01 Sep 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

01 September 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
GEOGRAPHY
1. India sees the lowest august rainfall in a century
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY
1. A progressive UCC must protect the child's best interests
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. Are natural disasters man-made?
F. Prelims Facts
1. Economy grows at 7.8%
2. After India, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia protest China map
3. Oncologist Ravi Kannan wins Ramon Magsaysay award
4. Chandrayaan finds plasma on moon
5. Fiscal deficit touched 33.9% of FY24 targets in July
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

Category: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. Are natural disasters man-made?

Syllabus: GS-3, Disaster and Disaster Management.

Mains: Are Disasters Anthropogenic or Natural? Suggest a policy to make India disaster-proof.

Introduction:

  • Natural disasters, such as floods and landslides, occur regularly and can have devastating consequences.
  • In many cases, the extent of damage and loss of life associated with these disasters is exacerbated by poor planning and human actions.
  • This raises the question of to what extent natural disasters can be considered man-made, given the influence of human activities on their severity and impact.

The Role of Human Actions:

  • Man-made factors play a significant role in amplifying the scale and impact of natural disasters.
  • Vulnerable populations, often marginalized and at higher risk, require specific attention and tailored solutions.
  • The need for collective and bottom-up approaches is emphasized to address the challenges posed by natural disasters effectively.

Anthropogenic Climate Change:

  • Human activities, particularly those contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, have been instrumental in causing anthropogenic climate change.
  • This global phenomenon has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards, such as heavy rains and extreme weather events.
  • In addition to climate change, human actions include building on floodplains, encroaching on water bodies, and planning cities without considering sustainability, all of which contribute to the vulnerability to natural disasters.
  • While humans are not solely responsible for these disasters, they have played a significant role in exacerbating the problem. Recognizing this responsibility is crucial for finding solutions and learning from past mistakes.

Evolution of Disaster Preparedness:

  • India has a long history of facing natural disasters, predating the emergence of climate change as a catalyst for such events.
  • Urbanization and population density have transformed natural landscapes, leading to changes in disaster patterns.
  • Government agencies responsible for regulating urban development and planning must adapt to these changing landscapes.
  • The case of Mumbai illustrates varying levels of disaster preparedness, where the city has made efforts to address flooding issues compared to other areas like Delhi, which faces recurrent floods.

Balancing Development and Sustainability:

  • Development often translates into infrastructure growth, which is necessary for economic progress and improving the quality of life for citizens.
  • However, sustainable development should encompass not only economic factors but also considerations for society and the environment.
  • Achieving sustainability requires careful urban planning, with a focus on environmental implications, to avoid exacerbating natural disaster risks.

Challenges in Implementing Knowledge:

  • While knowledge about natural disasters exists, it is not static and continues to evolve.
  • One common challenge is the underestimation of disaster risks due to incomplete or outdated data and a lack of robust infrastructure for data collection and monitoring.
  • For example, in the Himalayan region, there is a limited understanding of rainfall patterns and risks due to an inadequate observational network.
  • The availability and accuracy of data play a crucial role in estimating and mitigating disaster risks.

The Disconnect in Decision-Making:

  • India has institutions dedicated to monitoring and understanding the climate crisis, including rainfall patterns and disaster risks.
  • However, the disconnect arises in the decision-making process, where political, economic, and developmental interests may conflict with environmental preservation.
  • Decision-makers must consider long-term risk assessments, vulnerability assessments, and socioeconomic factors when planning for disaster resilience.
  • Bridging this gap requires the involvement of experts from both public and private agencies to develop modern solutions that align with current disaster risks and challenges. Ultimately, political will plays a crucial role in implementing these solutions effectively.

Nut Graf: In the face of escalating natural disasters, including floods, landslides, and droughts across India, it is needed to know the extent to which human activities and anthropogenic climate change contribute to the severity of these calamities. It is suggested to consider the evolution of disaster preparedness, making a delicate balance between development and sustainability, removing obstacles in implementing knowledge, and the critical role of informed decision-making in mitigating disaster risks.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Economy grows at 7.8%

  • Growth in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Gross Value Added (GVA) in the economy sped to a four-quarter high of 7.8% in the first quarter of this financial year.
  • But economists worry that a weak monsoon, high inflation and global headwinds could temper the pace of growth through the rest of 2023-24.
  • Manufacturing GVA grew for the second quarter in a row, after half a year of contraction, with the pace of growth picking up slightly to 4.7% in the first quarter (Q1) of the year, from 4.5% in the previous quarter. 
  • Agriculture, forestry and fishing GVA grew 3.5% between April and June, but it was the services sectors that saw the sharpest surge and lifted the estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
Economy grows at 7.8

Image source: The Hindu

2. After India, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia protest China map

  • The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia released separate statements voicing their opposition to China’s new “standard map” for 2023, which has also drawn a strong protest from India.
  • But China again defended the issuing of the map on August 28, when asked about the protests from India, Malaysia and the Philippines. 
  • The authorities of China routinely publish standard maps of various types every year, which aim to make standard maps available to all sectors of society and raise public awareness of the standardised use of maps.
  • The map showed within China’s borders all of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin, as well as the entire South China Sea. While these were also displayed on previous versions of China’s official map, the issuing of the new map has been seen by China’s neighbours as complicating territorial disputes that are being negotiated.
  • The Philippines Foreign Ministry in a statement said it “rejects” the 2023 version of China’s “standard map” and the inclusion of the so-called nine-dash line.
  • This latest attempt to legitimize China’s purported sovereignty and jurisdiction over Philippine features and maritime zones has no basis under international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • The Malaysian government also protested against the map, saying it “rejects” the map “which shows unilateral claims to Malaysia’s maritime territory” including parts of the Malaysian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • ‘Respect UN norms’
    • Indonesia was the third ASEAN country to issue a statement, saying “the drawing of territorial lines, including in the 2023 Edition of the Standard Map of China, must be in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).”
    • Any line drawn and any claims made must be in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS.
    • India lodged a strong protest over the map and described it as making “absurd claims” on its territory.

3. Oncologist Ravi Kannan wins Ramon Magsaysay award

  • Surgical oncologist R. Ravi Kannan, Director of the Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) in Assam, is one of the Ramon Magsaysay award winners for 2023.
  • He is credited with revolutionising cancer treatment in Assam through people-centric and pro-poor healthcare.
  • Dr. Kannan hails from Chennai, where he earlier worked at the Cancer Institute, Adyar, before moving to Silchar in 2007. He became the Director of the CCHRC in 2022.

Read more on the Ramon Magsaysay Awards here.

4. Chandrayaan finds plasma on moon

  • A payload on board Chandrayaan-3’s lander, Vikram, has completed the first in situ measurements of the surface-bound lunar plasma environment over the south polar region. 
  • The Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere-Langmuir Probe (RAMBHA-LP) is a device used for characterising plasma.
  • The initial assessment indicates that the plasma encompassing the lunar surface is relatively sparse, characterised by a number density ranging from approximately 5 to 30 million electrons per cubic metre. 
  • This evaluation specifically pertains to the early stages of the lunar daytime. 
  • The probe operates without interruption, aiming to explore the changes occurring in the near-surface plasma environment throughout the lunar day.

5. Fiscal deficit touched 33.9% of FY24 targets in July

  • The Centre’s fiscal deficit in the first four months of 2023-24 touched 33.9% of the full-year target, government data showed.
  • In absolute terms, the fiscal deficit or the gap between expenditure and revenue was ₹6.06 lakh crore as of end-July, according to the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
  • The deficit stood at 20.5% of the Budget Estimates (BE) in the corresponding period of FY23.
  • In the Union Budget, the government projected to bring down the fiscal deficit to 5.9% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in FY24. The deficit stood at 6.40% of the GDP in 2022-23 against the earlier estimate of 6.71%.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With reference to Gross Value Added (GVA), which statements is/are incorrect?
  1. GVA measures the total value of goods and services produced in an economy.
  2. It is calculated by subtracting intermediate consumption from the output.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: Both statements are correct. Gross Value Added (GVA) is the total value of goods and services produced after deducting intermediate consumption. 

Q2. With reference to the Ramon Magsaysay Award, consider the following statements:
  1. It is presented annually to individuals or organizations in Asia who have made significant contributions to various fields.
  2. It is no longer being given in fixed award categories, except for Emergent Leadership, since 2009.
  3. Surgical oncologist R. Ravi Kannan is one of the Ramon Magsaysay Award winners for 2023. 

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: All three statements are correct.

Q3. The ‘Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA-LP)’ 
recently in the news, is related to
  1. It is studying ambient electron density and temperature near the lunar surface.
  2. It measures seismicity around the landing site.
  3. It will test communication signals between the Earth and the Moon.
  4. Analyzing lunar rock samples for mineral composition.
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: RAMBHA-LP is designed for in-situ measurements of electron density and temperature near the lunar surface and for studying plasma evolution.

Q4. With reference to fiscal deficit, which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. It represents the excess of government expenditure over total revenue.
  2. Fiscal deficit indicates the extent to which the government needs to borrow to meet its expenses.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation: Both statements are correct.

Q5. Consider the following countries:
  1. China
  2. Vietnam
  3. Malaysia
  4. Philippines
  5. Laos
  6. Brunei

How many of the above-mentioned countries or territories have borders with the South China Sea?

  1. Only two
  2. Only three
  3. Only four
  4. Only five
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation: Countries or territories which have borders with the South China Sea are – China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam.

IAS General Studies Notes Links
Political Map Of India 2021

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