UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 3: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024)
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World Mangrove Day: Conservation Success in India Amidst Challenges
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Expanding the Space Economy
Reports in News
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The Impact of Climate Change on Education
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The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, 2024
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
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Olympics 2024: Greenest Games Ever
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
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Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer
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Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)
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GROWTH-India telescope
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Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)
Mapping:
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Jabiluka uranium site (Australia)
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024
GS Paper 2:
Expanding the Space Economy
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: PIB
Context: Union Budget 2024-25 proposes to set up ₹1000 crore venture capital fund for the space economy
What are venture capital funds?
A venture capital fund is a type of investment fund that pools money from various investors to invest in early-stage, high-potential start-ups and small businesses. These funds aim to provide capital to companies with strong growth prospects but also higher risk.
Indian Space Economy:
- Current value: ₹6,700 crore, 2% of the global space economy in 2021.
- Projected share: 8% by 2030, 15% by 2047.
- Space start-ups: Increased to nearly 200 in 2024 from 1 in 2022.
- Investment in start-ups: $124.7 million in 2023.
- Indian Space Policy 2023 aims to build a $44 billion space economy.
Emerging trends and their contribution to the Indian space sector:
| Trends | Contribution to the Indian Space Sector |
| Private participation | ISRO promotes private participation, and domestic private space companies have raised over $245 million in funding. India ranks fifth globally in terms of the number of private space firms. |
| International collaboration | ISRO collaborates with countries and international organizations for joint missions and technology transfers. For example, the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project. |
| Outer planetary missions | India made history by reaching the Martian orbit with the Mangalyaan Mission and is launching Chandrayaan-3, India’s lunar exploration mission, in the first quarter of 2023. |
| Human missions | Gaganyaan, India’s first manned mission to space, is a significant milestone scheduled for 2023. |
| Development of new technologies | ISRO is developing new technologies like reusable launch vehicles and Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD). Agnikul, a domestic startup, successfully tested 3D-printed rocket engines. |
| Expansion of satellite-based services | ISRO provides satellite-based services in remote sensing, navigation, and meteorology. It plans to expand these services and offer satellite-derived data to stimulate innovation. |
Bottlenecks in the Indian space sector:
- Access to Capital: Limited funding for downstream companies, as upstream activities receive major investments.
- Human Resource Constraints: A need for technically inclined marketing personnel, but they tend to prefer established businesses with market-level salaries.
- Monopolization: High capital requirements make it challenging for many players to enter the industry, leading to potential monopolization.
- Funding Disparity: India’s space budget is significantly smaller compared to countries like the US and China.
Measures taken to promote private sector participation in the space industry:
| Measures | Description |
| New Space India Limited (NSIL) | Established to utilize ISRO’s research and development for commercial purposes through Indian industry partners. Announced in Budget 2019. |
| Indian Space Association (ISpA) | Aims to represent the collective voice of the Indian space industry, including leading domestic and global corporations with advanced space and satellite capabilities. |
| National Space Policy 2023 | The government has approved the Indian Space Policy (ISP) 2023, to boost private sector participation and increase investments in the space sector from private companies. |
| ISRO Startup Hub | Launched in 2019, it provides a platform for startups to collaborate with ISRO, access ISRO’s facilities, and benefit from ISRO’s expertise. |
| Space Activities Bill, 2020 | Currently under consideration by the Indian Parliament, this bill would allow private companies to engage in space activities, including satellite launches and space-based services. |
| Other | Technology transfer to private players by ISRO, NSIL/IN-SPACe. International collaborations: NISAR program and Artemis Accords.
100% FDI in some sub-sectors |
Other Recommendations:
A recent report by the Indian Space Association, NASSCOM and Deloitte India suggested adopting OECD’s framework for segmenting the space value chain into upstream, downstream and Auxiliary categories.
- Upstream: All activities, products and infrastructure that ensure development, testing, launching, operations and monitoring of space assets
- Downstream: All applications, services and devices relying on satellites to create business value including Earth Observation, Satellite, SATCOM, etc.
- Auxilliary: Additional space-related activities such as space insurance, awareness, education and training
Conclusion
The Indian space sector has an opportunity to create a vibrant ecosystem for start-ups and private enterprises. India needs to focus on building a comprehensive space policy, providing access to capital for early-stage startups, access to satellite technology for industry, improved training for satellite operations, and allowing private players to use the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) testing facilities.
Insta Links
Mains Link:
- What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (UPSC 2019)
- Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socioeconomic development? (UPSC 2016)
Prelims Links
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)
The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO
- is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
- made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
- made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C
World Mangrove Day: Conservation Success in India Amidst Challenges
Syllabus: Environment Conservation
Source: DTE
Context: July 26 is International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, declared by UNESCO to raise awareness and promote sustainable management of mangroves, vital for coastal protection, storm mitigation, and carbon sequestration.
About International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Celebrated annually on July 26, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote sustainable management and conservation solutions. It was established by UNESCO in 2015.
About Mangroves:
- Mangroves are salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. They are important refuges of coastal biodiversity and act as bio-shields against extreme climatic events.
- They are located in the intermediate zone between the land and the sea and represent one of the best examples of ecotone.
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) has assessed mangrove ecosystems globally for the first time, revealing alarming findings.
- Half of the assessed global mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, with nearly 20% classified as high risk.
- Major threats include climate change, deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction.
- Climate change alone jeopardizes one-third of assessed mangrove
- Sea-level rise is predicted to submerge 25% of global mangrove area in the next 50 years.
- Without significant intervention, by 2050, climate change and sea-level rise could lead to the loss of 1.8 billion tonnes of stored carbon and expose 2.1 million lives to coastal flooding.
- Indian mangroves vary in status: Andaman and Bay of Bengal are classified as Least Concern, while South India is Critically Endangered, and West India is Vulnerable.
Mangroves in India
- The ‘State of World Mangroves 2022’ report by the Global Mangrove Alliance puts the total mangrove cover of the world at 1,47,000 sq km (14.7 million hectares).
- Mangrovesmake up only about 0.15% of India’s land area but provide numerous benefits to coastal communities over its vast coastline (spanning 7516km)
- Mangroves in India are distributed across nine States and three Union Territories with West Bengal having the highest mangrove cover of 2,114 sq km.
- The IFSR report also points out that there has been an increase in the mangrove cover from 4,046 sq km in 1987 to 4,992 sq km in 2021.
- However, the National Decadal Wetland Change Atlas (2022) indicates a decline in natural coastal wetlands, with intertidal mudflats and salt marshes reducing significantly.
Benefits of Mangroves for India:
| Benefits | Examples |
| Coastal Protection | Mangroves act as natural barriers against erosion, storms, and cyclones. They reduce wave impact, protecting coastal areas from damage. |
| Flood Mitigation | Mangroves stabilize sedimentation and help mitigate coastal flooding. In the Sundarbans region, mangroves help prevent inland flooding during monsoon seasons. |
| Biodiversity Habitat | Mangroves provide critical habitats for various plant and animal species, including endangered ones like the Bengal tiger and the Ganges river dolphin.
E.g., Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, hosts a diverse range of species, supporting biodiversity. |
| Livelihood Support | Mangroves contribute to the livelihoods of fisher communities. Programs in the Sundarbans demonstrate how involving local communities can lead to sustainable livelihoods for fisherfolk. |
| Water Quality Improvement | Mangroves act as natural filters, trapping sediments, pollutants, and excess nutrients. They improve water quality and benefit marine ecosystems. |
| Climate Change Mitigation | Mangroves absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, aiding in climate change mitigation. |
| Resilience to Climate Change | Mangroves show adaptability to sea-level rise and increased storm intensity. They recover relatively quickly from climate-related impacts. |
Initiatives for Mangroves:
Global:
- Mangrove Breakthrough: Introduced at UNFCCC COP27 by UN High-Level Climate Champions and Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA).
- Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) was established at the World Ocean Summit in 2018.
- Mangrove Alliance for Climate: Led by UAE in collaboration with Indonesia.
India:
- Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)
- Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs under the National Coastal Mission Programme
- Amrit Dharohar: To revive and conserve wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, eco-tourism, and livelihoods of local communities.
- Maharashtra even established a separate Mangrove Cell for focused conservation.
Conclusion:
Effective mangrove conservation requires a holistic approach, incorporating climate risk management, broader ecosystem health, and inclusive community involvement. The National Coastal Mission aims to drive these changes, ensuring mangroves and coastal ecosystems thrive amid environmental challenges.
Mains Link: UPSC 2019
Discuss the causes of the depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (15M)
Prelims Link: UPSC 2011
The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?
(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out.
(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster.
(c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami.
(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.
Solution: D
Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? (UPSC 2015)
(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh
(b) South-West Bengal
(c) Southern Saurashtra
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Ans: (d)
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 Reports in News
Reports in News
| Reports | Description |
| The Impact of Climate Change on Education | By World Bank |
| Key findings: Climate change intensifies extreme weather, disrupting schooling and causing learning losses. | |
| From 2005-2024, schools closed during 75% of extreme weather events, impacting over 5 million people. | |
| Rising temperatures and food insecurity also negatively affect learning outcomes and school enrollment. | |
| Climate events particularly harm girls in low-income countries, preventing at least 4 million from completing their education. | |
| Adaptation Approaches: | |
| Climate Resilient Education Management: Invest in early warning systems, e.g., Indonesia’s InaRISK app | |
| School Infrastructure Resilience: Strengthen buildings, e.g., Rwanda’s retaining walls project. | |
| Classroom Temperature Management: Implement bioclimatic designs, e.g., Kenya’s Green Economy Strategy. | |
| Learning Continuity: Keep schools open and enhance remote learning, e.g., Ghana’s nearly 100% re-enrollment post-COVID-19. | |
| The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, 2024 | Report by five UN agencies (FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO) |
| The report focuses on financing to end hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. It introduces a new definition for financing food security and nutrition, encompassing public and private, domestic and foreign resources aimed at availability, access, utilization, stability of nutritious foods, and resilience of agri-food systems. | |
| Current Gaps in Financing: Public spending on agriculture is very low in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. Less than a quarter of official development assistance is directed towards food security and nutrition. | |
| Status of Food Security and Nutrition: The world is off track to achieve SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). In 2023, 1 in 11 people faced hunger, with 713-757 million undernourished. 28.9% of the global population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity | |
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) :
Olympics 2024: Greenest Games Ever
Source: IE
Context: Paris 2024 aims to be the greenest Olympics, cutting emissions to 1.75 million tonnes, down from the usual 3.5 million tonnes.
This eco-friendly approach includes using existing buildings for 95% of events, generating power from geothermal and solar sources, and promoting sustainable food and transportation. Despite challenges like managing carbon emissions from air travel and dealing with high temperatures, the Games showcase a commitment to sustainability. The event highlights the urgent need for climate action as the world faces record-breaking temperatures and environmental crises.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP):
Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer
Source: UNESCO
Context: The Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine has been inscribed on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO.
The monastery, founded by Saint Hilarion, is one of the oldest in the Middle East and was a hub for religious, cultural, and economic exchanges during the Byzantine period. UNESCO’s decision follows a December 2023 move to grant the site provisional enhanced protection under the 1954 Hague Convention.
UNESCO, headquartered in Paris, leads global cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication, overseeing over 2000 World Heritage sites and various other cultural and educational networks.
Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)
Source: LM
Context: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest draft guidelines require banks to hold more liquid assets to handle potential bank runs, potentially slowing credit growth. Banks must now account for outflows from digital deposits when calculating the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)
What is the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR)?
The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) is a regulatory standard requiring banks to hold a sufficient amount of high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) that can be quickly converted to cash to meet their short-term obligations over a 30-day stress scenario. The goal is to ensure banks can survive a period of significant financial stress without needing external assistance. LCR in banking resulted from the Basel III agreement.
This move aims to ensure banks can meet sudden digital withdrawal demands, similar to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. However, this conservative approach may force banks to invest more in government securities, reduce credit growth, and maintain higher deposit rates.
GROWTH-India telescope
Source: HT
Context: India’s first fully robotic telescope, the GROWTH-India telescope at the Indian Astronomical Observatory in Ladakh, captured a building-sized asteroid as it approached Earth.
The telescope, part of a joint venture by IIT Bombay and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, tracked the asteroid’s rapid movement, causing background stars to appear as streaks. This 0.7m wide-field telescope specializes in time-domain astronomy and is part of the Global Relay of Observatories Watching Transients Happen (GROWTH) initiative. The project is funded by India’s DST-SERB and the NSF.
Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)
Source: ET
Context: India has taken over as Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for 2024-25, with Rajendra Singh from NDMA assuming the role.
Aim: This move aims to strengthen India’s leadership in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
About ADPC:
The Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) is an autonomous international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1986 in Bangkok, Thailand, its founding members include India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 Mapping:
Jabiluka uranium site (Australia)
Source: IE
Context: Australia has banned mining at the Jabiluka uranium site, located within Kakadu National Park, in a victory for the Indigenous Mirarr people who have fought for decades to protect their land. This decision aligns with the wishes of the Mirarr, who have cared for the land for over 60,000 years.
Australia has around one-third of the world’s uranium deposits. Uranium deposits in India are primarily found in crystalline rocks. Jharkhand state holds 70% of the country’s uranium reserves.
Tags: Jabiluka uranium site (Australia), Mapping
Key Phrases: Jabiluka uranium site (Australia)
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 July 2024 [PDF]
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