22 Feb 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Let’s proceed with IMEC despite the Gaza war, says the Greek PM
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Electoral season and restructuring the health system
ENVIRONMENT
1. An undeclared war with nature
F. Prelims Facts
1. Centre increases Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane
2. Government approves 100% FDI in the space sector
3. Astronomers find the small, hot helium stars they had been looking for
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: ENVIRONMENT

1. An undeclared war with nature

Syllabus: GS-3, Conservation

Mains: Reason for increasing Human and Wildlife conflict and possible solution 

Introduction:

• Wayanad district in Kerala is experiencing a growing conflict between humans and wildlife, evidenced by recent tragic events involving elephant attacks on humans.
• This conflict reflects broader ecological imbalances in the region, exacerbated by human encroachment into wildlife habitats.

Loss of Wildlife Corridors:

• A study conducted by the Wildlife Trust of India in 2005 identified 88 elephant corridors, but over the years, many of these corridors have been encroached upon by human activities.
• Agricultural fields, tea estates, human settlements, highways, and ecotourism spaces have replaced these corridors, leading to increased wildlife raids in human-inhabited areas.

Impact on Human Lives and Agriculture:

• Wayanad has witnessed a significant number of human deaths and crop losses due to wildlife attacks, particularly by elephants.
• Between 2017 and 2023, there were over 20,000 cases of crop loss and 1,559 domestic animal deaths attributed to wildlife incursions, severely affecting the agriculture sector.

Factors Contributing to Ecological Degradation:

• The conversion of forest lands for non-forest use, including monoculture plantations and tourism development, has disrupted natural ecosystems.
• Monoculture plantations, pesticide usage, quarrying, and deforestation activities have further degraded soil quality, impacting crop yields and exacerbating ecological disturbances.

Role of Government and Conservation Efforts:

• The expansion of the tourism industry, coupled with inadequate forest management practices, has worsened ecological degradation in Wayanad.
• While the government has announced initiatives like the Operation Jumbo parade and the formation of a high-level panel, effective strategies and enforcement of conservation laws are essential for addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Conclusion: Urgent action is needed to restore ecological balance in Wayanad, including the enforcement of conservation laws, the establishment of coordinated efforts among states, and the prioritization of forest management and habitat restoration.

Nut Graf: Wayanad grapples with escalating human-wildlife conflict, exemplified by recent tragic incidents. Encroachment on wildlife corridors, agricultural losses, and ecological degradation underscore the urgent need for effective conservation measures and governmental intervention.

2. Government approves 100% FDI in the space sector

Context: The government has delineated FDI regulations for the space sector, stipulating that activities beyond 74% ownership will be under the government route. 

Issue: 

• Under the automatic route, up to 49% FDI is permissible for launch vehicles, associated systems, and spaceports. Beyond 49%, government clearance is mandatory. 
• Additionally, 100% FDI under the automatic route is allowed for manufacturing components and systems for satellites, ground segments, and user segments, aiming to bolster employment and technology absorption.
• This initiative aims to integrate Indian companies into global value chains and encourage local manufacturing facilities. The satellite sector is subdivided into three activities, each with specified foreign investment limits. 
• At present, the establishment and operation of satellites necessitate government approval for foreign investment. 

Significance: These measures underscore the government’s efforts to liberalize the space sector and foster self-reliance while encouraging foreign investment and technology transfer.

3. Astronomers find the small, hot helium stars they had been looking for

Context: Astronomers have recently made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a previously elusive class of stars predicted by scientific theories. 

About: 

• Led by assistant professor Maria Drout of the University of Toronto, the research team spent seven years meticulously cataloguing thousands of stars. 
• These unique stars, characterized by their hot, helium-covered cores, had long evaded detection despite predictions of their existence.
• The findings confirm fundamental astrophysical theories and shed light on the intricacies of stellar evolution. 
• By analyzing the spectra of stars, the team identified Class 1 stars with hydrogen-depleted, helium-rich cores, often found in binary systems.

Significance: This discovery not only deepens our understanding of stellar phenomena but also paves the way for further research into the lifecycle of stars and their potential to shape the universe. The breakthrough highlights the collaborative efforts of astronomers and the importance of long-term scientific inquiry in unravelling the mysteries of the cosmos.

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the PM-SVANidhi scheme:

Q2. GI-tagged handicraft product ‘Hmaram’ is associated with which state?

Q3. Trade Related Entrepreneurship Development Assistance Scheme (TREAD) seeks to?

Q4. The World Health Organization had prequalified the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to 
prevent which disease?

Q5. The provisions in the Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution 
of India are made in order to: [PYQ 2015]