[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 8 November 2023

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Environment Conservation

Source: TH

Context: The article emphasizes the need to address the noise crisis associated with firecrackers during festivals.

What is Noise pollution? 

It is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health Organization, noise above 65 decibels (dB) is defined as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB.

Impact of Noise Pollution on Human Health:

Impact on the ecosystem:

• Impact on Wildlife: Noise pollution disrupts natural ecosystems by affecting wildlife.
  • For instance, loud noises from construction sites and urban areas can interfere with the communication and breeding habits of birds and other animals. This can lead to population declines and ecological imbalances.
• Impact on Animal health: Research shows noise causes confined animals pain, fear and cognitive problems. For example in fish, vibrations from extreme noise can damage the swim bladder which in turn impacts their hearing and buoyancy
• Marine Life: Underwater noise pollution from shipping, sonar, and industrial activities can harm marine life.
  • Whales and dolphins, which rely on echolocation to communicate and find food, are particularly vulnerable.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Noise pollution can drive some species away from their habitats, leading to a loss of biodiversity. This is especially concerning in India, a country known for its rich and diverse wildlife.

What are the regulations regarding noise pollution?

• The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules 2000under the Environment Protection Act 1986 mandate that firecrackers cannot be used in ‘silence zones’, and anywhere after 10 PM.
• Section 2 (a) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 considers noise as ‘air pollutant’.
• From 6 AM to 10 PM, firecracker noise cannot exceed 75 dB. The thresholds in commercial and residential areas are 65 dB and 55 dB, respectively.
• The rules allow people to register a complaint if the noise overshoots by 10 dB during daytime.
• Central Pollution Control Boardhas listed fines for the violation of noise pollution norms, including the use of loudspeakers or public addresses that can result in a fine of Rs 10,000.
  • Exemption: The state government can provide exemption during any cultural or religious festive occasion of a limited duration not exceeding 15 days in all during a calendar year.

Issues with noise pollution regulation:

• Issues with Demarcation of zones: Different loudness zones are also seldom publicly demarcated. Some places are both residential and commercial.
• Ambiguity of rules: The rules are unclear about the sanctions to be meted out to offenders.

Need for effective management:

• Limit firecracker production to curb noise and pollution.
  • CSIR introduced eco-friendly “green” crackers in 2018, mandated by authorities.
• Cities should share noise data and set targets.
• Noise Regulations: India has noise pollution regulations in place, such as the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
  • However, enforcement remains a challenge. Strengthening these regulations and ensuring strict enforcement is crucial.
• Urban Planning: Cities must incorporate noise mitigation measures into their urban planning.
  • This includes sound barriers along highways, green buffer zones around industrial areas, and the promotion of quieter transport options.
• Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the harmful effects of noise pollution is essential.
  • Educational campaigns can inform the public about the risks and encourage responsible behaviour, such as reducing noise levels in residential areas.

Conclusion

Although noise pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by pollution but humans also face a number of problems due to it.

Insta Links

Noise Pollution

Mains Links:

Noise pollution harms human health and disrupts ecosystems, underscoring the need for effective management and awareness. Discuss. (10M)

GS3/GS2 Paper 

 Syllabus: Internal Security – Basics of cyber security

Source: TH

Context: American cybersecurity company Resecurity reported a breach of personal data of 815 million Indians, including Aadhaar numbers and passport details, being sold on the dark web. The data was claimed to be sourced from the Indian Council of Medical Research.

What are Personally Identifiable Information (PII)/ Personal Data?

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is data that, alone or with other details, can identify an individual. It includes direct identifiers like passport info, Voter ID, PAN Card, etc. Data falls into two categories:

• Personal, related to individual traits
• Non-personal, aggregated data that doesn’t identify individuals.

Central Government Reply:

The IT Minister mentioned that CERT-In is investigating the data leak. UIDAI asserts that Aadhaar data is secure in CIDR, with no breaches in its history. Advanced security tech is used and regularly upgraded to address emerging threats.

Other instances of Data Breach:

Impact of Personal Data Breach:

Government step:

Conclusion:

Safeguarding personal information is crucial to prevent these impacts and maintain trust in the digital landscape. Users are advised to check for leaks, be cautious with emails, change passwords, and use two-factor authentication to safeguard personal information. The breach poses risks of digital identity theft and cyber-enabled financial crimes.

Insta Links:

New draft digital data protection bill: How it compares with the older version and  laws elsewhere

Mains Links:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill must ensure that individuals’ personal data is collected and processed in a manner that respects their privacy rights under Article 21 of the Indian constitution. Comment.

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: PIB

 Context: The “Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign” launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs aims to empower women in water governance.

Under it, women will visit water treatment plants to learn about water treatment processes and quality testing protocols. The campaign focuses on instilling a sense of ownership among women towards water infrastructure, with over 15,000 Self Help Groups (SHG) women participating.

It promotes inclusivity, and gender equality, and aims to enhance women’s role in ensuring access to safe drinking water for their households.

The campaign is part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and has the potential to create positive community impact and serve as a model for future initiatives.

 Usage: The example can be used in Governance/ Ethics/ Women related Qn

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Notable figures and their contributions to the Indian freedom struggle:

Usage: Names can be quoted in Modern History/ Ethics (values of patriotism, sacrifice, service)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including the Mahadev online betting platform, following the investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the illegal betting app syndicate.

What is Mahadev app case?

The case involves illegal betting activities through the Mahadev Online Book. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a money laundering probe. Several individuals, including actors, Politicians and businessmen, have been accused of promoting and facilitating illegal betting.

What is Online betting?

It refers to the act of placing bets on various events, sports, or games through internet platforms.

The legal aspect of Online Betting:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: LM

 Context: The government has reduced the price of state-produced Bharat Atta by ₹2 per kg to control prices during the festival season.

What is the ‘Bharat’ brand Atta?

It is a type of wheat flour launched by the Indian government with a maximum retail price of Rs 27.50 per kilogram (market price is Rs 35.93 per KG). This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to stabilize essential commodity prices and provide relief to consumers.

The Atta is made accessible through various outlets, including Kendriya Bhandar,  National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED), and NCCF (National Cooperative Consumer Federation), aiming to benefit a broader consumer base.

The government has also been selling chana dal under the ‘Bharat’ brand.

NAFED (founded in 1958) and NCCF (est 1965) are prominent cooperative organizations, registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act of 2002, for agricultural product procurement and marketing.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

 Context: A deepfake video of Rashmika Mandanna (actress) entering an elevator sparked outrage online, later debunked by a journalist revealing it featured British influencer Zara Patel.

What are Deepfakes?

Deepfakes are digital media – video, audio, and images edited and manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to inflict harm on individuals and institutions. It can be exploited to damage the reputation, fabricate evidence, defraud the public, and undermine trust in democratic institutions with fewer resources.

Deepfake is a blend of ‘deep learning‘ (a subset of machine learning using artificial neural networks) and ‘fake.’

What countries are doing to combat deep fakes:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

 Context: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report (Climate Services report for 2023) reveals that the health sector is ill-equipped to address heat and extreme weather impacts.

Major findings of the report:

• Climate change threatens to undo decades of health progress, with less than 25% of global health ministries using climate information to monitor climate-related health risks.
• Despite air pollution being the fourth-largest health risk factor, only 2% of international climate finance is allocated to address it.
• However, climate finance has doubled, averaging $1.3 trillion annually in 2021 and 2022.

Recommendations:

The report stresses the need for collaboration between health and climate agencies to address the climate-health nexus, especially in vulnerable regions like Africa. Developing in-country capacities to improve local knowledge. Policy mandates for health and meteorological actors to collaborate.

For WMO: 2022 State of the Climate in Asia Report: Click Here

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk’s recent visit to Assam holds historical significance, being the first by a Bhutanese monarch to the state.

What was Operation All Clear?

During the 1990s, Assam’s insurgent groups operated in southeast Bhutan. In response, Bhutan launched “Operation All Clear” in 2003, targeting groups like ULFA, NDFB, and KLO that had established camps in Bhutan. The crackdown was prompted by threats to Bhutan’s sovereignty, strained diplomatic relations with India, and adverse impacts on development and economic activities. The Indian Army provided logistical and medical assistance to support the Bhutanese military in this endeavour.

Mapping

Source: India Today

 Context: Kawah Ijen Crater Lake in East Java, Indonesia, is the world’s largest acidic lake,  as it contains high concentrations of sulphuric and hydrochloric acids, making it unswimmable.

It’s easily visible from space (turquoise blue waters) and has a pH as low as 0.5, similar to car battery acid. The lake also emits hot, flammable sulphurous gases that burn with an eerie blue flame, blue fire, creating a mesmerizing nighttime spectacle. Despite its harsh conditions, there is life in the form of microbial communities (mainly Archaea) in the lake and its acidic river.

It’s a UNESCO Global Geopark with unique geological, biological, and cultural features. The active vent at the edge of the lake serves as a significant source of elemental sulfur, supporting a rigorous mining operation.

About Copernicus

It is the EU’s Earth observation program, providing data from satellites and non-space sources for Climate/Environment/Disaster Services. The European Commission oversees it. As a part of it, the Copernicus Sentinel series of Satellites provides optical images of Earth’s surface.