UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 24th March 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Subduction Zone discovered beneath Gibraltar Strait

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

Scientists in Portugal have uncovered a concerning revelation about the fate of the Atlantic Ocean, highlighting a potential ‘Ring of Fire’ (a Subduction Zone).

• Researchers caution that the Atlantic may be on the brink of closure due to subduction activity.

About Gibraltar Strait

What are Subduction Zones?

• Subduction zones occur at convergent plate boundaries, where two tectonic plates move toward each other.
• This convergence is often between an oceanic plate and a continental plate or between two oceanic plates.
• Subduction Process:

1. Collision of Tectonic Plates: When two tectonic plates collide, the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate or another oceanic plate.
2. Partial Melting: As the oceanic plate descends into the mantle, it generates intense heat and pressure, causing partial melting of the mantle material.
3. Volcanic Activity: The molten material formed by the subduction process rises through the Earth’s crust, leading to volcanic eruptions at the surface.
4. Formation of Volcanic Arcs: These eruptions often occur in chains known as volcanic arcs, which parallel the subduction zone. Ex. Andes in S. America; Cascade Range in North America.

Implications of this Activity

• Earthquakes: Subduction zone earthquakes can be particularly destructive and may trigger tsunamis due to the displacement of large volumes of water.
• Trench Formation: The surface expression of a subduction zone is often a deep oceanic trench, where the descending plate bends and plunges into the mantle.
• Mountain Building: Over time, the continuous subduction of oceanic crust can lead to the uplift and deformation of the overriding plate, resulting in the formation of mountain ranges adjacent to the subduction zone. These mountains may exhibit complex geological structures, including folds and faults.
• Recycling of Oceanic Crust: As oceanic plates are subducted, they are gradually consumed by the mantle, releasing minerals and elements that are eventually returned to the surface through volcanic activity.

Source: Times of India

Gulf of Mannar

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

A recent study concluded that coral cover in the Gulf of Mannar region had declined from 37% in 2005 to 27.3% in 2021.

About Gulf of Mannar: 

• Along the southeast coast of India lies the Gulf of Mannar, a part of the Laccadive Sea of the Indian Ocean, containing 21 islands.
• It spans between the northwest coast of Sri Lanka and the southeast coast of India. It is bounded to the northeast by Rameswaram (island), Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), and Mannar Island.
• It receives several rivers, including the Tambraparni (India) and the Aruvi (Sri Lanka). The port of Tuticorin is on the Indian coast. The gulf is noted for its pearl banks and sacred chank (a gastropod mollusk).

Key facts about the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park:

• The Gulf of Mannar is one of the biologically richest coastal regions in all of the mainland of India. It is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South East Asia.
• In India, the Gulf of Mannar region in Tamil Nadu is one of the four major coral reef areas, and the others are the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Lakhsadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
• It is designated as a Biosphere Reserve. This Biosphere Reserve encompasses a chain of 21 islands (2 islands already submerged) and adjoining coral reefs off the coasts of the Ramanathapuram and Tuticorin districts.

Source: Indian Express

GS-II

Electoral Trusts

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The recently released list of corporate contributors to political parties under electoral bonds is under examination, although many of these have been frequent donors, paying large sums to political parties through electoral trusts.

About Electoral Trusts: 

• These are trusts set up by companies with the objective to distribute the contributions received from other companies and individuals to political parties.
• The companies which are registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, are only eligible to make an application for approval as an electoral trust.
• The names of electoral trusts, currently, do not indicate the name of the company/group of companies which set up the trusts.
• Who can and who cannot contribute to electoral trusts?
  • Who can:
    • An individual who is a citizen of India
    • A company registered in India
    • An association of persons (Indian residents)
  • Who cannot:
    • An individual who is not a citizen of India
    • Other electoral trusts (approved under the Electoral Trusts Scheme)
    • Contributors without PAN
    • NRIs without a passport number
• For administrative expenses, the electoral trusts are permitted to set aside a maximum of 5 percent of the total funds collected during a financial year. The remaining 95 percent of total income of the trusts, including any surplus from the previous financial year, is required to be distributed to eligible political parties.
• What Laws/Rules govern the creation and functioning of electoral trusts?
  • The Central Government amended the Income Tax Rules, 1962, on January 31, 2013, to insert Rule 17CA, which lists the functions of electoral trusts approved by the Central Bureau of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
  • The Central Government, also launched ‘The Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013, which specified the eligibility and procedure for registration as an electoral trust, apart from laying down the format for their registration.

Source: Economic Times

GS-III

A turf war with the wild

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Instances of human-animal conflict are on the rise in Kerala with the summer heat, scarcity of food, and loss of habitat forcing wild animals to stray into human habitations for sustenance.

Context-

• Vulnerability of tribal communities living in such areas. While they have intricate knowledge of the forest and its resources, they lack the protective measures and resources available to more urbanized populations, leaving them more susceptible to the dangers of wildlife encounters.

Human-animal conflict in Kerala-

• Increased Conflict Incidents in Kerala: The state has witnessed a surge in human-animal conflicts across its districts, mainly due to extensive forest cover and settlements close to wildlife habitats.
• Rising Human Casualties: In 2023-24, Kerala experienced a notable increase in human fatalities, with 93 reported deaths compared to 98 in the previous year.
• Wayanad District as a Hotspot: Wayanad emerges as a focal point for human-animal conflicts, with 69 reported deaths occurring between 2011 and 2024, predominantly involving encounters with wild elephants and a tiger.
• Diverse Wildlife Involved: Kerala's conflicts entail a range of species, including elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, wild gaurs, wild boars, and monkeys, emphasizing the intricate challenge of managing conflicts across various ecosystems.
• Impact on Livelihoods: Human-wildlife conflicts severely impact livelihoods, particularly for agriculture-dependent communities. Attacks disrupt farming activities, leading to economic hardship and food insecurity.
• Vulnerability of Communities: Vulnerable groups like tribal communities and small-scale farmers bear the brunt of these conflicts. Limited resources and infrastructure exacerbate their susceptibility to wildlife attacks, exemplified by cases such as Abraham Palatt and his family.

Steps taken by Government to deal these issues – 

• State-Declared Disaster in Kerala: In March, Kerala made history by declaring human-animal conflict a state-specific disaster, signaling the seriousness and immediacy of the issue.
• Shift in Responsibility: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) now oversees the management of human-animal conflicts, with a committee led by the Chief Minister established for this purpose.
• Community Engagement: The government intends to engage local communities through neighborhood groups to bolster surveillance along forest perimeters. These groups will collaborate with governmental bodies and elected officials to issue alerts regarding wildlife presence.
• Enhanced Recruitment and Equipment: Efforts are underway to bolster surveillance by hiring additional forest watchers and setting up rapid response teams equipped with firearms, surveillance technology, drones, tranquilizer guns, and early warning systems.
• Cross-Border Collaboration: An inter-State coordination committee involving the Forest departments of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu has been established to collectively address human-wildlife conflicts. This collaborative effort aims to exchange information and resources to alleviate conflicts, especially along interstate boundaries.

Measures to address human-wildlife conflict-

• Enhancing Forest Quality: Improving forest quality by addressing fragmentation and patchiness fosters healthier ecosystems, fostering a more harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
• Conservation Engagement with Tribal Communities: Engaging tribal communities in conservation endeavors recognizes their participation and traditional wisdom, leading to collaborative efforts that promote sustainability and safeguard both biodiversity and livelihoods.
• Revitalizing Natural Forest Waterways: Restoring natural water sources in forests is critical for wildlife habitats and conflict mitigation, as it provides essential resources within their native environment.
• Combatting Invasive Species and Reintroducing Native Plants: Removing invasive plant species and reintroducing indigenous ones aids in ecological restoration, supporting native wildlife populations and reducing their dependence on human-affected areas.
• Utilizing MGNREGS for Conservation: Harnessing schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for conservation initiatives generates employment opportunities while contributing to environmental restoration projects.
• Promoting Responsible Tourism Awareness: Educating tourists on responsible conduct around wildlife minimizes conflicts arising from human disturbance, emphasizing maintaining a safe distance and respecting wildlife habitats.
• Establishing Effective Institutional Frameworks: Building robust institutional frameworks across various governance levels is crucial for coordinated action in managing human-wildlife conflicts. This involves collaboration between government departments, wildlife authorities, and local communities.

Conclusion-

Human-wildlife conflicts surge in Kerala, endangering lives and livelihoods. Government initiatives, community involvement, and conservation efforts are crucial for mitigating conflicts and fostering coexistence, ensuring a sustainable future for both humans and wildlife.

Source: Outlook

RBI finalises Omnibus Framework for SROs in regulated entities

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said it had finalised the Omnibus Framework for recognising Self-Regulatory Organisations (SRO) for its Regulated Entities.

The key features of the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO)- 

• Omnibus Framework Establishment: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has finalized a comprehensive framework for recognizing Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) for regulated entities. This framework outlines key parameters including objectives, responsibilities, eligibility criteria, governance standards, application process, and basic conditions for recognition.
• Sector-Specific Guidelines: Separate sector-specific guidelines will be issued by the relevant departments of the RBI for each sector where an SRO is proposed to be established. This ensures that SROs are tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of their respective sectors.
• Draft Framework and Public Consultation: A draft framework for SROs was released for public feedback. Based on the analysis of the received inputs, the omnibus framework has been finalized. This underscores a consultative approach in the formulation of the SRO framework.
• Credibility and Responsibility: SROs are mandated to function with credibility, objectivity, and responsibility under the supervision of the regulator. Their objective is to enhance regulatory compliance for the healthy and sustainable development of the sectors they serve.
• Transparency and Independence: SROs are expected to uphold principles of transparency, professionalism, and independence to instill greater confidence in the sector's integrity. Adherence to the highest governance standards is essential for the effectiveness of an SRO.

The significance of Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs)-

• Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: SROs establish and enforce industry standards and best practices, leading to improved regulatory compliance among member organizations. By setting clear guidelines and monitoring adherence to them, SROs help regulated entities maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Industry Integrity and Confidence: SROs play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing industry integrity and public confidence. By promoting transparency, professionalism, and ethical conduct, SROs contribute to building trust among stakeholders, including customers, investors, and regulatory authorities.
• Tailored Regulation: SROs can develop sector-specific regulations and standards that are tailored to the unique characteristics and challenges of their respective industries. This flexibility allows SROs to address industry-specific issues effectively, leading to more efficient regulation.
• Effective Self-Regulation: SROs enable industry participants to self-regulate by collaboratively developing and enforcing rules and standards. This approach can often be more responsive and adaptable than traditional government regulation, as SROs can quickly respond to emerging risks and market developments.
• Reduced Regulatory Burden: SROs can help alleviate the regulatory burden on government agencies by taking on certain regulatory functions. By delegating responsibilities such as rule-making, monitoring, and enforcement to SROs, regulators can focus their resources on overseeing broader market activities and addressing systemic risks.
• Innovation and Growth: SROs can foster innovation and growth within their industries by creating a supportive regulatory environment. By guiding emerging technologies and business models, SROs can encourage innovation while ensuring that it aligns with regulatory requirements and consumer protection standards.
• Expertise and Knowledge Sharing: SROs serve as repositories of industry expertise and knowledge, allowing members to benefit from collective insights and experiences. Through networking events, training programs, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, SROs facilitate collaboration and learning among industry participants.

Conclusion-

Self-Regulatory Organizations (SROs) enhance compliance, integrity, and tailored regulation. They enable effective self-regulation, reduce regulatory burden, foster innovation, and facilitate expertise sharing, ensuring sustainable industry growth and integrity.

Source: Business Standard

Critical Minerals

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

India is looking for cobalt and other critical minerals in Zambia, Namibia, Congo, Ghana and Mozambique. It is still engaging with Australia for lithium blocks.

• Critical minerals, including lithium and cobalt, are crucial for technology, manufacturing and other industries.

What are Critical Minerals?

• Critical minerals are elements that are crucial to modern-day technologies and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
• These minerals are mostly used in making electronic equipment such as mobile phones, computers, batteries, electric vehicles, and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
• Many of these are required to meet the manufacturing needs of green technologies, high-tech equipment, aviation, and national defence.
• List of critical minerals includes:
• The centre has released a list of 30 critical minerals for India in 2023:

1. Identified Minerals: Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, Platinum Group elements (PGE), Phosphorous, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium and Cadmium.
2. Fertilizer Minerals: Two minerals critical for fertilizer production, phosphorous and potash, are also included in the above list.

Critical Mineral Blocks in India

• Distribution: There are 20 blocks spread across eight states, including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Types of Licenses: Four blocks are for a Mining License (ML), allowing immediate mining post-clearance. The remaining 16 blocks are for a Composite License (CL), permitting further exploration before potentially converting to an ML.
• Approvals Required: Licensees must obtain various approvals, including forest clearance and environmental clearance.
• Forest Land: Approximately 17% of the total concession area, or 1,234 hectares, is forest land.

Source: The Hindu