UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 10th September 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS3/Defence & Security

Challenges to Road Safety in India

Source: The Hindu

Road safety remains a critical public health issue in India, with a high number of fatalities and injuries resulting from road accidents every year. The "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024," prepared by the TRIP Centre at IIT Delhi, sheds light on the slow progress made in reducing road accident deaths and emphasizes the need for focused interventions. This article delves into the key findings of the report, the current state of road safety in India, and potential strategies for improvement.

Background:

• Road safety is a pressing public health concern in India, characterized by a significant number of road accident-related deaths and injuries annually.
• The "India Status Report on Road Safety 2024" highlights the slow pace of progress in mitigating road accident fatalities, underscoring the necessity for targeted interventions.

The Current State of Road Safety in India:

• Disparities in Road Accident Death Rates:
  • Significant variations in road accident death rates exist among Indian states.
  • States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh report death rates exceeding 17 per 100,000 people.
  • Conversely, states such as West Bengal and Bihar have lower rates, around 5.9 per 100,000 people.
  • Road traffic injuries remain a major cause of death and health loss, ranking as the 13th leading cause of death in 2021.
  • In six states, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, road injuries were among the top ten causes of health loss.
• Vulnerability of Motorcyclists and Pedestrians:
  • Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists are notably at risk for road accidents.
  • Low helmet usage among two-wheeler riders significantly contributes to fatality rates, with only seven states reporting over half of riders wearing helmets.
  • Trucks are frequently involved in fatal accidents, adding to the overall death toll on Indian roads.
• Lack of Road Safety Measures:
  • Many states lack basic traffic safety measures such as traffic calming mechanisms, road markings, and signage, particularly in rural areas.
  • Few states have conducted thorough audits of their highways to evaluate road safety, resulting in many roads having inadequate safety infrastructure.
• Trauma Care and Response:
  • The limited availability of trauma care facilities is a significant concern, especially in rural areas where timely medical assistance post-accident is often insufficient.
  • This lack of infrastructure contributes to a higher rate of fatalities due to delayed critical care.
• Importance of Crash Surveillance:
  • A major obstacle to improving road safety is the absence of a robust national crash surveillance system.
  • Current data is gathered from First Information Reports (FIRs) at police stations, leading to basic analyses that often contain inaccuracies.
  • The report advocates for a comprehensive national database for fatal crashes to facilitate better analysis of road safety risks and effective interventions.

India’s Global Road Safety Standing:

• When compared to developed nations, India's road safety record is concerning.
• In 1990, an Indian was 40% more likely to die in a road accident than someone from countries like Sweden; by 2021, this disparity had escalated to 600%.
• While Scandinavian countries have made significant strides in road safety governance, India's progress has been sluggish, leading to a sharp rise in fatalities.
• The report questions whether equipping vehicles with advanced safety features alone is sufficient to resolve India's road safety issues.
• Focusing on vulnerable road users, such as two-wheeler riders, pedestrians, and cyclists, is crucial since they account for most fatalities.

Way Forward - Strategies to Improve Road Safety:

• Scale-Up of Road Safety Interventions:
  • The report stresses the need for both central and state governments to prioritize and enhance road safety measures.
  • Efforts should include better traffic calming, proper signage, and strict helmet enforcement, particularly in rural areas where these measures are often overlooked.
• Establishment of a National Crash Database:
  • Creating a publicly accessible national database for road crashes is vital to understanding the specific risks faced by various road users.
  • This initiative would improve data collection accuracy and help policymakers tailor interventions based on real-time information.
• Improving Trauma Care Infrastructure:
  • Enhancing trauma care facilities and ensuring rapid medical responses after accidents are essential for decreasing fatalities.
  • Investing in healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural regions, can significantly lower the death toll from road accidents.

GS3/Economy

Copper Production in India

Source: Business Standard

Why in News?

India's copper production has experienced a decline, dropping to 3.78 million tonnes (Mt) in FY24 from 4.13 Mt in FY19, amid rising global demand. Consequently, the imports of copper concentrates have surged to Rs 26,000 crore in FY24, highlighting India's increasing dependence on overseas sources for copper supply.

Copper Metal and its Reserves in India:

Characteristics of Copper:

• Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal known for its exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity.
• It is one of the few metals found in its natural state as metallic copper, which is referred to as native copper.
• Copper is a vital non-ferrous base metal with diverse industrial applications including defense, space exploration, railways, power cables, and telecommunication cables.
• India possesses approximately 2% of the global copper reserves.
• The most significant reserves, totaling 813 million tonnes (53.81% of India's total), are located in Rajasthan, followed by Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.
• The Khetri Mine in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, is one of India's largest copper mines.
• Other states with copper reserves include Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Odisha.

Copper Ore Production in India:

• India's copper production accounts for about 2% of the world's total output, indicating a lack of self-sufficiency in copper ore production.
• The domestic demand for copper and its alloys is fulfilled through a combination of local production, scrap recycling, and imports.
• India also imports copper concentrates to support its smelting facilities.
• In the copper value chain, copper concentrate is processed into copper anodes, which are further refined into copper cathodes essential for producing rods, sheets, wires, and other products.
• Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is the only integrated company in India focused on mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining, and casting of refined copper.
• Major private sector players like Hindalco Industries Ltd and Vedanta Limited mainly rely on imported copper concentrates, owning mines in other countries.

Current Status of Copper Ore Production in India:

• Exploration Challenges:
  • India's copper ore reserves are estimated at 208 Mt, predominantly of low grade.
  • Extensive exploration is required to convert the total resources of 1.51 billion tonnes into viable mining reserves.
  • The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) manages mineral block explorations in India.
  • A lack of private sector participation and insufficient exploration over the past decade has slowed new mine developments.
  • Only two copper exploration projects were approved by NMET in FY23 and FY24.
  • In 2023, the Ministry of Mines revised regulations to promote private exploration of critical minerals like copper.
• Increasing Dependence on Imports:
  • Copper is recognized as a critical mineral, essential for clean energy technologies such as wind turbines and electric vehicle batteries, amplifying India's reliance on imports.
  • Efforts are being made to develop new import sources in copper-rich nations like Mongolia and to invest in mines in Zambia and Chile, with significant collaboration between private entities and the Ministry of Mines to secure India’s copper supply chain.

GS3/Environment

The role of district Agro- Meteorology offices in supporting farmer

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

According to media reports, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is planning to revive District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme. The IMD initially established 199 DAMUs in 2018 in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These units were created to utilize weather data for generating and distributing sub-district-level agricultural advisories to help farmers make informed decisions. However, in March, the IMD ordered the shutdown of DAMUs. The revival plan is now aimed at reinstating these units to support agricultural activities using weather-based insights.

About

The GKMS scheme is an initiative by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) aimed at providing weather-based agricultural advisories to farmers. The primary goal is to enhance farmers' decision-making related to agricultural activities, thus helping them mitigate risks due to adverse weather conditions and improve crop productivity.

Features

• Weather Forecasts: The IMD generates medium-range weather forecasts for various agricultural regions at both district and sub-district levels. These forecasts generally cover a period of 5-7 days and include key parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction.
• Agro-meteorological Advisory Services (AAS): The IMD provides weather-based bulletins designed to assist farmers in managing their crops and livestock. These advisories are available in local languages to ensure accessibility.
• Dissemination: The advisories are communicated to farmers through multiple channels, including SMS, mobile applications, radio broadcasts, television, and local government bodies. As part of the GKMS scheme, DAMUs were established to decentralize the analysis of weather data and the dissemination of advisories at the sub-district level.
• The DAMU project is a collaborative effort between the IMD and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• The primary function of a DAMU is to support farm planners and farmers by offering advance weather information.
• This is achieved through block-level agro-meteorological advisory bulletins, which aid farmers in their daily agricultural operations, reduce crop losses, and promote the efficient use of land and natural resources.

Importance of DAMU

• Around 80% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, heavily depending on rain-fed agriculture, which is increasingly affected by climate change.
• Experts stress the necessity of providing farmers with weather information due to changing monsoon patterns, prolonged dry spells, and intense rainfall.
• DAMUs, situated within Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), are vital in utilizing weather data from the IMD to formulate agricultural advisories.
• These advisories, which cover crucial activities such as sowing, irrigation, and alerts for extreme weather, are distributed to millions of farmers at no cost, in local languages, twice weekly.
• Dissemination occurs via text messages, WhatsApp, newspapers, and in-person communication, helping farmers plan more effectively and reduce risks.
• A policy brief by the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) highlighted the positive effects of DAMUs in areas like Kalyana-Karnataka.
• In this region, localized advisories have enhanced farmers' capacity to respond to climate variations, resulting in increased yields and incomes.

Why were DAMUs shut down?

According to a report, NITI Aayog misrepresented the role of District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) and advocated for their privatization. NITI Aayog falsely claimed that agro-meteorological data was automated, therefore undermining the essential contribution of DAMU staff in preparing block-level agricultural advisories based on IMD weather data. Moreover, NITI Aayog proposed monetizing agro-meteorological services, which are currently offered free of charge to all farmers.

GS2/International Relations

Visit of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is on a two-day official visit to India. This marks his first visit to India as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

India – UAE Bilateral Relationship

• Diplomatic relations between India and the UAE were established in 1972, leading to a significant enhancement in their ties over the years.
• In January 2017, both countries signed the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, which has strengthened their bilateral relations through various high-level exchanges.
• UAE extended an invitation to India as the "Guest of Honour" during the inaugural plenary of the 46th Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in February 2019.
• During PM Modi's third visit to the UAE in August 2019, he was honored with the highest civilian award from the UAE, the 'Order of Zayed.'
• In April 2019, the foundation stone for the first traditional Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi was laid.
• In February 2022, PM Modi and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a Virtual Summit, issuing a Joint Vision Statement titled "Advancing the India and UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: New Frontiers, New Milestone."
• During India's presidency of G-20, the UAE was the guest country, emphasizing the importance of their partnership.

Trade Relation

• The trade volume between India and the UAE surged to USD 85 billion in 2022-23, positioning the UAE as India's third-largest trading partner after China and the US.
• In terms of exports, the UAE ranks as India's second-largest destination, with exports valued at nearly USD 31.61 billion in 2022-23.
• The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed in February 2022 during the India-UAE Virtual Summit, covering nearly all tariff lines in trade.

Investment

• Following the signing of CEPA, the UAE emerged as the fourth-largest investor in India in 2022-23, up from the seventh position in 2021-22.
• The UAE has committed to investing USD 75 billion in India's infrastructure sector over time.
• The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, the UAE's main Sovereign Wealth Fund, has invested USD 1 billion in the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF).

Trade settlement in local currencies

• During PM Modi's visit to Abu Dhabi in July 2023, both countries agreed to initiate trade settlements in their local currencies.
• An MoU was signed between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the UAE Central Bank to promote local currency usage for cross-border transactions.
• This MoU establishes a Local Currency Settlement System (LCSS) to facilitate the bilateral use of INR and AED.

Linking of Fast Payment Systems

• India and the UAE agreed to connect the Indian Unified Payments Interface with the UAE's Instant Payment Platform (IPP) in July 2023.

IIT Delhi to open campus in Abu Dhabi

• In 2023, India signed an MoU with the Education and Knowledge Department of Abu Dhabi to establish an IIT Delhi campus in the region.

NRI Remittances

• The large Indian community in the UAE contributes significantly to remittances, with 18% of India's total remittances coming from this community based on 2020-21 data.

Energy Cooperation

• In 2017, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed an MoU with the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd. (ISPRL) to set up a strategic crude oil reserve in Mangalore, Karnataka.
• ADNOC is also exploring options to store crude oil at ISPRL's underground facilities in Karnataka.
• An Indian consortium led by ONGC, along with Indian Oil and Bharat PetroResources, has secured a 10% stake in the Lower Zakum Concession.

Indian Community

• The Indian expatriate population in the UAE, approximately 3.5 million, represents the largest ethnic group, making up about 35% of the UAE's total population.
• Of this community, around 35% consists of qualified professionals, businesspersons, and other skilled workers.

Key highlights of the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India

• MoUs/Agreements signed during the visit
  • An MoU on Nuclear Cooperation was signed between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) to enhance collaboration in the operation and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.
  • This agreement includes sourcing nuclear goods and services from India and exploring mutual investment opportunities.
  • An agreement for long-term LNG supply was established between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited for 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of LNG.
  • This is the third contract of its kind signed within a year.
  • An MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) aims to explore ADNOC's participation in additional crude storage opportunities in India.
  • This builds on ADNOC’s existing involvement in crude storage at ISPRL’s Mangalore facility since 2018.
  • The Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 was signed between Urja Bharat (a joint venture of IOCL and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd) and ADNOC, marking the first such agreement for any Indian company in the UAE.
  • This concession allows Urja Bharat to export crude oil to India, enhancing India's energy security.
  • An MoU was established between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) focusing on food parks development in India.
  • This agreement highlights the expanding cooperation between India and the UAE, addressing both energy and food security.
• Other highlights
  • A soft launch for the commencement of work on the India-UAE virtual trade corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface to facilitate VTC is scheduled for September 10.

GS3/Environment

Myristica Swamps

Source: The Hindu

Why in  News?

A group of researchers recently discovered a Myristica swamp forest in Kumbral, Maharashtra, which is protected by the local community.

About Myristica Swamps:

• These are freshwater swamps that are mainly filled with evergreen trees from the Myristicaceae family.
• They are often called living fossils because the Myristica plants have very ancient characteristics.
• With an evolutionary history of about 140 million years, these swamps are important for studying evolution.
• The forests feature trees with large roots that stick out of the waterlogged soil, which stays wet all year long.
• Geographical distribution: In India, these special habitats can be found in the Western Ghats, with smaller areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya.
• Historically, they created a large network of water systems throughout the Western Ghats.
• Climatic conditions: The existence of these swamps depends on various factors, including the shape of the valley between the hills and the amount of rainfall (about 3000 mm on average) and the availability of water all year round.
• Typically, Myristica swamps are found near rivers, helping to retain water and acting like a sponge to ensure a constant water supply.
• These forests are better at sequestering carbon compared to regular forests.
• The swamps are home to many species of both vertebrates and invertebrates, thanks to stable environmental conditions like high humidity, moderate temperatures, and plenty of habitat.
• An example of wildlife found here is the Myristica Swamp Treefrog (Mercurana myristicapalustris), which has only been found in a few areas of the Shendurney and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala.

GS3/Science and Technology

Photoelectric Effect

Source: The Hindu

Why in  News?

Researchers are breathing new life into the phenomenon of photoelectric effect, which is paving way for better imaging of proteins and viruses, gaining a deeper understanding of biochemical reactions and choosing new materials for next-generation electronics.

About Photoelectric Effect:

• Photoelectric effect is a process where electrons are released from a material's surface when it is exposed to light with enough energy. 
•  When light particles, called photons, strike the surface of a material, typically a metal, they give their energy to the electrons. 
•  If the energy from the photons is high enough, it can cause the electrons to be emitted from the material. 
•  The energy needs to exceed the electron's binding energy, known as the work function, for the electron to escape from the surface of the material. 
•  Any extra energy from the photon, after overcoming the work function, is turned into the motion energy, or kinetic energy, of the emitted electron. 
•  A material that can show this effect is called photoemissive, and the electrons that are emitted are referred to as photoelectrons. 
•  The photoelectric effect was first discovered in 1887 by the German physicist Heinrich Rudolf Hertz. 
•  This effect is important for understanding the quantum nature of light, as it shows that light has both wave-like and particle-like characteristics. 
•  This dual nature is a key concept in quantum mechanics, demonstrating how light can behave like both waves and individual particles. 
•  Understanding the photoelectric effect has significant effects in many scientific and technological areas, including the creation of photovoltaic cells and advanced imaging technologies. 

GS1/Geography

Paraguay River

Source: The Print

Why in News?

A powerful drought in the Amazon rainforest led to the lowest water levels on the Paraguay River in more than a century.

About Paraguay River:

• The Paraguay River is the fifth largest river in South America.
• It flows for about 1,584 miles (2,549 kilometers) starting from its source in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso in the Brazilian Highlands.
• The river meets the Paraná River, where it is the main tributary, just north of Corrientes in Argentina.
• It passes through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina.
• The river acts as a natural border, especially between Paraguay and Brazil, as well as between Paraguay and Argentina.
• The Pantanal, one of the most untouched and biologically diverse areas on Earth, is located in the Upper Paraguay River Basin.
• The Pantanal is also recognized as the world’s largest tropical wetland.
• Along with the Paraná and Uruguay Rivers, the Paraguay River is part of the second largest drainage system in the world, covering around 1.6 million square miles.
• These rivers flow into the Rio de la Plata estuary, discharging water at a rate of 2.8 million cubic feet per second, which is the second highest outflow after the Amazon River.
• Eventually, these rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean.

GS3/Defence and Security

INS Malpe and INS Mulki

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Two anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft vessels (ASWCWC) of the Indian Navy, INS Malpe and INS Mulki, were recently launched at Cochin Shipyard.

About INS Malpe and INS Mulki:

• There are two indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercrafts (ASWCWC) for the Indian Navy.
• This marks the fourth and fifth ASWCWC constructed for the Navy.
• The vessels are built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
• These ships are part of the Mahe Class and will take the place of the existing Abhay Class ASW Corvettes in the Indian Navy.
• Features:
• 
  
  • The vessels can perform anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-intensity maritime and mine-laying operations.
  • They are also capable of sub-surface surveillance and search and rescue operations.
  • Each vessel measures 78.0 meters in length and 11.36 meters in width, with a draft of approximately 2.7 meters.
  • The total weight is around 900 tonnes, with a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,800 nautical miles.
  • The ships are designed to accommodate indigenously developed, advanced SONARS for underwater monitoring.
  • They are equipped with light-weight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, a close-in weapon system, and remote-controlled guns.

GS1/ Indian Society

Key Facts about Pahadi Korwa Tribe

Source: PIB

Why in News?

As many as 54 settlements of the Pahadi Korwa community will be connected through roads in north Chhattisgarh under the Prime Minister JANMAN scheme, a government official said recently.

About Pahadi Korwa Tribe: