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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on November 20, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II & III - Governance, Environment & Ecology
Context:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) August 21, 2024 directed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to submit an affidavit detailing its position on extensive encroachment of forest land in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Sonitpur district of Assam, which has been ongoing for years
Read about:
What is National Green Tribunal (NGT)?
What are the Important Landmark Judgements of NGT?
Key takeaways:
- On August 21, 2024, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) instructed the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to provide an affidavit outlining its stance on the extensive forest land encroachment in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, which has been ongoing for several years.
- This affidavit should address the findings reported by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Assam, on July 15, 2024. Additionally, the NGT's eastern zone bench directed the Chief Secretary of Assam to resubmit a corrected affidavit within four weeks, as the previous one was deemed defective.
- The affidavit from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest revealed that approximately 300,000 individuals have encroached upon the sanctuary, clearing lowland evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and establishing permanent structures and agricultural activities, including the cultivation of commercial crops such as betel nut, coconut, rubber, and tea. It also highlighted that around 23,028 claims have been made under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in Charduar Reserve Forest, Balipara Reserve Forest, and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The report included a chart showing that about 50,241 hectares of the total 73,524.86 hectares of reserve and protected forest land are currently encroached upon.
- On August 22, 2024, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Renukoot, Sonbhadra, filed an affidavit in response to an NGT order from May 10, 2024, regarding ongoing surveillance of the Dongia reservoir reserve forest area in Pipri, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. This surveillance aims to prevent illegal activities in the region.
- The affidavit addressed the issue of unlawful encroachments and tree felling in the reserve forest, which threatens the forest, wildlife, and aquatic animals. The report detailed that illegal activities were being conducted by the Chairman, Digvijay Pratap Singh, the executive officer of Nagar Panchayat Pipri, and their associates.
- The affidavit also noted the presence of diverse wildlife in the reserve forest, such as deer, leopards, and peacocks, and crocodiles in the reservoir. The DFO’s report confirmed that illegal activities were being carried out by various individuals, including Pradeep Kumar Singh, Vijay Bahadur Singh, and Anil Kumar. The forest department has taken strict action, halted illegal road extension work, and addressed issues related to illegal tree cutting, installation of iron sheets and gates, and encroachments
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National Green Tribunal (NGT)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is an autonomous and specialized judicial body in India established to handle environmental disputes and issues related to the protection and conservation of the environment.
Here are the key details about the NGT:
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Follow Up Question
1.How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (UPSC 2018)
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by the executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer (B)
To answer this question, let's examine each statement about the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): Statement 1: "The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by the executive order of the Government." This statement is incorrect.
Statement 2: "The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country." This statement is correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. 2 only |
Governor gives the nod to prosecute Karnataka CM
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot sanctioned the investigation and prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a case of alleged corruption in the allotment of land to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Read about:
Governor and discretion powers
Governors and States tussle
Key takeaways:
- Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot approved the investigation and prosecution of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged corruption related to the allocation of land to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA)
- The approval followed petitions from Bengaluru-based social activists Pradeep Kumar S.P. and T.J. Abraham, along with Mysuru-based Snehamayi Krishna.
- In a six-page communication to Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, the Governor’s Secretariat stated that the approval was granted under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for investigation, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha, 2023, for prosecution, based on the offenses detailed in the petitions
- Siddaramaiah convened an emergency State Cabinet meeting, where members unanimously condemned the Governor’s decision, labeling it “illegal, unconstitutional, and contrary to the principles of democracy and federalism.”
- The Cabinet resolved to contest the matter legally. The Chief Minister ruled out resignation and expressed gratitude to his Cabinet colleagues for their support.
- In his communication, the Governor referenced a 2004 Supreme Court ruling by a five-judge Bench related to Madhya Pradesh, which stated that Governors must use their discretion based on facts and circumstances to prevent a breakdown of the rule of law, where governments might refuse sanction despite clear evidence of a prima facie case
More Information
The Governor of a state in India holds certain discretionary powers, which allow them to act independently of the advice of the Council of Ministers in specific situations. These powers are derived from the Constitution of India, judicial interpretations, and certain conventions.
Here's an overview of the Governor's discretionary powers:
- The Governor has the discretion to appoint the Chief Minister in situations where no single party has a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Governor can choose the leader who, in their opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of the Assembly. This is often exercised in a hung assembly or post-election scenarios
- The Governor can dissolve the Legislative Assembly if the Chief Minister advises so, usually following a loss of majority. However, if the Governor believes the advice is motivated by improper considerations, they can exercise discretion in withholding dissolution, especially if an alternative government formation is possible
- The Governor has the power to reserve certain bills passed by the state legislature for the consideration of the President. This is particularly relevant when the bill in question may conflict with the laws of Parliament, the Constitution, or affect the position of the High Court, among other reasons
- The Governor can promulgate ordinances when the state legislature is not in session, but only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. However, if there is no Council of Ministers in place (for instance, if the government has resigned), the Governor can use discretion in issuing ordinances
- The Governor has the right to seek information regarding the administration of the state and proposals for legislation. This can include requesting reports or specific clarifications on issues of governance
- While the Chief Minister advises the Governor on the appointment or removal of ministers, the Governor is not constitutionally obliged to accept the advice if they believe it’s not in the public interest or is constitutionally improper.
- If the Governor has reasons to believe that the government no longer has the confidence of the Assembly, they can ask the Chief Minister to prove the majority in the Assembly. If the Chief Minister fails to do so, the Governor can exercise their discretion to dismiss the government
- The Governor can send a report to the President under Article 356 of the Constitution, recommending President's Rule if they believe the governance in the state cannot be carried out according to the provisions of the Constitution. This power is discretionary and significant, as it can lead to the imposition of President's Rule in the state
Follow Up Question
1.Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? (UPSC CSE 2014)
1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
Select the correct answer using the code given below
A. 1 and 2 Only
B. 1 and 3 Only
C. 2, 3 and 4
D. 1, 2, 3, 4
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Answer (B)
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II & III - International relations, Environment & Ecology
Context:
The Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama, was opened to ships 110 years ago. Today, it faces an existential threat
Read about:
What is Historical Significance of Panama Canal?
Global trade in Panama and Red sea route
Key Takeaways:
- The Panama Canal is more than just a waterway connecting two larger bodies of water; it's a complex, meticulously engineered system that utilizes locks and elevators to transport ships from one end to the other.
- This intricate system is necessary because the two oceans connected by the canal are at different elevations, with the Pacific being slightly higher than the Atlantic. To navigate this elevation difference, ships traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific must ascend during their journey.
- This is accomplished through a system of locks that raise and lower vessels to the appropriate sea levels at each end of the canal.
- Locks function as water elevators by either filling with water to raise ships or draining to lower them. The canal's lock system includes three sets of locks, totaling 12 locks, supported by artificial lakes and channels.
- Here's how a lock set operates: a ship enters the first, lowest lock chamber, which is at sea level; the gate at the entrance opens to admit the ship and then closes; water is then transferred from the first chamber to the second, higher chamber; once the water levels are equalized, the gate between the chambers opens, allowing the ship to move into the next chamber. This process continues to achieve the necessary elevation.
- The reverse process occurs when descending. Ships entering from the Atlantic first gain 26 meters of elevation at Lake Gaitan before descending as they approach the Pacific side
Climate Change threats
- The Panama Canal requires a substantial amount of fresh water to operate its lock system. Most of this water is sourced from Lake Gatun, relying on gravity to move it, which means no pumps are needed.
- Each day, the canal consumes about 2.5 times the amount of water used by New York City's 8 million residents. Recently, lower water levels in Lake Gatun restricted the number of ships that could transit the canal daily, and those that did often had to reduce their cargo.
- While ocean water could be used to operate the locks, it would increase the salinity of Lake Gatun, which also provides drinking water for over half of Panama's 4.4 million people.
- Though improved rainfall this year has eased some issues, experts warn that this is likely a temporary relief. Carlos Urriola, president of SSA International, notes that improved conditions can create a false sense of security.
- The broader issue is linked to climate change, which has led to more frequent extreme rainfall deficits.
- While significant rainfall shortages historically occurred about once every 20 years due to major El Niño events, there have been three such deficits in the past 26 years, suggesting a shift in rainfall patterns, according to Steven Paton from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The conditions in 2023 were unprecedented in the last century.
- To address this ongoing challenge, Panama Canal authorities have proposed creating a new water source by damming the Rio Indio.
- Although such proposals have been made before, an old law previously prohibited this. However, Panama’s Supreme Court recently overturned that restriction, paving the way for a $1.6 billion dam project that officials believe will resolve the issue for at least the next 50 years
Follow Up Question
1.Which of the following statements about the Panama Canal is/are correct?
- The Panama Canal uses a system of locks and elevators to manage the elevation difference between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
- The water used by the Panama Canal's lock system is entirely sourced from the Pacific Ocean to avoid affecting local freshwater supplies.
- Recent lower water levels in Lake Gatun have led to restrictions on the number of ships that can pass through the canal, with some ships needing to reduce their cargo.
- The Panama Canal authorities have proposed damming the Rio Indio as a solution to address water supply issues for the canal.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3, and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 3 only
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Answer (b)
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Security Issues
Context:
Vehicular traffic is a mainstay of modern life. And therefore, the number of transport options people have invented and the number of places to deploy them in have increased. Today, we have traffic on the road, in the air, across various water bodies, and — in a dubitable sign of progress — in space. For better or for worse, we can’t roll this traffic back very much, so we have collision avoidance systems instead
Read about:
What is a Collision avoidance system?
What is KAVACH System?
Key takeaways:
A collision avoidance system is a safety technology designed to prevent accidents by detecting potential collisions between vehicles, aircraft, or vessels and taking corrective actions to avoid them. These systems are used in various applications, including automotive, aviation, maritime, and industrial settings.
Here are the key features and components of collision avoidance systems:
- Collision avoidance systems use sensors, cameras, radar, lidar, or other technologies to monitor the surrounding environment. They detect objects, obstacles, or other vehicles that may pose a collision risk
- The system analyzes the data collected by the sensors to assess the likelihood of a collision. This involves evaluating the distance, speed, and trajectory of nearby objects
- If a potential collision is detected, the system typically provides warnings to the driver or operator. This can include visual alerts, audible alarms, or haptic feedback (e.g., vibrations)
- In some advanced systems, collision avoidance technology can take automatic actions to prevent an accident. This may include applying the brakes, steering the vehicle away from the obstacle, or initiating evasive maneuvers
- Collision avoidance systems can be integrated with other safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking, to enhance overall vehicle safety
Applications of CAS
- In cars and trucks, collision avoidance systems help prevent rear-end collisions, lane departures, and other accidents. Examples include forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind-spot detection systems
- In aircraft, collision avoidance systems help prevent mid-air collisions and ground incidents. The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is a widely used example that alerts pilots to potential conflicts with other aircraft
- In ships and boats, collision avoidance systems utilize radar and AIS (Automatic Identification System) to detect and avoid collisions with other vessels or obstacles in the water
- In warehouses and manufacturing facilities, collision avoidance systems are used in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and forklifts to prevent accidents with personnel and other equipment
- By detecting potential hazards and providing warnings or automatic interventions, these systems significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries
- Collision avoidance systems can help maintain smooth traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of traffic jams caused by accidents
- Preventing collisions can lead to lower repair costs, insurance premiums, and liability claims
Follow Up Question
1.Consider the following communication technologies: (UPSC CSE 2022)
- Closed-circuit Television
- Radio Frequency Identification
- Wireless Local Area Network
Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer (d)
Given this analysis, all three technologies listed can be classified as short-range devices/technologies. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
Glacial lakes multiply in Himachal and Tibet, poses threat to lives and infra downstream
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS I - World and Indian Gography
Context:
With glacier sizes rapidly reducing from the impact of changed weather patterns in recent years, there has been a gradual rise of moraine-dammed lakes in Himachal Pradesh and the Trans Himalayan Region of Tibet, posing a potential threat to human life and infrastructure further downstream.
Read about:
What is a glacier lake?
What is a Flash flood?
Key takeaways:
- Due to the rapid reduction in glacier sizes caused by recent changes in weather patterns, moraine-dammed lakes have been gradually increasing in Himachal Pradesh and the Trans Himalayan Region of Tibet, posing potential risks to human lives and infrastructure downstream.
- According to satellite data analyzed in a recent study by the Centre on Climate Change of the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology-Environment (HIMCOSTE), the number of glacial lakes in the Satluj river catchment area has nearly doubled, rising from 562 in 2019 to 1,048 in 2023. This study focused on the catchment area of the Satluj basin, extending from upstream of Jhakri to Mansarover Lake in Tibet, where the river originates.
Smaller Lakes Emerging
- Of the 1,048 lakes identified in 2023, 900 are small, each covering less than five hectares. Additionally, 89 lakes span between 5 and 10 hectares, and 59 lakes are larger than 10 hectares each.
- The basin-wise analysis suggests a higher concentration of lakes in the Tibetan Himalayan Region or the Upper Satluj basin compared to the Spiti and Lower Satluj basins.
- This implies that the Upper Satluj basin is more prone to the formation of glacial lakes. The formation of small lakes in the upper region suggests a more significant impact of climate change at higher altitudes, where the average temperature is rising more rapidly than in lower areas.
Downstream Risk
- The study, which analyzed multi-spectral satellite images, warns that the increase in glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh’s river basins could lead to catastrophic events downstream if any of these lakes were to burst.
- Sunil Dhar, Dean of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Central University of Jammu, emphasized that climate change has adversely affected glaciers across the Himalayan region, leading to a reduction in the cryospheric cover over the terrain.
- This has resulted in the development of high-altitude glacial lakes. Dhar pointed out that the number of such lakes has grown over the years, and they have become unstable due to the increased volume of water or the calving effect of nearby glaciers, leading to avalanches of snow or rocks.
- These lakes pose a potential threat to downstream settlements and infrastructure if they were to burst, depending on the volume of water, velocity, and the spread of the outburst
Read also:
What is a Cloudburst?
Follow Up Question
1.On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion (UPSC 2013)
(a) is found in the atmosphere as moisture and clouds
(b) is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
(c) exists as groundwater
(d) exists as soil moisture
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Answer (C)
Most of Earth's freshwater is locked away in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow, making up about 68.7% of the planet's total freshwater. However, the largest portion of the remaining freshwater, about 30.1%, exists as groundwater. Groundwater is found in aquifers, which are underground layers of water-bearing rock or sediments. This makes it the largest accessible freshwater source for human use, surpassing the amount of freshwater found in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
In contrast, only a small fraction of freshwater is found in surface water bodies like rivers and lakes (about 1.2%), and an even smaller amount is present in the atmosphere as moisture and clouds, and as soil moisture. Therefore, groundwater represents the most significant and vital source of freshwater available to meet human, agricultural, and industrial needs
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Subject and Subject Wise Notes for the Sunday Exam (Free)
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| Polity | Indian Constitution | Non Constitutional bodies |
| History | Ancient History | Prehistoric times |
| Economy | NCERT Class 9 | Poverty as a Challenge |
| Geography | NCERT Class 9 | India Size and Location |
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