UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 18th July 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Alaska Peninsula

Why in News?

A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake recently struck the Alaska Peninsula region.

About Alaska Peninsula

Location:

• It is a long, narrow strip of land located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Alaska.
• It extends about 800 kilometers (500 miles) in a southwest direction from the mainland of Alaska.
• It separates the Pacific Ocean from Bristol Bay, an arm of the Bering Sea.
• Physiography: The peninsula is largely mountainous, with numerous active and dormant volcanoes, rugged coastlines, deep fjords, and vast expanses of wilderness.

Volcanism:

• The volcanic Aleutian Range runs along its entire length.
• The  Pavlof Volcano, near the peninsula’s southwestern edge, rises to more than 8,260 feet (2,518 metres) and is the most active volcano in the Aleutian volcanic arc.

Population:

• It has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, primarily the Aleut and Alutiiq (Sugpiaq) communities.
• It is sparsely populated, with small communities scattered along its coastline.

Biodiversity:

• It is home to diverse wildlife, including brown bears, caribou, moose, wolves, bald eagles, and various marine mammals.
• The famous Katmai National Park and Preserve, known for its brown bear population and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, is located on the northeastern part of the peninsula.

What is a Peninsula?

• A peninsula is a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water but is connected to the mainland on one side.
•  It is an extension of land that juts out into a body of water, such as an ocean, sea, lake, or river.
• Peninsulas are typically narrow and elongated in shape, although their size can vary significantly.

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

A notable example of colony resilience during a bleaching event is found near Japan’s Iriomote Island, where a colony bleached in 2016 exhibited signs of recovery by 2020.

About Iriomote Island

• Iriomote Island is a picturesque island located in the Yaeyama Islands, part of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.
• It is the largest and southernmost inhabited island in the Yaeyama archipelago.
• With its lush jungles, mangrove forests, and diverse wildlife, Iriomote Island is often referred to as the “Galapagos of the East.”
• It is home to the Iriomote Yamaneko, or Iriomote cat, which is a critically endangered species of wildcat found only on this island.
• The dense mangrove forests along the island’s rivers and estuaries serve as an important habitat for numerous species of birds, fish, and other wildlife.
• To preserve the island’s unique ecosystem and cultural heritage, Iriomote Island is part of the Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.

Coral Reefs and Coral Bleaching

• Corals are marine invertebrates that form colonies of polyps, which multiply and create reef structures.
• Hard corals extract calcium carbonate to build hard exoskeletons, while soft corals add their skeletons to create coral reefs.
• Corals have a mutually beneficial relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae.
• The zooxanthellae provide food and nutrients through photosynthesis, while corals provide a home and essential nutrients.
• The zooxanthellae give corals their vibrant colors.

Understanding Coral Bleaching

• Causes of Bleaching: Environmental stressors like temperature changes, pollution, and high ocean acidity lead to coral bleaching.
• Bleaching Process: Stressed corals expel the zooxanthellae, revealing their pale exoskeletons and disrupting the symbiotic relationship.
• Impacts of Bleaching: Severe and prolonged bleaching events can result in coral death and the loss of biodiversity.

Climate Change’s Impact on Coral Reefs

• Warming Seas: Rising carbon emissions and greenhouse gases have caused increased global warming, resulting in warmer ocean temperatures.
• Mass Bleaching: The frequency and intensity of mass bleaching events have risen in recent decades due to climate change.
• Projections: Even with greenhouse gas reduction efforts, temperatures are expected to rise by 1.5°C to 2°C by the end of the century.

Significance of Coral Reefs

• Biodiversity Hotspots: Coral reefs support over 25% of marine biodiversity despite covering only 1% of the seafloor.
• Economic Value: Reefs contribute $2.7 trillion annually through trade, tourism, and employment opportunities.
• Environmental Protection: Coral reefs provide habitat and serve as a natural defense against storm waves.
• Regeneration Potential: Dead reefs can recover if sufficient fish species graze on the weeds that settle on dead corals, although the process takes several years.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Sudan conflicts

Why in News?

Recent conflicts in Blue Nile or Darfur regions of Sudan has led to nationwide displacement.

Background:-

• Some 2,231,523 internal displacements have been recorded in Sudan (as of June 28, 2023), since conflict erupted in one of Africa’s biggest countries on April 15, 2023.

About Sudan conflicts:-

• The conflict in April 2023 is a power struggle between the two major factions of Sudan, which has led to the outbreak of violence.
• The ongoing struggle is between the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese military forces.
• Reason for conflict:–
  • 2019: The conflict in Sudan has its roots in the overthrowing of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir by military generals in April 2019, following widespread protests.
  • 2021: The military overthrew the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok in October 2021, with Burhan becoming the de-facto leader of the country and Dagalo his second-in-command.
  • The current fight is due to the RSF supporting the former warlord Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, while the Sudanese military forces supporting Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who is the de facto ruler of the nation.
• Current Impact of Conflict:-
  • It has resulted in millions of internal and cross-border displacements.
  • Fighting initially took place in cities across Northern and Khartoum states, later spreading across the Darfur and Kordofan states. 
  • Khartoum state has been experiencing the highest levels of internal displacement.

India and Sudan conflict:-

• There are about 2,800 Indian nationals in Sudan, and there is also a settled Indian community of about 1,200 in the country.
• India began Operation Kaveri in 2023. 
• Operation Kaveri: a codename for India’s evacuation effort to bring back its citizens stranded in Sudan amid intense fighting between the army and a rival paramilitary force there.
• The operation involves the deployment of the Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, a stealth offshore patrol vessel, and two Indian Air Force C-130J special operations aircraft on standby in Jeddah.

Source: DTE

Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system

Why in News?

Recently, India and UAE signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding on Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system.

Background:-

• The agreement was signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE.
• Objective: to revolutionize cross-border transactions between the two nations.

About Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system:-

• The Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system enables exporters and importers to invoice and pay in their respective domestic currencies.
• The LCS system between India and UAE allows for the use of the Indian Rupee and UAE Dirham in bilateral trade.
• It is India’s first-ever LCS arrangement.
• This innovative system is expected to have a transformative impact on transaction costs and processing time.
• It is anticipated to have a ripple effect on global economic engagements, encouraging the use of local currencies and fostering greater financial independence.
• It will increase the reliance on local currencies.
• The LCS system, will provide a seamless and efficient mechanism for cross-border transactions. 
• It will reduce dependence on international currencies and further strengthen economic cooperation.
• It will enable the use of surplus balances in local currencies for investment in various local currency assets, such as corporate bonds, government securities, and equity markets, creating new avenues for growth and collaboration.
• It will amplify the preferential terms already established by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), bringing new opportunities for trade and investment.
  • CEPA: a free trade agreement between two countries which covers negotiation on the trade in services and investment, and provides for an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries.
• This arrangement would also promote investments and remittances.

Source: AIR

UK signs CPTPP Trade Deal

Why in News?

The UK has formally signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major Indo-Pacific trade deal.

• Joining the bloc is seen as the UK’s biggest trade deal since leaving the European Union.

What is CPTPP?

• The CPTPP, established in 2018, reduces trade barriers among 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Vietnam.
• Objectives of CPRPP include-

1. Tariff Reduction and Market Opening: The agreement requires countries to eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs and make commitments to open services and investment markets.
2. Addressing Competition and Intellectual Property: The CPTPP includes rules on competition, intellectual property rights, and protections for foreign companies.
3. Expanding Membership: While the CPTPP aims to counter China’s regional dominance, China and other countries such as Taiwan, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Ecuador have applied to join.

Importance of CPTPP for the UK

• Cutting Tariffs and Expanding Trade: The UK government anticipates reduced tariffs for UK exports to Asia Pacific countries. Joining the CPTPP expands trade opportunities, as the bloc represents 15% of global trade and a combined GDP of £12 trillion.
• Post-Brexit Trade Strategy: After leaving the EU, the UK seeks to deepen trade ties with the Pacific region through its “Global Britain” strategy.
• Seeking Faster-Growing Economies: The UK aims to establish trade deals with countries and blocs with faster-growing economies than the EU, given limitations in achieving agreements with major powers like China and the United States.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Economic Impact of Brexit: Critics argue that trade deals like the CPTPP will struggle to compensate for the economic damage caused by leaving the EU, which remains the UK’s largest trading bloc.
• Long-Term Productivity Forecast: Brexit is projected to reduce the UK’s long-term productivity by 4%, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
• Existing Trade Deals and Economic Boost: The UK already has trade deals with most CPTPP members, and the projected economic boost from joining the agreement is relatively modest at 0.08% annually.

Recent Developments

• Information Gathering Process: CPTPP members are assessing aspiring economies’ ability to meet the bloc’s high standards as part of the decision-making process for future membership.
• Collective Decision-Making: The decision on new members and the timeline for their inclusion will be made collectively by existing CPTPP participants.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Why in News?

Fibromyalgia may be associated with an elevated risk of mortality owing to sensitivity to accidents, infections, and, in particular, suicide, according to a pooled data analysis.

About Fibromyalgia

• It is a long-term (chronic) health condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout your body.
• It causes musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

What causes Fibromyalgia?

• The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but studies show that people with the disorder have a heightened sensitivity to pain, so they feel pain when others do not.
• Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.
• People with fibromyalgia usually experience symptoms that come and go in periods called flare-ups. 

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

• The two most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain and fatigue. Other symptoms include,
  • Muscle pain or tenderness.
  • Fatigue.
  • Face and jaw pain (temporomandibular joint disorders).
  • Headaches and migraines.
  • Digestive problems, including diarrhea and constipation.
  • Bladder control issues.

Who is affected by Fibromyalgia?

• Anyone can develop fibromyalgia. It affects people of any age, including children.
• Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

• While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms.
• Treatment typically involves a combination of exercise or other movement therapies, psychological and behavioural therapy, and medications.

Source: Economic Times

Why is there a controversy on the forest Bill?

Why in News?

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 is set to be presented during the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament.

Central idea

• Recently, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which was looking at amendments to the Bill has approved the version sent by the government with almost no comment, revisions or suggestions. However, multiple objections have been raised over the proposed amendments.

Definition- Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

• The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill is a proposed legislation aimed at amending the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 in India.
• The proposed amendments seek to address certain issues and introduce changes to enhance forest conservation efforts and promote sustainable development.

Background-Forest Conservation Act, 1980

• The Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was enacted to protect the country’s forests and empower the central government to regulate the extraction of forest resources, including timber, bamboo, coal, and minerals, by industries and forest-dwelling communities.
• Prior to the implementation of the Forest Conservation Act, extensive deforestation and diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes were prevalent.
• From 1951 to 1975, approximately four million hectares of forest land were diverted. However, after the Act came into effect, from 1980 to 2023, only around one million hectares have been diverted.

The key objectives of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

• Definition and Demarcation of Forests: The amendments aim to provide a clear and comprehensive definition of forest and establish criteria for demarcating forest areas.
• Renaming of the Act: The proposed amendments include changing the name of the Act from Forest (Conservation) Act to Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, which translates to Forest Conservation and Augmentation.
• Applicability of the Act: The amendments specify that the Act will apply only to lands officially notified as forest in government records on or after 1980.
• Exemptions and Strategic Projects:
• The proposed amendments introduce certain exemptions from the Act’s provisions.
• Forest land located within 100 km of international borders and intended for strategic projects of national importance, as well as land ranging from 5 to 10 hectares for security and defense projects, would be exempted.
• Encouraging Reforestation and Carbon Sink Development:
• The amendments address the issue of disincentives faced by private parties interested in developing plantations in degraded forests or restoring tree patches.
• The proposed changes seek to incentivize reforestation efforts and support India’s commitment to developing a carbon sink of three billion tonnes by 2030, as per its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

Objections to the changes

• Impact on Ecologically Sensitive Areas:
• The exemptions introduced in the amendments could have detrimental effects on significant forests in the Himalayan, trans-Himalayan, and northeastern regions.
• Clearing these forests without proper assessment and mitigation plans may threaten the biodiversity of vulnerable ecological and geologically sensitive areas and potentially trigger extreme weather events.
• Exclusion of Forest Land:
• Limiting the Act’s applicability only to forest areas recorded on or after 1980 may leave out substantial forest land and biodiversity hotspots.
• This exclusion could potentially lead to the sale, diversion, clearance, and exploitation of these areas for non-forestry purposes, undermining forest conservation efforts.
• Renaming of the Act:
• Dissent has been expressed regarding the renaming of the Act as Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam.
• The use of sanskritik terminology in the name is untenable and may not be in alignment with the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country.
• Balance of Power:
• Concerns have been raised about the balance of power between the central and state governments.
• They argue that forest conservation falls under the concurrent jurisdiction of both levels of government, and the amendments may shift the balance towards the central government, potentially undermining the authority of state governments in forest conservation matters.

Environment Ministry’s stand on the issue

• Addressing Concerns: The Environment Ministry has submitted detailed explanations to the JPC to address the concerns that have been raised. The Ministry aims to clarify and alleviate the apprehensions surrounding the proposed amendments.
• Protection of Godavarman Judgment: The Ministry asserts that the new amendments do not dilute the Godavarman Thirumulpad judgment, indicating that the changes are consistent with the principles laid down in the landmark Supreme Court ruling.
• Preventing Misuse of Land: The Ministry emphasizes that there are provisions in place to ensure that forest land will not be misused. The amendments include safeguards to prevent unauthorized exploitation or inappropriate utilization of forest land.
• Specific Exemptions: The Ministry clarifies that the exemptions introduced in the amendments would be limited to specific linear projects of strategic importance identified by the Central government.

Way forward

• Inclusive dialogue: Facilitate inclusive dialogue with stakeholders, including Opposition parties, NGOs, tribal communities, and experts, to address concerns and objections.
• Impact assessment: Conduct thorough environmental impact assessments (EIAs) to assess potential consequences of the amendments and develop mitigation plans for ecological sensitivity.
• Strengthen safeguards: Enhance safeguards for significant forest areas and develop clear definitions of forest to ensure effective conservation measures.
• Balance conservation and development: Promote sustainable practices like private plantations and reforestation while regulating industrial and mining use of forest tracts.
• Central-state collaboration: Foster collaboration and coordination between Central and state governments to harmonize forest conservation efforts.
• Transparent implementation: Allocate resources for monitoring, prevention of illegal activities, and ensure transparency and accountability in forest-related activities.

Conclusion

• The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, set to be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. As the bill moves forward for debate, it is crucial to consider the concerns raised and ensure a balanced approach that protects both forests and the rights of forest-dependent communities.

Source: The Hindu