UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2024

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Environmental Preservation

Source: DTE

 Context: The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) concluded on February 17, 2024 (in Samarkand, Uzbekistan) with parties agreeing to adopt listing proposals for 14 migratory species and several other resolutions for global wildlife conservation.

What is CMS? 

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (enforced since 1983; HQ: Bonn (Germany), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty of the United Nations (UNEP provides support) that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory animals and their habitats. It has 133 members including India. It consists of two appendices:

1. Appendix I (migratory species that are in danger of extinction)
2. Appendix II(Migratory species that will benefit from conservation)

Major outcomes of COP 14 of CMS:

Significance of Migratory Species:

Migratory species play a crucial role in ecosystems, offering essential services that mitigate climate change impacts and enhance resilience to climatic hazards. Examples include whales aiding nutrient transfer and storing carbon, and antelopes reducing wildfire risks through grazing. Climate change poses severe threats to migratory species, impacting their habitats, migration patterns, and reproductive success

Initiatives taken by India:

1. National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023): India launched this plan to address challenges faced by migratory birds, including habitat loss, hunting, pollution, and climate change.
   1. Goals include stopping bird decline by 2027, promoting transboundary cooperation, and improving the database on migratory birds.
2. Conservation of marine turtles: India launched the Marine Turtle Policy and Marine Stranding Management Policy in 2020 to protect marine turtles and reduce pollution from micro-plastic and single-use plastic.
3. Transboundary protected areas: India established protected areas for species like Tigers, Asian elephants, Snow Leopard, the Asiatic Lion, the one-horned rhinoceros, and the Great Indian Bustard.
4. Project Snow Leopard (PSL): Launched in 2009, PSL promotes an inclusive approach to conserving snow leopards and their habitat.
5. Dugong Conservation Reserve: India established its first Dugong conservation reserve in Tamil Nadu.
6. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: The act provides stringent punishments for violating wildlife protection laws and includes migratory birds in Schedule I for the highest protection.
7. Other initiatives: India imposed a ban on the veterinary use of diclofenac to conserve vultures, established Vulture breeding centres, and set up the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau to control illegal wildlife trade.

Definitions:

Migratory Species: Wild animals that cyclically and predictably cross national boundaries. This includes any part of the population.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF): A major migratory route covering 30 countries from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean, hosting over 400 species of migratory birds.

Flyways: Areas used by birds during their annual cycle, including breeding, stopover, and wintering areas. There are nine major flyways globally identified by the CMS Secretariat.

Insta Links:

 Climate change and migratory species

Prelims Links:

Content for Mains Enrichment(CME)

Source: TH

What is Meritocracy?

Meritocracy is a system where individuals progress based on abilities and hard work, not social status. It values fairness, equal opportunity, and personal merit. However, critics argue it can perpetuate inequality and elitism.

Different Views on Meritocracy:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)’s Impact on Meritocracy:

1. Enhancing Human Abilities: AI’s capabilities challenge human merit by surpassing traditional tasks, questioning the relevance of conventional merit metrics. Access to AI tools grants advantages, potentially shifting the definition of individual merit.
2. Exacerbating Inequalities: AI-trained systems can perpetuate biases present in historical data, leading to discriminatory outcomes in various sectors. Advanced AI capabilities may displace jobs and polarize the workforce, worsening socioeconomic disparities.
3. Opaque Decision-Making: The opaque nature of AI algorithms can obscure the criteria for evaluating merit, challenging the transparency and accountability of meritocratic ideals.
4. Data Hegemony: Tech giants’ access to vast data gives them an advantage in setting standards for merit in the digital age, potentially sidelining smaller players with innovative ideas but limited access to data.

Solution:

A balanced solution to the debate on AI and meritocracy involves leveraging technology responsibly while upholding the principles of fairness and equality. This includes:

1. Ethical AI Development: Implementing stringent ethical guidelines for AI development to minimize biases and ensure transparent decision-making processes.
2. Accessible Education: Prioritizing accessible education and training programs to equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven society, thereby democratizing opportunities.
3. Continuous Adaptation: Continuously adapting meritocratic systems to accommodate technological advancements and evolving societal needs, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
4. Regulation and Oversight: Implementing robust regulations and oversight mechanisms to prevent the concentration of power and data monopolies, promoting competition and innovation.
5. Social Safety Nets: Establishing comprehensive social safety nets to support individuals adversely affected by AI-driven changes, mitigating socioeconomic disparities and ensuring inclusivity.

Usage: The debate can be used in Essay/Sociology/PSIR/ Ethics of AI/ Indian Polity etc.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: Efforts are underway to secure UNESCO recognition for the annual ‘Paruveta’ (mock hunting festival) held at the Sri Narasimha Swamy temple in Ahobilam as an ‘intangible cultural heritage’.

• Legend has it that Lord Vishnu, in his incarnation as Narasimha, married a tribal girl named Chenchulakshmi, and the festival commemorates this union.
• Participants observe ‘Narasimha Deeksha’ by wearing yellow robes and ‘Tulasi Mala’ and practicing celibacy.
• The festival highlights the absence of caste discrimination, with temple staff residing in tribal hamlets throughout the event.
• The ceremony involves tribals shooting arrows at the deity’s palanquin as a sign of reverence and protection.

The Ahobila Mutt has historically promoted the festival to spread Srivaishnavism among tribal communities, further affirming the tribal link to Lord Vishnu.Top of Form

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ANI News

 Context: Renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar, along with Sanskrit scholar Swami Rambhadracharya, has been honoured with the prestigious Jnanpith Award.

• The award recognizes their exceptional contributions to literature.
• Gulzar is celebrated for his impactful poetry and timeless lyrics in Bollywood, while Swami Rambhadracharya is acknowledged for his scholarly works in Sanskrit.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DD NEWS

Context: A statue of U Tirot Sing, a Khasi freedom fighter who rebelled against British colonialism around 200 years ago, was unveiled at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka.

About Tirot Sing:

• Tirot Sing, also known as ‘the Hero of the Khasi Hills,’ led an attack against British forces in 1829, resisting their attempts to control the Khasi Hills.
• Captured after the Anglo-Khasi War, he died as a political prisoner in Dhaka in 1835.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Economic Times

 Context: Assam Chief Minister announced the initiation of a survey of land within char (riverine) areas under Mission Basundhara 4.0, aimed at settling land in these regions.

• Mission Basundhara is a program in Assam, India that aims to make land revenue services more accessible to citizens. The program includes land-related services like:
  • Land mutation
  • Updating land records
  • Delivery of services to people at their homes through online mode

Mission Basundhara 1.0 was launched on October 2, 2021, and Mission Basundhara 2.0 was launched on November 14, 2022. Mission Basundhara 3.0 will aims to ease the process of buying and selling land and end conflicts between families arising out of land boundaries.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: LiveScience

 Context: For the first time ever, scientists have detected water molecules on the surface of two asteroids, Iris and Massalia, revealing new insights into the distribution of water in our solar system.

• This discovery was made using data collected by NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), specifically its Faint Object InfraRed Camera (FORCAST) instrument.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

 Context: The sale of cotton candy (panju mittai) has been banned in Tamil Nadu due to the presence of cancer-causing chemicals, specifically Rhodamine-B, found in samples collected from stalls in Chennai.

• This chemical is considered substandard and unsafe under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
• The immediate and long-term health hazards associated with Rhodamine-B consumption, include stomach issues, breathing problems, organ damage, and an increased risk of cancer.

Mapping

Source: IE

Context: At the Sixtieth Munich Security Conference, world leaders convened amid concerns over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and NATO cohesion. The conference (held annually in Munich, Germany, since 1963), often dubbed the ‘Davos of Defence,’ serves as a crucial forum for discussing international security policy and fostering dialogue among global stakeholders. Notably, the conference publishes the Munich Security Report, offering insights into key security challenges.

EAM S Jaishankar remarked at the conference that “India is non-west but not anti-west”