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2023 07 31

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 3:

  1. All India Tiger Estimation 2022

Content for Mains Enrichment

  1. Words derived from Greek and Roman mythology and used today

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. Hazrat Imam Hussain
  2. Issues with the UDAN scheme
  3. Urea Gold
  4. Maharashtra’s Sahyadri plateau
  5. Ureilite

Mapping

  1. Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Note: Rest of the today’s Articles will be covered tomorrow

All India Tiger Estimation 2022

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Environment and Conservation

Source: PIB

Context: On the occasion of Global Tiger Day (July 29), a detailed report on the All-India Tiger Estimation 2022 was released.

Highlights of the report:

  • According to the Wildlife Institute of India’s (WII) 5th quadrennial tiger census, India’s tiger population increased to 3,682 in 2022.
  • The numbers in the report, revised from 3167 earlier, reflect a commendable annual growth rate of 6.1% per annum.
  • The largest tiger population of 785 is in MP, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
  • The tiger abundance within the Tiger Reserve is highest in Corbett (260), followed by Bandipur (150), Nagarhole (141), Bandhavgarh (135), Dudhwa (135),
  • Central India and the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains witnessed a notable increase in tiger population, while the Western Ghats experienced localised declines, necessitating targeted monitoring and conservation efforts.
  • Some states, including Mizoram, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Goa, Chhattisgarh and Arunachal Pradesh, have reported disturbing trends with small tiger populations.

Efforts to conserve the species:

  • Global Tiger Day (July 29): It was instituted in 2010 at the Tiger Summit in St Petersburg, Russia when the 13 tiger range countries came together to create Tx2 – the global goal to double the number of wild tigers by the year 2022.
  • Project Tiger of India:
    • It was launched by the Central government on April 1, 1973, at the Jim Corbett National Park of Uttarakhand to promote the conservation of the tiger.
    • It didn’t just focus on the conservation of the big cats but also ensured the preservation of their natural habitat as tigers are at the top of the food chain.
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) of India: It was established in 2005, following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, to reorganise the management of Project Tiger and India’s many Tiger Reserves in India.
  • Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE):
    • It was adopted from the framework of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
    • Since its inception in 2006, MEE has been jointly conducted by the NTCA and the WII and has paved the path for a successful evaluation of national tiger conservation efforts in India.

The success story of India’s conservation efforts:

  • Today, there are 54 tiger reserves across India, spanning 75,000 sq km.
  • Nearly 75% of the global tiger population (in the wild) can today be found in India.

Challenges for the world and India:

  • Overall, the designated year (2022) for achieving the goals of Tx2 saw uneven progress. For example, the countries in Southeast Asia struggled to control population decline.
  • For India,
    • The tiger population of the country cannot be increased at the same pace because that will result in an increase in conflict with human beings.
    • Action on key agendas like carbon capture and climate change, fund flow as well as village relocation has been the weakest performing area for Indian tiger reserves.

Way ahead:

  • There is a need to strongly continue the eco-friendly development agenda, minimise mining impacts, and rehabilitate mining sites.
  • Vital steps to protect the country’s tiger populations include –
    • Fortifying protected area management,
    • Intensifying anti-poaching measures,
    • Employing scientific thinking and technology-driven data collection, and
    • Addressing human-wildlife conflict.

Insta Links:

Can we democratise tiger conservation in India?

Prelims Links: UPSC 2020

Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

  1. Corbett
  2. Ranthambore
  3. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam
  4. Sunderbans

Ans: 3

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, 31 July CA, All India Tiger Estimation 2022, GS 3, International Tiger Day, NTCA., Project Tiger, Tiger Census, Today's Article, Today’s article, WII

Words derived from Greek and Roman mythology and used today

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: IE
Word Derived from Meaning in Contemporary Usage
Promethean Prometheus Rebelliously and daringly creative or innovative.
Nemesis Nemesis Avenger or punisher, also the punishment itself.
Paean Paean Song of thanksgiving and praise.
Protean Proteus Varying, versatile.
Jovial Jupiter Always happy, inspiring mirth.
Saturnalia Saturn Unrestrained revelry, wild celebration, happy time
Saturnine Saturn Gloomy, serious, sombre.
Bacchanalian Bacchus The celebration marked by feasting and revelry.

Story of Prometheus:

He was one of the Titans in Greek mythology that stole fire from the Olympian Gods and gave it to humanity, thus equipping mortals with the means to spread civilization – as well as destroy it. For his transgression, he was punished by Zeus, the king of Olympians. Prometheus has represented the eternal quest of humans for knowledge, and the tragedy that often accompanies this quest.

Story of Nemesis:

It was the name given to the goddess of retribution in Greek mythology who saw to it that a successful person does not become proud or haughty – if that happened, she would put him in his place by punishing him.

Story of Proteus:

It was a sea god who could change his shape and form to avoid capture by his enemies. From the myth is derived the English word protean.

Story of Bacchus:

The story of The Greek god of wine was Bacchus in whose honour wild celebrations used to be held which were characterized by frenzy. So, bacchanalia indicates a celebration marked by bacchanalian feasting and revelry.

Usage: You may use the words as well as the story behind them in an Essay paper to value add to your arguments.

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Today's Article, Words derived from Greek and Roman mythology

Hazrat Imam Hussain

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: On the occasion of Ashura, PM Narendra Modi remembered the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain. He praised his courage and commitment to the ideals of justice and human dignity.

Who was Hazrat Imam Hussain (626 to 680 AD)?

He was a grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muhammad’s daughter Fatima. He is the third Imam of Shia Islam after his brother, Hasan, and before his son, Ali. He is highly revered for his stand against injustice and tyranny.

What is Ashura?

Ashura is a significant day in the Islamic calendar, observed on the 10th day of Muharram. It marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his followers in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. The event symbolizes the struggle for justice and the fight against oppression in the face of great adversity. It holds deep religious and spiritual significance for Muslims, especially the Shia community.

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Ashura, Hazrat Imam Hussain, Today's Article

Issues with the UDAN scheme

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: UDAN, aimed at improving air connectivity for smaller cities, is facing turbulence as 225 out of 479 RCS routes have ceased operations.

Issues with the UDAN Scheme:
Issues Examples
Route Closures 225 out of 479 RCS routes have ceased operations.
Examples: 128 routes shut down before completing the mandatory three-year period, and 97 routes shut down after completing the three-year period.
Commercial Unviability Airlines found 70 routes to be commercially unviable despite the subsidy. SpiceJet operates only 20 out of 74 routes awarded to it under the scheme.
Airport Readiness Airlines cite a lack of readiness in some airports as a reason for not operating certain routes. Examples: Thanjavur, Moradabad, Saharanpur, and Ayodhya airports were not ready for operations.
Non-compliance by Airlines Some routes were cancelled due to non-compliance by

the airline operators. Example: Air Deccan and Air Odisha shut down leading to route cancellations.
Financial Challenges Airlines struggling to establish markets due to low

passenger demand. Example: SpiceJet’s attempt to establish markets

on certain routes faced low passenger demand.
Inadequate Airport Infrastructure The lack of proper infrastructure at certain airports

hindered operations. Example: Airports like Thanjavur, Moradabad,

Saharanpur and Ayodhya were not ready for operations.

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Today's Article, UDAN scheme

Urea Gold

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: CNBC

Context: Urea Gold is a new variety of urea coated with sulphur, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthan’s Sikar.

Aim: It is designed to address sulphur deficiencies in the soil, benefiting farmers by enhancing agricultural productivity.

Urea Gold is said to be better than conventional forms of Urea (including Neem coated urea)

  • Slow release: Sulphur-coated urea facilitates a gradual release of nitrogen, thereby enhancing its availability and uptake by crops.
  • Extended Life: The inclusion of humic acid in Urea Gold further extends its lifespan as a fertilizer.
  • Reduces overall fertilizer usage: According to the report, 15 kg of Urea Gold provides comparable benefits to 20 kg of conventional urea, making it a more efficient and effective choice for farmers.

About Urea:

The main function of Urea fertilizer (40% of Nitrogen content) is to provide the plants with nitrogen to promote green leafy growth. It also aids the photosynthesis process of plants. Since urea fertilizer can provide only nitrogen and not phosphorus or potassium, it’s primarily used for bloom growth.

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Today's Article, Urea Gold

Maharashtra’s Sahyadri plateau

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Land-use changes in Maharashtra’s Sahyadri plateau, specifically the rapid shift from traditional local grain cultivation to monoculture plantations of mango and cashew, are impacting various elusive amphibians, insects, and reptiles that live under loose rocks.

  • The study was supported by the United Kingdom-based On the Edge Conservation, the Habitat Trust (India) and the Maharashtra Forest Department apart from BEAG and NCF.

What is a Plateau?

A plateau is a flat, elevated landform with a relatively level surface, often surrounded by steep slopes or cliffs. It is higher than the surrounding areas and typically stretches over large areas.

About Sahyadri plateau:

The Sahyadri plateau is located in the western part of India, parallel to the Arabian Sea. It stretches from Gujarat in the north to Karnataka in the south. It has an average elevation of around 1,000 meters.

About Sahyadri mountain ranges

The Western Ghats of Maharashtra are locally known as the Sahyadri ranges. Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra. Kaas Plateau also known as the Maharashtra Valley of Flowers is situated in the Sahyadri range of Western Ghats.

Related news: 

Destruction of rocks 

Source: TH

The Deccan Sheet Rocks in Hyderabad are home to a unique and vibrant ecosystem, including rare flora and fauna. However, the rapid destruction of these rocks due to urban development is threatening the survival of this diverse ecosystem.

How the destruction of rocks affects flora and fauna?

  1. It disrupts their natural habitats, leading to the loss of biodiversity.
  2. Many plants and animals, especially those adapted to rocky environments, lose their homes and food sources.
  3. This disruption can result in the decline or extinction of certain species, impacting the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
  4. The removal of rocks can alter microclimates and water availability, further affecting the survival of flora and fauna.

July 31, 2023 /[/su_note], 31 July 2023, Today's Article

Ureilite

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Weather

Context: A recent study suggests that Madhya Pradesh’s famous Dhala impact crater was created by an extraordinarily rare and ancient meteorite known as Ureilite.

About the meteorite:

Meteorites are extra-terrestrial rocks or metallic objects that survive their journey through Earth’s atmosphere and land on the planet’s surface. They originate from asteroids, comets, or other celestial bodies in space.

What are Ureilites?

These are a rare class of primitive meteorites that consist of silicate rock with olivine and pyroxene, along with less than 10% of carbon, metal sulphides, and fine-grained silicates.

The Ureilite that created the Dhala crater was approximately one kilometre in diameter and crashed into Earth’s atmosphere at an extraordinary speed of 15 km/s about 2500 to 1700 million years ago.

Significance: With this discovery, scientists hope to uncover more secrets about the rare meteorite crater and its potential role in Earth’s early history, including its impact on bringing water to the planet and the development of life.

  • The Dhala crater is Asia’s largest and the world’s seventh-largest impact crater.

In India, three meteor impact craters are found:

  • Ramgarh in Rajasthan
  • Lonar in Maharashtra
  • Dhala in MP

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Dhala Crater, meteorite, Today's Article, Ureilite

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Mapping

Source: TH

Recently, an Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and an Indian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft visited Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI), enhancing the strategic reach and military interoperability between India and Australia.

India and Australia signed a Mutual Logistics Support agreement in 2020, and the two Navies signed the ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy to Navy Relationship’ document in August 2021.

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a remote territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean, approximately 3,000 km northwest of Perth in Western Australia, and comprise two coral atolls made up of 27 smaller islands.

July 31, 2023 /31 July 2023, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Today's Article