17 Feb 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Unravelling Tectonic Evolution
2. Medaram Jathara
3. Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy

1. Unravelling Tectonic Evolution

Syllabus: GS I, Important geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes

Prelims: Plate Tectonic Theory, Mohorovicic discontinuity, Earthquakes

Mains: Significance of the plate tectonic theories in the understanding of geomorphological events. 

Context: The tectonic evolution and the nature of the Greater Maldive Ridge have been traced by a group of researchers from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism which is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology. 

About the study:

• The important geodynamic features in the western Indian Ocean have been a part of several scientific debates. 
• The Maldive ridge is an aseismic ridge that is not involved with earthquake activities. 
• The ridge is located in the western Indian Ocean, southwest of India.
• This was for the first time that a study was carried out by a group of Indian researchers in the region.
• The Greater Maldive Ridge was mapped using high-resolution satellite driven gravity data.
• It has been postulated that the Maldive Ridge might have been subducted by an oceanic crust. 
• The study systematically mapped the depth to the boundary between the earth’s crust and the mantle which demarcates a discontinuity known as the Mohorovicic discontinuity. 

Observation:

• It was observed that the Moho discontinuity is deeper over the Maldive Ridge segment and shallows southwards in the Deep Sea Channel region. 
• The effective elastic thickness (a determining factor for the strength of the Lithosphere), denoted as Te, was lower in the Maldive Ridge compared to the Deep Sea Channel Region. 
• Effective Elastic Thickness –  It is the estimated thickness of the elastic plate that would respond to applied loads in a manner similar to that of the heterogeneous lithospheric plate.  

Inference:

• The researcher found a probability that the Maldive Ridge and the Deep Sea Channel region is oceanic in nature with the presence of underplated materials associated with the Reunion hotspot volcanism. 
• It is suggested that the Maldive Ridge was formed closer to the Mid Oceanic Ridge which is a new ocean floor created due to the divergence of continental plates. 
• The Deep Sea Channel Region was under a long transform fault which neither created nor destroyed any part of the lithosphere. 
• The hindered melt production gave rise to a gap between Chagos and Maldive Ridge during the plume ridge interaction. 
• This could be a possible reason for the aseismic characteristic of the Maldives Ridge.

Significance of the study:

• The study provides a better understanding of crustal architecture, isostatic compensation mechanism and the tectonic evolution of the region studied. 
• It also facilitates a clearer understanding of the evolution of ocean basins. 
• This study will be an enabler to reconstruct the original Gondwanaland break up and dispersal that resulted in the present-day configuration of the earth that we witness today.

Image Source: PIB

2. Medaram Jathara

Syllabus: GS I, Indian Heritage and Culture

Prelims: Medaram Jathara 

Mains: Preserving the tribal tradition and culture

Context: Asia’s largest tribal festival started with enormous traditional vigour experiencing a large number of pilgrims and devotees from all across the country.

The Medaram Jathara:

• It is the second-largest fair in India after Kumbh Mela and is celebrated by the Koya tribe of Telangana. 
• The celebration continues for four days.
• This festival is with the objective of honouring the goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. Saralamma was the daughter of Sammakka. 
• It is celebrated once every two years in the month of Magha (February) on the full moon day. 
• The idol of Saralamma is installed in the temple at Kannepalli, a small village near Medaram. 
• The rituals are performed by the Koya priests called Kaka Vaddes.
• Traditional music is played with: 
  • Doli – cylindrical drum
  • Akkum – Brass blowing instrument
  • Thootha Kommu – Bison horn blowing instrument
  • Cymbals
• This celebration has been supported by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with proactive measures to promote and preserve tribal traditions. 

About the Koya Tribes:

• They constitute a very unique way of community life and a common cultural heritage. 
• Koyas are identified as a warrior tribe.
• They speak Odia and Telugu languages. 
• The last queen of Malkangiri named Bagaru Devi had a large Koya army with the help of which she defeated Ramachandra Deva III of Jeypore. 
• In 1880, during the British period, the Koya rebellion took place under the leadership of Koya youth Tama Dora. 
• They opposed the British government in many ways.
• The principal tribe is found in the Malkangiri district of south Odisha.
• They are also found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh apart from Odisha. 
• Koyas are widely distributed in Kalimela, Mottu, Podia, Mathili and Kokonda blocks. 
• The Koyas of Malkangiri are ethno-culturally connected to Bison-horn Murias of adjacent Chhattisgarh. 
• They are known as Madia in the Sukuma region and Dorla in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. 
• They are engaged in shifting cultivation and presently they indulge in settled cultivation. The major crops cultivated by the Koyas include paddy, maize, millet and tobacco leaf. 

Also read: Major tribes in India

3. Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy

Syllabus: GS III,  Conservation

Prelims: National Hydrogen Mission

Mains: India’s future towards sustainability by promoting renewable sources of energy.

Context: The Ministry of Power notified the Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy to step closer to the major objective of shifting towards renewable energy sources. 

Background:

• Hydrogen and Ammonia are going to be the potential future fuels replacing fossil fuels. 
• Production of these fuels is considered to be green because they ensure environmentally sustainable energy security of the country. 
• The Government of India has been effective in introducing policy measures to boost Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia. 
• The National Hydrogen Mission was launched in 2021 by the government to meet the targets of making India a green hydrogen hub with a capacity to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. 

The Policy: Essential Provisions

• Green Hydrogen and Ammonia manufacturers will be allowed to purchase renewable power from the power exchange or can set up a renewable energy capacity themselves or through any developer. 
• Open access will be provided within 15 days of receipt of the application.
• The manufacturers can bank the unconsumed renewable power for 30 days with distribution companies and take it back at the time of requirement. 
• Waiver of Inter-state transmission charges will be offered for 25 years for the manufacturers whose projects commenced before 30th June 2025. 
• Connectivity to the grid will be given on the basis of priority to avoid delays of tedious procedures. 
• The cost of procurement, wheeling charges and a small margin determined by the state commission will be accompanied by concessional prices for the distribution licensees to procure and supply renewable energy to the manufacturers in their states. 
• Incentives will be granted to the manufacturers and distribution licensees under the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) for the consumption of renewable power.

Read previous PIB here.

February 17th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here