipped aircraft.

Role of GSI:

• Conducting geological surveys and studies of India.
• Prime provider of basic earth science information to government, industry and general public
• Official participant in steel, coal, metals, cement, power industries and international geoscientific forums.

Restructuring of GSI:

• The GSI was restructured into 5 Missions on the basis of the Report of a High-level Committee chaired by Mr S. Vijay Kumar:
  • Baseline Surveys
  • Mineral resource Assessments
  • Geoinformatics
  • Multi-disciplinary Geosciences
  • Training and Capacity Building

About Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics:

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance.
• The draft bill defines Geoheritage sites as sites containing:
  • geo-relics and phenomena,
  • stratigraphic type sections,
  • geological structures and geomorphic landforms including caves, natural rock-sculptures of national and international interest; and
  • includes such portion of land adjoining the site.
• A Geo-relic is defined as any relic or material of a geological significance or interest like sediments, rocks, minerals, meteorite or fossils.
• The GSI will have the power to acquire geo-relics for its preservation and maintenance.
• The 32 geo-heritage sites spread across 13 states include:
  • the Volcanogenic bedded Barytes of Mangampeta in Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh,
  • the Akal Fossil Wood Park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan etc.

Key provisions of the proposed bill:

• The Draft Geo-heritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) Bill, 2022 vests powers entirely in the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
• The Bill give it the power to:
  • declare sites as having ‘geo-heritage’ value,
  • take possession of relics (fossils, rocks) that rest in private hands,
  • prohibit construction 100 metres around such a site,
  • penalise with fines up to ₹5 lakhimprisonment for vandalism, defacement, and violations of directives of a site by the Director General of GSI.

Declaration of geoheritage sites:

• It would authorise the Central Government to declare a geoheritage site to be of national importance.
• This would be under the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act).
• Through a public notification in the Official Gazette, the government would spell out what areas were to be acquired by it.

Compensation:

• Provision is made for compensation to the owner or occupier of land who incurs loss or damage from the land due to the exercise of any power under this Act.
• The market value of any property will be ascertained in accordance with the principles set out in the RFCTLARR Act.

Prohibitions:

• The Bill imposes a prohibition on construction, reconstruction, repair or renovation of any building within the geoheritage site area or utilisation of such area in any other manner.
• Exception: construction for preservation and maintenance of geoheritage site or any public work essential to the public.

Penalties:

• There is a penalty of imprisonment which may 
• In the case of a continuing contravention, 

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA)

Why in news?

On the sidelines of G20 presidency, India is planning to propose the launch of a global initiative to encourage the consumption and production of millets.

About Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA):

• It aims to connect the millet research organisations across the world while also supporting research on millet crops.
• Secretariat: Delhi, India
• It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets and the Centre’s plan to make India a global hub for millets.
• 5 G20 meetings on agriculture:
  • 3 of Agriculture Deputies,
  • 1 of chief scientists, and
  • 1 where the Agriculture Ministers of all G-20 countries will gather.
• It will be launched keeping in mind the nutritional value and the climate resilient nature of millets.
• It will set up a web platform to connect researchers and holding international research conferences.
• India will contribute the “seed money” while each G20 member will later have to contribute to its budget in the form of a membership fee.

Source: Indian Express

Doctrine of necessity

Why in news?

Recently, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) Invoked the “doctrine of necessity” to clear six deals involving mergers & acquisitions (M&A) and investment proposals.

About Doctrine of necessity:

• It allows the legal authorities to carry out certain activities which are not permitted in the normal course.
• This term is used to describe a principle of constitutional law, where in an emergency or an exigent circumstance, a state may legally act which in other circumstances is deemed to be illegal.
• The term was first used in 1954 in a controversial judgment in Pakistan.
• The Doctrine of Necessity was changed to the Doctrine of Absolute Necessity in the case of 
• Outcome:
• It acts as a defense against violating the law making
• Doctrine of necessity acts as an exception to ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’

Source: Indian Express

G20 Culture Group meeting

Why in news?

Ministry of Culture is organising the First G20 Culture Group (CWG) meeting in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh from 22nd to 25th February 2023.

About the G20 Culture Group meeting:

• The working group will have four meetings and they will be held in Khajuraho, Bhubaneshwar, and Hampi.
• The theme of the Khajuraho meet is “Protection and Restitution of Cultural Property”.

Key facts about Khajuraho

• Khajuraho is an ancient city known for its majestic temples and elaborate sculptures.
• The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was constructed by the Chandela Dynasty between 950-1050 AD.
• These monuments are built in Nagara-style architecture and ornamented with intricate and detailed sculptures.
• The monuments include 
• According to historical records, there were 85 temples in the temple site in Khajuraho, covering 20 square kilometres, in the 12th Century AD.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

InfoCrop

Why in news?

Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has forecasted the impact of the hot weather on crop yield in Punjab and Haryana where InfoCrop is one such forecast tool.

About InfoCrop:

• It is India’s only dynamic crop simulation model
• It is developed and released by 
• It aims to study the long-term impact of climate change and crop management practices on yield.
• It is a process based dynamic (real time) simulation model to calculate the growth of yield of 11 crops.
• 11 crops
• It also has the life cycle data for almost all the local varieties of those 11 crops.
• It provides data on the effects of weather, soil and crop management (sowing, seed rate, organic matter nitrogen and irrigation) and pests.
• It provides daily and summary outputs on growth and yield parameters, nitrogen uptake and balance, greenhouse gas emissions, soil water.
• It performs better for tropical regions
• In 2004, InfoCrop version 1 was launched whereas version 2.1 was launched in 2015.

Other forecasting models:

• The Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre provides pre-harvest forecasts for eight major crops at the national, state and district levels.
• It works under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Other key facts:

• Currently, India does not have a system to forecast crop loss due to heatwaves or other extreme weather conditions.

Source: DownToEarth

Why in news?

 Monitoring the evolution of the shapeshifting H5N1 virus can add to the preparedness against another potential pandemic.

About H5N1 virus/Bird Flue:

• Bird flu or avian influenza is a disease caused by avian influenza Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide.
• Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds.
• Infrequently, the virus can infect mammals from birds, a phenomenon called spillover, and rarely can spread between mammals.
• This subtype has caused a number of human infections through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, and is often fatal.
• Recent reports of H5N1 spread between mammals raise concerns about its potential to cause a human pandemic if it were to spill over and become transmissible among humans.
• It can infect domestic poultry including chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, cats, and tigers.

Types of avian influenza:

• Avian Influenza type A viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin(HA) and Neuraminidase(NA).
• There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes.
• Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10, etc.

Symptoms:

• A virus infections in humans have ranged from mild to severe influenza-like illness.
• Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting etc.
• Severe respiratory illness (e.g., shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, respiratory failure).
• Neurologic changes (altered mental status, seizures).

Prevention of spillovers:

• Preventing H5N1 spillovers and outbreaks requires a combination of measures including:
  • vaccination of poultry,
  • safe disposal of dead birds,
  • wearing personal protective equipment when handling birds,
  • quarantine and culling of affected animals, and
  • improved surveillance and monitoring of H5N1 in birds and other animals.
  • molecular surveillance of H5N1
• Genome sequencing can be employed to monitor the emergence of new subtypes, and keep a close watch on mutations and virulence factors that may increase the ability to infect humans.

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

India is on the fast track to promoting eco-friendly modes of transportation with a growing emphasis on hybrid and electric vehicles.

About Green Resolution:

• The production of food within India was insufficient in the years from 1947 to 1960 as there was a growing population, during which famine was also anticipated.
• Many farmers were in debt, and they had become landless laborers.
• There was a severe shortage of food crops as well as commercial crops.

The Green Revolution:

• In India, the green revolution was launched under the guidance of geneticist Dr. M. S. Swaminathan.
• The Green Revolution was a period that began in the 1960s during which agriculture in India was converted into a modern industrial system by the adoption of technology, such as the use of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, mechanised farm tools, irrigation facilities, pesticides and fertilizers.

Primary aim:

• The green revolution’s primary aim was to introduce high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of cereals to alleviate poverty and malnutrition.

Benefits of Green Revolution

• There are undoubtedly positive effects on the overall food security in India.
• The Green Revolution within India led to an increase in agricultural production, especially in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Increased food production: The Green Revolution led to a considerable increase in food production, which helped in improving food security in India.
• Boosted economy: The movement helped to boost the Indian economy, with increased agricultural production contributing to economic growth.
• Reduced poverty: The Green Revolution in India contributed to a reduction in poverty, particularly in rural areas. Hence, it helped improve the standard of living for farmers.
• Increased employment opportunities: The revolution created new employment opportunities in agriculture and related industries, which helped tackle unemployment.
• Self-sufficiency: The Green Revolution helped India to become more self-sufficient in food production, reducing the country’s dependence on other countries for food.
• The green revolution led to the high productivity of crops through adapted measures, such as:
  • Increased area under farming,
  • Double-cropping, which includes planting two crops rather than one, annually,
  • Adoption of HYV of seeds,
  • Highly increased use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides,
  • Improved irrigation facilities, and
  • Improved farm implements and crop protection measures.

Criticisms of Green Revolution:

Water-intensive crops:

• The crops introduced during the green revolution were water-intensive crops.
• About 3,500 litres of water is needed to produce one kg of rice, compared to 1,350 litres for wheat and 900 litres for maize.
• To take Punjab’s example, the state extracts 28 billion cubic metres (bcm) of groundwater annually, while its annual recharge is 19 bcm, which is unsustainable.
• Tube wells have to dive deeper and deeper to find water.

Imbalanced and unsuitable production:

• Punjab, Haryana and west Uttar Pradesh were chosen or led to produce wheat and rice for the nation.
  • These states were relatively suitable for wheat, but not rice.
• The best states for rice were West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Assam.
• The three northern states were incentivized for growing rice along with wheat because they had good irrigation, unlike the eastern states which were largely rainfed.

Soil pollution:

• Chemicals have swallowed the soil’s innate nutrients.
• There has been a significant increase in the usage of pesticides, and India became one of the largest producers of pesticides in the whole of Asia.

Air pollution:

• Air pollution introduced due to the burning of agricultural waste is a big issue these days.
• In the heartland of the green revolution, Punjab, farmers are burning their land for sowing the crops for the next cycle instead of the traditionally practiced natural cycle.

Extinction of Indigenous Varieties of Crops:

• Since the time of the green revolution, there was reduced cultivation of indigenous varieties of rice, millets, lentils, etc.
• In turn, there was increased harvest of hybrid crops, which would grow faster.
• Due to the green revolution, India lost almost 1 lakh varieties of indigenous rice.

Health Impacts:

• Indiscriminate pesticide usage has led to several health effects in human beings in the nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems.

Way Forward:

• Crop Diversification:
  • Agriculture in green revolution states cannot be saved unless a substantial part of rice cultivation is moved from there to eastern states.
  • States want to diversify to other crops, but they do not want their income to fall in the process.
  • It can be done only when the State builds robust ecosystems for alternative crops as it had done for rice and wheat.
• Climate-resistant crops:
  • Addressing the challenges like water and air pollution would require agricultural production focussed on the water-energy nexus, making agriculture more climate resistant and environmentally sustainable.
• Technological interventions:
  • Wider use of digital technology and extension services will be helpful in information sharing and generating awareness among the farmers.
• Need of Green Revolution 2.0:
  • India needs a second green revolution along with the next generation of reforms with a view to make agriculture more climate-resistant and environmentally sustainable.
• Supply-side interventions:
  • The need is supply-side interventions such as higher public investment, storage infrastructure and promotion of food processing.

Source: All India Radio

Why in news?

A new beetle species has been discovered in India, according to a paper published in the New Zealand-based journal Zootaxa.

About Omorgus Khandesh: 

• It is necrophagous, therefore, also called a keratin beetle
• It belongs to the Trogidae family. 
• Features: 
  • The beetles of this group are sometimes called hide beetles as they tend to cover their body under the soil and hide.
  • They are not photogenic; they are usually black or grey and encrusted in dirt.
  • Their bumpy appearance is distinct, with short, dense setae all over the body.

Significance:

• The beetle is important for forensic science as it helps detect the time of death of an animal or human.

Source: DownToEarth