Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS

Daily Current Affair - UPSC/KAS Exams - 23rd September 2021

About :

The Kodavas -

• Patrilineal ethno-lingual community from the region of Kodagu
• Traditionally land-owning agriculturists with martial customs.
• Only ones in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
• Worship weapons during the 'Kailpodh' festival

What is in news : The High Court of Karnataka upheld the constitutional validity of exemption from some of the provisions of the Arms Act to “every person of Coorg race and every Jamma tenure-holder in Coorg”.

Details :

• The court said that the exemption under section 41 of the Arms Act satisfies the test of reasonable classification under Article 14 of the Constitution.
• It was argued that the gun, Odikathi (a small broad bladed sword) and the Prechakathi (a type of dagger) are as much a part of the life of a Kodava as the Kirpan is for Sikhs.
• The petitioner had contended that the very classification and use of the term ‘Coorg race’ promotes discrimination between the citizens of Coorg region on the ground of caste and violates Articles 14 and 15 of the constitution.

What is in news : In order to harness the vast export potential of Karnataka, and as a part of the series of programmes being organized by APEDA under the “Aazadi Ka Amrith Mahotsav” celebrations, APEDA Bangalore Regional Office organized an “Exporters Conclave” cum Exhibition in Bangalore

MAHITI FOR PRELIMS

APEDA

• Statutory Body
• Under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India
• Nodal agency for promoting Indian agro and processed food exports and is responsible for facilitating and promoting export of horticulture, floriculture, processed food, poultry products, dairy and other agro products.
• Has taken number of export promotion activities and initiatives, by way of development of virtual portals for organizing Virtual Trade Fairs, Farmer Connect Portal, e-office, Hortinet Traceability system, Buyer Seller Meets, Reverse Buyer Seller Meets, product specific campaigns etc.
• Closely working with state government for creating infrastructure and promotion of export from the state.

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

What is in news : The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its first-ever update since 2005, has tightened global air pollution standards in recognition of the emerging science in the past decade that the impact of air pollution on health is much more serious than earlier envisaged.

What are the changes :

What is National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

• Standards for the quality of air by CPCB under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
• Current NAAQS were notified by CPCB in the year 2009.
• Pollutants covered under NAAQS are Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter (PM 10, PM 2.5), Ozone (O3), Lead (Pb), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ammonia (NH3), Benzene (C6H6), Benzo(a)Pyrene (BaP), Arsenic(As), Nickel (Ni).

What is in news : Kovalam beach in Tamil Nadu and Eden beach in Puducherry recieve ‘Blue Flag’ certification for 2021

Details :

• With the addition of two beaches, the total number of such beaches in India have reached to 10.
• Blue Flag recertification was also done for eight nominated beaches namely, Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Diu, Kasarkod & Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman & Nicobar. All these beaches were awarded this certificate in the year 2021.

BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION

• Is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by “Foundation for Environment Education in Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria.
• Run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation the ‘Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
• Was started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.
• Neat and clean beaches are an indicator that the coastal environment is in good health Is a global recognition of India’s conservation and sustainable development efforts.
• Indication of 100% compliance to these 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach.

MAHITI FOR MAINS : THREATS TO SUNDERBANS

About :

• Sundarbans is vast contiguous mangrove forest ecosystem in the coastal region of Bay of Bengal spread across India and Bangladesh.
• It covers approximately 10,000 square kilometres of area of which 60% is in Bangladesh and remaining in India.
• Located in delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins.
• Largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.
• Was recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
• Known for Royal Bengal Tiger and other numerous species of animals, including Chital Deer, Crocodile and Snakes.

Threats

• FISHERIES :
  • In Indian Sundarbans, conversion of shoreline mangroves to shrimp farms and other pisciculture farms is very popular and it is the main source of income for the local people. However, these livelihoods come at the cost of frequent clearing of the shorelines once occupied by native mangrove species
  • The building of dykes for the protection of coastal villages from tidal aggression/storm surges is another major cause that makes mangrove communities across the estuarine shorelines in the settlement regions of the Sundarbans, the most vulnerable targets of destruction.
• BUILDING OF DYKES : The building of dykes for the protection of coastal villages from tidal aggression/storm surges is another major cause that makes mangrove communities across the estuarine shorelines in the settlement regions of the Sundarbans, the most vulnerable targets of destruction.
• POLLUTION : Waste discharges from the trawlers, fishing boats and cargoes, unchecked sludge disposal from the industries add to already contaminated water in the rivers of the Sundarbans delta.

CONSERVATION

• Local actions are needed to protect the banks from erosion.
• Strengthening the mangroves with endemic species that can thrive in changing salinity conditions can provide co-benefits to local communities.
• Ecotourism holds the potential to raise awareness and funds for the conservation.
• International climate finance to be channelled to India and Bangladesh for the region’s preservation.
• Climate research and social science have a synergistic role in giving the Sundarbans a greater chance of survival.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

Present News : The 13th BRICS summit was be held on September 9 in digital format under India’s chairmanship.

BRICS :

• BRICS is an acronym for 5 emerging economies of the world viz. – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• The term BRIC was coined by Jim O’ Neil, the then chairman of Goldman Sachs in 2001.
• The first BRIC summit took place in the year 2009 in Yekaterinburg (Russia).
• Launched by a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2006 and riding on the political synergy created by regular summits since 2009, BRIC turned itself into BRICS in 2010, with the entry of South Africa.
• It represents 42% of the world’s population, 30% of the land area, 24% of global GDP and 16% of international trade.

PRESENT PRIORITIES

• The first is to pursue reform of multilateral institutions ranging from the United Nations, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to the World Trade Organization and now even the World Health Organization.
• The second is the resolve to combat terrorism. Terrorism is an international phenomenon affecting Europe, Africa, Asia and other parts of the world.
• Promoting Technological and Digital Solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Expanding People-to-people Cooperation, However, enhancing people-to-people cooperation will have to wait for international travel to revive. Interactions through digital means are not a full substitute of in person meetings.

ISSUES

• Issues within grouping : Example - China's aggression in eastern Ladakh
• Diverse interests possess a threat to the viability of the grouping
• Balancing trade deficit with China
• Not Been Effective

WAY FORWARD

• BRICS need to shed the centrality from China and create a better internal balance, reinforced by the urgent need for diversification and strengthening of regional value chains, all exposed during the pandemic.
• BRICS nations need to recalibrate their approach and to recommit to their founding ethos. BRICS must reaffirm their commitment to a multi-polar world that allows for sovereign equality and democratic decision making.
• BRICS should consider a BRICS-led effort to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change and the UN's sustainable development goals. This could include e.g. setting up a BRICS energy alliance and an energy policy institution.
• BRICS nations should strive for peaceful and politico-diplomatic settlement of crisis and conflict in various regions of the world.

• Kharif crops or monsoon crops or autumn crops are domesticated plants and are cultivated & harvested in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh during the monsoon season in Indian subcontinent. Monsoon lasts from June to November.
• Monsoon rains starts as early as May in some parts of the Indian subcontinent. These crops are usually harvested from the third Week of September to October. Major Kharif Crops in India include- Rice, maize, and cotton.