Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

Editorials are covered separately. HINDU NOTES are available free date wise| CLICK HERE

70% of divisions receive lesser rainfall than average in 2018

News

• Of the 36 meteorological divisions in India, 25 (70%) received less rain during the South West monsoon in 2018 than the average precipitation in the last 118 years.
• There is wide variation in the average rainfall across geographical divisions. The graphic below compares South West Monsoon rainfall data for all divisions historically to find where their measures for 2016, 2017 and 2018 are placed.

Findings

• Rayalaseema had its fourth worst monsoon in 2018 (252 mm rain), since 1901, and 95% of mandals in the region were declared drought-hit
• In June & July 2018, it rained above par in Marathwada. But, it had the lowest rainfall for any September (31 mm) since 1901, leading to crop failure; 64 tehsils were declared drought-hit in October 2018
• Saurashtra & Kutch (316 mm) and the rest of Gujarat (696 mm) divisions had 32% and 21% lower rainfall respectively in 2018 than the average. Close to 3,300 villages were declared droughthit in Dec. 2018
• Jharkhand (789 mm) and Bihar (771 mm) had their fifth and tenth lowest monsoon rains respectively since 1901. More than 40% blocks in both States were declared drought-hit
• Karnataka’s northern division had its 13th worst monsoon since 1901. 88.6% area of the State was declared drought-hit, as the other two divisions, coastal and south, had marginally better monsoons than the average

The Northeast region had a poor monsoon season. Arunachal Pradesh received 1,191 mm during the 2018 monsoon, its seventh worst season since 1901.

Polar vortex freezes U.S. Midwest, temperature in Chicago hits sub-zero

News

• A blast of Arctic air from the polar vortex brought dangerous, bone-chilling cold to a wide swath of the United States, stretching from the Dakotas through Maine, with snow expected as far south as Alabama and Georgia.

Beyond News

• The brutal blast known as the polar vortex is a stream of cold air that spins around the stratosphere over the North Pole, but whose current has been disrupted and is now pushing south into the United States.
• According to the National Weather Service, the coldest recorded temperature in Chicago was -27°F (-33°C) on Jan. 20, 1985.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

UAE’s ties with India not dependent on third parties: envoy

News

• The United Arab Emirates’ relationship with India is not dependent on any third party, Ambassador asserted.

Beyond News

• Last month, Pakistan announced that the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development of UAE would give it $3 billion to help the country’s cash-strapped economy.
• On the long-pending issue of upgradation of the bilateral air services agreement, there were “some hiccups” due to lobbying by some Indian carriers. Citing the understanding reached between the two countries during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to the UAE last month, he, however, expressed confidence that a pact would be concluded “very soon.”
• There are 1,068 flights a week between all Indian airports and UAE airports with more than 1,68,000 seats per week.
• The agreement says that if occupancy reaches 85% then it’s time to revise the agreement. All UAE carriers have reached 100% occupancy and Indian carriers over 90% occupancy.

139 polluted cities not on clean air plan: report

News

• There are 139 Indian cities that breach air pollution standards but are not included in the Centre’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), says a report by Greenpeace.

Findings

• The NCAP was launched by the government earlier this month and is a ₹300 crore initiative to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024. Airpocalypse III, as the Greenpeace report is titled, analyses air pollution data of 313 cities and towns for the year 2017.
• Of these 313 cities, 241 (77%) had PM10 levels beyond the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These specify upper limits to a range of airborne chemicals and compounds.
• While 102 of these cities were included in the NCAP, the remaining 139 cities were left out.
• That’s because, say the authors of the report, the government’s list of 102 cities relied on average pollution data until 2015, whereas Airpocalypse III used data updated up to 2017.
• Even if the NCAP were to able to reduce pollution by 30% by 2024, 153 cities would still be left with pollution levels exceeding the NAAQS.
• Of the 139 cities that have not been included in the non-attainment list under the NCAP, there are several cities that have a population of more than 1 million, and PM levels (recorded in 2017) above NAAQS.
• The 102 cities, identified as hotspots of pollution, were asked to submit a plan for how they would address the problem. Broadly, the plans include increasing the number of monitoring stations, providing technology support, conducting source apportionment studies, and strengthening enforcement.
• As part of the NCAP, cities have been given a specified number of days to implement specific measures such as “ensuring roads are pothole-free to improve traffic flow and thereby reduce dust” (within 60 days) or “ensuring strict action against unauthorised brick kilns” (within 30 days). It doesn’t specify an exact date for when these obligations kick in.
• The World Health Organisation’s database on air pollution over the years has listed Tier I and Tier II Indian cities as some of the most polluted places in the world. In 2018, 14 of the world’s 15 most polluted cities were in India. A study ranked India as No.1 on premature mortality and deaths from air pollution.

No Indo-Nepal pact on tigers yet

News:

• Though India and Nepal had agreed to collaborate on conducting the tiger census in their countries in 2018, they’ve yet to sign an agreement on sharing detailed assessments of the numbers.
• With India’s census still ongoing, a senior official from Nepal said that they would not share data until India too shared its numbers.

Beyond News

• Nepal already publicised the results of its tiger census last September 235  and this represents an 18% rise from the 198 tigers in 2013.
• However, India needs details on the locations of these tigers, which are captured via camera traps, to be sure that some tigers found on the border are not double-counted.
• Prior to beginning its census India had also signed agreements with Bhutan and Bangladesh regarding sharing tiger numbers and conducting surveys using a common methodology. Both these countries had already shared data with India.
• Officially, India had 2,226 tigers as of 2014. An ongoing census is expected to reveal an update to these numbers. 25-35% of India’s tigers now lived outside protected reserves.
• The Chitwan National Park in Chitwan and Parsa Wildlife Reserve of Nepal are adjacent to the Balmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar. Likewise, Nepal’s Bardiya National Park adjoins India’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, while the Shuklaphant National Park in Nepal adjoins India’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
• Commissioned by the Union Environment Ministry’s National Tiger Conservation Authority, the ₹10 crore tiger census this year involves 40,000 forest guards traversing 4,00,000 sq. km. of forests; wildlife biologists independently assessing them; approximately a year’s duration of field work; 14,000 camera traps; and coordination with 18 States.
• Along with tigers, the survey also collects information on the prey population of deer and other animals. After States with tiger survey and compile data, they must send it to institutions such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun which analyses the numbers. The results are expected to be made public in May.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Treatment protocol for captive elephants

News

• Concerned over the high number of deaths of captive elephants, the Forest Department has introduced a strict treatment protocol to address inadequacies in their handling.

Beyond News

• The findings of an expert committee of veterinarians, has highlighted prolonged malnutrition, faulty feeding practices, overwork, and inadequate rest as the prime reasons behind the trend. The physiological and psychological stress caused to the animals has apparently led to many diseases, resulting in the deaths.
• The proposed measures include undertaking periodic health evaluation of the elephants. A programme for long-term health monitoring with a complete haematological and serum biochemistry analysis is mooted to ascertain the exact health status of the elephants.
• The Assistant Conservators of Forests (Social Forestry) have been entrusted with monitoring the compliance of the directive. The Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) must submit quarterly reports of the inspections.
• It is found that the treatments are being carried out without any support from clinical pathological tests or expert panel opinion. Modern diagnostic tests are seldom conducted.
• The expert panel also states that major physical injuries to captive elephants usually occur during their musth period owing to unscientific tethering practices that hamper their natural movement. Elephant owners have been directed to construct musth enclosures to address the problem.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DATE WISE CURRENT AFFAIRS