[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 4 November 2023

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Science and Technology

Source: IE

Context: India’s progress in the Global Innovation Index is attributed to public and private commitment, emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship. One of the most important initiatives helping innovation in India is the Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs)

What is Atal Tinkering Labs?

An Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) is part of the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and is established in schools across India. The objective of ATLs is to nurture creativity, curiosity, and skills like design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, and physical computing in young minds.

What is the Atal Innovation Mission?

Status of India on Research and Innovation:

• India was ranked 40th position out of 132 in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2022 rankings.
• India’s research and development (R&D) expenditure-GDP ratio is 0.7% only (a world average of 1.8%)

Challenges in India’s R&D Ecosystem:

How important is community involvement in addressing some of these challenges?

Learning from the success of Amul, a community-based cooperative, highlights the potential for collective efforts to drive innovation. The establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools, engaging over 75 lakh students across 10,000 labs, aims to build a community of young innovators. Initiatives like ATL Sarthi, which clusters labs in regions like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, have shown improved performance through collaborative support. This emphasis on community involvement is particularly vital in rural areas, where 60% of ATLs are located, ensuring that innovative infrastructure remains functional and accessible, especially in areas with shared resources like 3D printers.

What more can be done to improve the innovation ecosystem in India?

Recently government introduced the National Research Foundation Bill 2023 to set up NRF in order to give impetus to the research ecosystem in India.

Insta Links:

R&D ecosystem in India

Mains Links:

Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (UPSC 2014)

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Environment Conservation

Source: TH

 Context: The article discusses how Biosphere reserves play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, reducing pollution, and enhancing climate resilience.

• November 3 is celebrated as World Biosphere Reserve Day (to raise awareness of the importance of biosphere reserves)

What are Biosphere reserves?

Biosphere reserves are areas designated by UNESCO to promote the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and scientific research. They consist of three zones:

• a core zone for the strict protection of ecosystems
• a buffer zone where people live and work in harmony with nature
• a transition zone for sustainable activities.

Aim: Biosphere Reserves try to balance economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values along with the preservation of nature.

Status of Biosphere Reserves in India:

 There are 748 reserves in 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites. India has 18 internationally recognized Biosphere reserves, with the Nilgiri reserve being the first. The latest addition is Panna in Madhya Pradesh.

Twelve of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.

Difference between National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve

Functions of Biosphere Reserves:

The threats to Biosphere Reserves (BRs) include: Deforestation, Invasive species,

Land use changes like mining, Urbanization and population growth causing exploitation.

Initiatives aimed at conserving Biosphere Reserves (at the India level):

Global initiatives:

• World Network of Biosphere Reserves: UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves connects and supports designated sites globally, fostering collaboration in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
• International Cooperation: Biosphere Reserves often involve collaboration between neighbouring countries, enhancing international cooperation for conservation efforts. E.g., Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The United Nations’ SDGs, particularly Goal 15 (Life on Land) and Goal 14 (Life Below Water), emphasize the importance of conserving biodiversity and sustainable management of ecosystems, aligning with biosphere reserve objectives.

Insta Links:

• Panna Tiger Reserve gets UNESCO’s ‘Biosphere Reserve’ Status

Prelims Links:

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

 Context: Ken Mattingly, an astronaut known for his crucial role in helping the damaged Apollo 13 spacecraft return safely to Earth, has passed away at the age of 87.

What happened to the Apollo 13 spacecraft?

The Apollo 13 spacecraft (on a mission to the moon landing in 1970) suffered an oxygen tank explosion, which disrupted the mission and threatened the lives of the crew. They had to abort their lunar landing.

How was the spacecraft brought back to Earth?

The recovery of Apollo 13 is a story of teamwork, innovation, and determination. When an oxygen tank exploded, Astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, along with ground control and fellow astronaut Ken Mattingly, worked tirelessly to solve the crisis. They converted the lunar module into a lifeboat, conserved power and resources, and navigated by the stars. With their collective efforts, they managed to swing around the moon and safely return to Earth, proving the resilience of human ingenuity and the spirit of exploration.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

 Context: Two scientists in northeastern France discovered a substantial deposit of “white hydrogen,“ considered one of the largest concentrations of this clean energy source ever found.

What is White Hydrogen?

White hydrogen is a clean-burning energy source found naturally in the Earth’s crust. It is Natural hydrogen and is found as naturally occurring molecular hydrogen on or on Earth. The name white hydrogen distinguishes it from green hydrogen (produced from renewable energy sources from the electrolysis of water), and from grey, brown or black hydrogen, (which is obtained from fossil sources)

Significance:

• White hydrogen is seen as a potentially abundant and untapped source of clean-burning energy.
• White hydrogen’s estimated cost is around $1 per kilogram, significantly lower than green hydrogen, which costs about $6 per kilogram, making it a more affordable clean energy source.
• White hydrogen deposits have been identified worldwide including in the US, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, France, and Mali.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: UN

 Context: The UN has said that there has been a rise in intimidation and violence in the West Bank, particularly in the Nablus area. This violence has led to the displacement of over 820 Palestinians.

Various UN agencies involved in the protection of Human Rights:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: WFP

 Context: The FAO and WFP have issued a warning that acute food insecurity is expected to worsen in 18 hunger hotspots, covering 22 countries (e.g., Countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen are at the highest concern level)

What are hunger hotspots?

Hunger hotspots are regions or countries identified by organizations like FAO and WFP where acute food insecurity is a pressing concern. These areas have a high number of people facing critical food shortages and worsening factors that are expected to intensify life-threatening conditions in the near future.

Other Hotspots:

1. Haiti, the Sahel (Burkina Faso and Mali), Malawi, Guatemala, Honduras and Sudan
2. Pakistan, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Myanmar. Lebanon, El Salvador, and Nicaragua are newly added to the list

The warning is based on the high number of people facing critical acute food insecurity and worsening factors that are expected to exacerbate the situation in the coming months.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) were launched by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to promote energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions in India.

About the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and the Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP):

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

 Context: Adaptation Gap Report 2023 released by the United Nations Environment Programme

What is an Adaptation Gap?

The Adaptation Gap is the difference between the funds needed to adapt to climate change in countries (generally developing and least developed countries) and the actual financial support received. For instance, developing countries require $215-387 billion annually for climate adaptation, but they are only receiving about $21 billion.

Major findings from the 2023 Adaptation Gap Report:

Mapping

Source: IE

Context: Pakistan has enforced the expulsion of Afghan migrants, with a primary focus on Afghans, who constitute the largest group of refugees in the country.

Over 4 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, with an estimated 1.7 million lacking proper documentation. Despite appeals from the UN, rights groups, and Western embassies, Pakistan remains firm in its decision to deport Afghan migrants, citing economic strain and security concerns. The deportations have been criticized, with some filing petitions to challenge the mass expulsion in the Supreme Court.

The Durand Line forms the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, a 2,670-kilometre international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan in South Asia. The western end runs to the border with Iran and the eastern end to the border with China.

Other Boundary Lines: