PIB Summary- 4th April, 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Lok Sabha Passes the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024

Context

The Lok Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, establishing a legal framework for coastal trade.

It aims to enhance maritime transport, reducing congestion on roads and railways.

Key Provisions of the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024

• Creates a special law for coastal trade, replacing old rules from the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
• Aims to make coastal shipping more organized and efficient.

Licensing Rules for Foreign Ships

• Foreign ships can carry goods along India’s coast only with special permission from the Director General of Shipping.
• Ensures that Indian shipping companies get priority.

National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan

• Requires a detailed plan for improving coastal and inland water transport.
• The plan will be updated every two years to match future needs.

National Database for Coastal Shipping

• Sets up a database to track coastal trade and help in better decision-making.
• Helps in planning and improving efficiency.

Simplified Rules for Indian Ships

• Indian ships no longer need a general trading license, reducing paperwork.
• Makes it easier for companies to operate in coastal trade.

Support for Indian Shipbuilding and Jobs

• Encourages building more ships in India under ‘Make in India.’
• Creates jobs in shipbuilding, ports, and vessel operations.

Cooperation Between Center and States

• Ensures states and union territories are involved in planning and decision-making.

Faster Port Services

• Provides quicker berthing for coastal ships and faster environmental clearances.

Linking with National Logistics Policy

• Aligns with India’s logistics vision to reduce transport costs and improve trade.

Unravelling the Mysteries of Pope’s Pit Viper Venom: A deadly snake of North East India

Context

A new study reveals the venom composition of Pope’s Pit Viper, a snake found in northern and northeastern India. This research aids venom toxicity understanding and antivenom development.

Pope’s Pit Viper – Key Information

• Native Habitat: Found particularly in dense forests of northern and northeastern India, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Thailand.
• IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
• Physical Features: A striking green-colored pit viper with a slender body, triangular head, and heat-sensing pits near its eyes.
• Behavior: Arboreal (tree-dwelling) and nocturnal, active mostly at night.
• Diet: Feeds on small mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
• Venom Composition: Contains 106 proteins, including toxic enzymes like snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), serine proteases (SVSPs), and phospholipases A2.
• Effects of Venom: Causes bleeding, tissue damage, blood clotting issues, muscle injury, and inflammation.
• Medical Significance: No species-specific antivenom is available, making bites difficult to treat.
• Conservation Status: Not well-documented, but habitat loss poses a threat.

Seaweed: A Nutritional Powerhouse From The Ocean

Context

• India’s vast coastline holds immense potential for seaweed farming, which offers economic, nutritional, and environmental benefits.
• Government initiatives like PMMSY are promoting large-scale seaweed cultivation to enhance livelihoods and sustainability.

Introduction

• India has a 7,500 km-long coastline, offering vast potential for economic growth.
• Seaweed farming is becoming an important livelihood option for coastal communities.

What is Seaweed?

• Seaweed is a marine plant that grows in oceans and does not need land or freshwater.
• It is used in food, cosmetics, fertilizers, and medicine.
• Seaweed is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, making it a nutritious food.
• It helps fight diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart problems while boosting immunity.

Uses of Seaweed in Industries

• Alginate (US$ 213 million) – Used in food, cosmetics, and medical products.
• Agar (US$ 132 million) – Used in desserts, jams, and laboratory cultures.
• Carrageenan (US$ 240 million) – Used in dairy products, ice cream, and toothpaste.

Global Seaweed Market

• Seaweed has been consumed since ancient times, especially in Japan and China.
• The global seaweed industry is valued at US$ 5.6 billion.
• Emerging seaweed markets could grow by up to US$ 11.8 billion by 2030.

Seaweed Farming in India

• Out of 844 seaweed species in India, 60 are commercially valuable.
• The government supports seaweed farming through policies, funding, and research collaborations.
• Under the PMMSY scheme, ₹640 crore has been allocated for seaweed cultivation from 2020-2025.
• ₹194.09 crore is being used for major projects like a Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu and a Seaweed Brood Bank in Daman and Diu.
• India aims to produce 1.12 million tonnes of seaweed in five years.

Benefits of Seaweed Farming

• Supports Agriculture – Seaweed is used as a biostimulant to improve soil health and crop yield.
• Promotes Organic Farming – Encouraged under government schemes like PKVY and MOVCDNER.
• Environmental Benefits – Absorbs CO₂, cleans ocean water, and provides shelter for marine life.
• Economic Opportunities – Farmers can earn up to ₹13,28,000 per hectare per year.
• High Demand Products – Biofuels, fertilizers, and other seaweed-based products help India earn foreign currency.

Recent Developments

• Women Empowerment in Seaweed Farming – Coastal women have started their own businesses, creating employment and financial stability.
• Tissue Culture Technology – Advanced methods have increased seaweed production and quality.

Conclusion

• Seaweed farming provides jobs and additional income for coastal communities.
• With continued investment, seaweed farming can boost India’s economy and promote sustainability.