From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Challenges related to land degradation;
Why in the News?
The UNCCD, a treaty addressing desertification and drought, partnered with Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research to release an analysis ahead of COP16’s launch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What is Land Degradation?
Land degradation is defined by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as the “reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands” due to various pressures, including land use and management practices. This phenomenon results in diminished soil quality and productivity, affecting both ecosystems and human livelihoods.
Why is it a Matter of Concern?
Land degradation poses significant risks to both humans and ecosystems:
Water Insecurity: Land degradation exacerbates water scarcity and reduces access to safe water, leading to a higher incidence of water- and food-borne diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation lead to approximately 829,000 deaths per year from diarrheal diseases alone.
Food Security: It reduces the quality and quantity of food production, increasing malnutrition risks.
Health Risks: Degraded lands contribute to the spread of water- and food-borne diseases due to poor hygiene and lack of clean water. Respiratory issues can arise from soil erosion and dust.
Environmental Impact: Eroded soil carries fertilizers and pesticides into water bodies, harming aquatic life and communities dependent on these resources.
Climate Change: Healthy soils act as carbon sinks. Degradation leads to the release of stored carbon and nitrous oxide, exacerbating global warming. The report indicates that land ecosystems’ capacity to absorb human-caused carbon dioxide has decreased by 20% over the last decade.
What is Causing Land Degradation?
Chemical Overuse: Excessive fertilisers and pesticides degrade soil; 50% of agricultural land suffers from nutrient depletion, salinisation, and waterlogging affecting 30% of irrigated lands globally.
Soil Erosion: Unsustainable farming practices lead to the loss of 24 billion tons of fertile soil annually, reducing crop yields by up to 50% in some regions.
Climate Change: Extreme weather events reduce global crop yields by 10%-50% by 2050; 12.6% of drylands were degraded between 1982-2015, affecting 213 million people.
Urbanization: Rapid urban growth of 1 million hectares per year destroys habitats, reduces farmland, and increases runoff, exacerbating soil erosion and biodiversity loss.
Deforestation and Overgrazing: 420 million hectares of forest lost since 1990; overgrazing degrades 34% of the global degraded area, weakening soil health and ecosystems.
Which Areas are the Worst Affected?
Dry Regions: Areas such as South Asia, northern China, California (USA), and the Mediterranean are particularly vulnerable.
Global Context: Approximately 15 million square kilometers of land are already degraded an area larger than Antarctica with an additional million square kilometers degrading each year. A third of humanity lives in drylands, which encompass three-quarters of Africa.
Way forward:
Sustainable Land Management Practices: Promote eco-friendly agricultural methods, reforestation, and efficient irrigation to restore soil health, combat erosion, and improve water retention in degraded lands.
Global Collaboration and Policy Implementation: Strengthen international frameworks like the UNCCD, allocate resources for affected regions, and adopt policies that integrate land restoration with climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Mains PYQ:
Q The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (UPSC IAS/2020)
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Banking Sector Reforms;
Why in the News?
The Lok Sabha passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, marking the first piece of legislation to be approved during the Winter Session after the resolution of a week-long impasse.
What are the key features of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024?
Nomination Provisions: The Bill allows bank account holders to nominate up to four individuals for their accounts, with options for either successive or simultaneous nominations. However, locker holders will only have the option for successive nominations.
Redefinition of “Substantial Interest”: The threshold for defining “substantial interest” for directorships is proposed to increase from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore, reflecting current economic conditions.
Tenure of Directors: The tenure of directors (excluding chairpersons and whole-time directors) in cooperative banks will be extended from eight years to ten years, aligning with provisions in the Constitution (Ninety-Seventh Amendment) Act, 2011.
Common Directorships: The Bill permits directors of Central Cooperative Banks to serve on the boards of State Cooperative Banks under certain conditions.
Auditor Remuneration: It grants banks greater flexibility in determining the remuneration for statutory auditors, which was previously regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the central government.
Reporting Dates: The reporting dates for regulatory compliance will shift from the second and fourth Fridays to the 15th and last day of every month, streamlining oversight processes.
What are the reasons for this amendment?
Enhancing Governance: The amendments aim to strengthen governance standards within banks, ensuring better protection for depositors and investors while improving audit quality in public sector banks.
Customer Convenience: By allowing multiple nominations, the Bill intends to simplify inheritance processes related to bank deposits and reduce instances of unclaimed deposits after an account holder’s demise.
Alignment with Constitutional Provisions: Increasing director tenures in cooperative banks aligns banking regulations with constitutional amendments that govern cooperative societies.
What would be the significant impact of this amendment?
Improved Customer Experience: The ability to nominate multiple individuals enhances customer convenience and ensures smoother transitions in account management after an account holder’s death.
Strengthened Governance Framework: By redefining substantial interest and increasing director tenures, the Bill aims to foster a more robust governance framework within cooperative banks, potentially leading to better decision-making and accountability.
Regulatory Compliance Efficiency: Changing reporting dates is expected to improve compliance efficiency, allowing banks to better align their reporting practices with regulatory requirements.
What is the criticism faced by the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024?
Concerns Over Financial Practices: Opposition leaders raised concerns regarding rising imports from China amid strained relations and questioned broader financial practices like demonetization and electoral bonds.
Banking Fees and Cybersecurity Risks: Critics highlighted issues related to fees for basic banking services such as ATM withdrawals and SMS alerts, particularly emphasizing vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens concerning cyber fraud.
Economic Context: Some opposition members criticized the timing of the Bill against a backdrop of economic challenges such as inflation exceeding growth rates, potentially leading to stagflation. They expressed skepticism about whether these amendments would effectively address underlying economic issues.
Way forward:
Addressing Broader Economic Concerns: The government should focus on macroeconomic reforms to manage inflation and foster sustainable growth. The Banking Laws Amendment should be complemented by policies that address the root causes of economic challenges, ensuring the banking sector thrives amidst broader financial stability.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Customer Protection: Banks should enhance security measures, especially for senior citizens, to safeguard against rising cyber fraud.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Indian and USA Constitution; President;
Why in the News?
U.S. President Joe Biden has issued an unconditional pardon to his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing for federal tax and gun-related convictions.
What is the history of the pardoning power in the U.S.?
Constitutional Basis: The U.S. Constitution grants the President the power to grant pardons for federal offenses under Article II, Section 2, which states that the President can “grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment”.
Historical Use: This power has been exercised by every president since George Washington. Notable historical examples include George Washington’s pardon of participants in the Whiskey Rebellion and Bill Clinton’s pardon of his half-brother Roger on his last day in office.
Controversial Pardons: The pardoning power has often been mired in controversy, with instances such as Donald Trump pardoning his son-in-law’s father and Joe Biden now pardoning his son Hunter. These actions have raised questions about nepotism and pthe olitical motivations behind such decisions.
What is the current controversy?
Hunter Biden’s Pardon: President Joe Biden granted an unconditional pardon to his son Hunter for federal tax and gun convictions.
This decision has sparked significant backlash from both Republicans and some Democrats, who view it as an abuse of power and a contradiction to Biden’s earlier statements that he would not intervene in his son’s legal matters.
Political Motivations: Biden defended his decision by claiming Hunter was unfairly prosecuted due to political motives. Critics argue that this reflects a broader pattern of using presidential pardons for personal or political gain, undermining public trust in the justice system 37.
What is the Indian system?
Constitutional Provisions: In India, Articles 72 and 161 empower the President and Governors to grant pardons, commutations, remissions, or reprieves. Unlike in the U.S., these powers are exercised on the advice of the council of ministers.
Nature of Pardon: A pardon in India absolves an offender from conviction and all associated disqualifications. The Supreme Court has held that this power is subject to judicial review to prevent arbitrary or biased decisions.
Political Controversies: Similar to the U.S., pardoning decisions in India have been embroiled in political controversies, often reflecting governmental biases or public sentiment at the time.
Way Forward
Need for Reform: Critics argue that modern uses of pardoning powers often serve political interests rather than justice. There is a call for reform to ensure that these powers are exercised transparently and judiciously.
Establishing Review Mechanisms: Learning from practices in other democracies, such as the UK’s Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice, could help establish a more systematic approach to reviewing pardons and clemency applications 6.
Maintaining Public Trust: It is crucial for any future exercise of pardoning power to be conducted without perceptions of nepotism or bias.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: World Wildlife Conservation Day
Why in the News?
World Wildlife Conservation Day (December 4) reminds us to focus on preserving and protecting the critically endangered species in India and globally.
The theme for this year is “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”.
World Wildlife Conservation Day: Key Facts
Observed annually on December 4th.
Purpose: Raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
It was established in 2012 by the UN, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1948 signing of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
It supports global efforts for wildlife conservation, aligns with SDG 15 (life on land) and SDG 14 (life below water).
Aims for India’s Critically Endangered Species
As of 2022, 73 species in India are classified as critically endangered, meaning they are at highest risk of extinction in the wild.
The number of critically endangered species has risen from 47 in 2011, partly due to better data availability and monitoring.
India has 9 critically endangered mammal species, out of which 8 are endemic (found only in specific regions within India).
These include: Kashmir Stag (Hangul), Malabar Large-spotted Civet, Andaman Shrew, Jenkin’s Shrew, Nicobar Shrew, Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Large Rock Rat, and Leafletted Leaf-nosed Bat.
Though these animals receive significant attention for tourism purposes, they are only three of the critically endangered species in India.
Lions: Asiatic lions in the Gir Forest are critically endangered.
Tigers: Bengal tigers are also listed as critically endangered.
Cheetahs: They are also part of India’s endangered wildlife.
Great Indian Bustard is a bird facing significant threats due to power lines in Rajasthan.
PYQ:
[2014] The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of:
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Marburg Virus
Why in the News?
An outbreak of Marburg Virus (Bleeding Eyes) disease (MVD) has killed and infected many in Rwanda.
Location of Rwanda
AboutMarburg Virus:
Overview
• Causes Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), also known as Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever.
• Belongs to the filovirus family (same as Ebola).
• Discovered during outbreaks in 1967 in Marburg and Frankfurt, Germany.
• Case Fatality Rate ranges from 24% to 88%, depending on the strain and treatment effectiveness.How does it spread?• Animal to Human Transmission: Spread primarily from Rousettus bats, especially Egyptian fruit bats found in caves or mines.
• Human to Human Transmission: Spread through direct contact with blood and bodily fluids (saliva, vomit, feces, semen, and breast milk). Also transmitted indirectly through contaminated surfaces or clothing.
Symptoms and Treatment
• Early signs include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and severe diarrhoea.
• Progresses to bleeding from various body parts, and death typically occurs 8-9 days after symptoms due to blood loss and organ failure.
• No approved vaccine or antiviral treatment. Supportive care includes hydration, symptom management, and blood transfusions. Experimental vaccines are being studied.
Why is it a Global Concern?
• High Fatality Rate: MVD’s case fatality rate (24%-88%) makes it one of the deadliest diseases.
• Spread: Ongoing outbreaks, primarily in Africa, but now affecting Rwanda and Tanzania.
• Public Health Threat: Human-to-human transmission and rapid spread pose significant challenges.
• Economic Impact: Outbreaks disrupt local economies, healthcare systems, and global trade due to travel restrictions and quarantine measures.
PYQ:
[2015] Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Windfall Gains Tax
Why in the News?
With global oil prices stabilizing and domestic fuel supply improving, the government has decided to scrap the windfall gains tax, ensuring more predictable taxation for the oil industry.
What isWindfall Tax?
A windfall tax is a levy imposed on companies experiencing unexpected profits due to external factors like market shifts or crises.
In India, it was introduced on July 1, 2022, targeting domestic crude oil production and exports of diesel, petrol, and ATF.
The tax aimed to capture windfall profits and ensure adequate domestic fuel supply amid rising global prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tax was imposed as Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on crude oil, and Additional Excise Duty (AED) or Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC) on fuel exports.
Initially, the tax was Rs 23,250 per tonne on crude oil, Rs 13 per litre on diesel exports, and Rs 6 per litre on petrol and ATF exports.
The tax was regularly reviewed based on global oil price fluctuations.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA)
Why in the News?
A recent study published in the ‘Nature’ has shown that Extrachromosomal DNA(ecDNA)ispresent in approximately 50% of cancer types, playing a significant role in tumor evolution and genetic heterogeneity.
What is ecDNA?
Details
• ecDNA stands for extrachromosomal DNA, which is small, circular DNA found in the nucleus of cells, separate from regular chromosomes.
• Forms when DNA breaks off from chromosomes, often due to damage or errors in cell division.
• Can carry extra copies of oncogenes, which promote cancer growth.
• Initially thought to be unimportant, recent studies show it plays a major role in cancer.
How ecDNA Contributes to Cancer and Drug Resistance
• Helps Tumors Grow: ecDNA contains extra copies of oncogenes that help cancer cells grow faster and become more aggressive.
• Drug Resistance: The extra oncogenes make the cancer harder to treat with standard drugs by producing more harmful proteins.
• Faster Tumor Evolution: ecDNA allows cancer cells to evolve rapidly, making them more resistant to treatments like chemotherapy and enabling the tumor to grow even when drugs are used.
How ecDNA Challenges Genetics Laws?
Mendel’s Law says that genes on different chromosomes are inherited independently, meaning they are passed on randomly to the next generation.
ecDNA breaks this rule by grouping genes together and passing them on as a cluster during cell division.
This allows cancer cells to inherit beneficial genes more easily and helps the tumor grow faster.
Unlike regular chromosomes, which are distributed randomly during cell division, ecDNA is passed on together as a package.
This process gives cancer cells an advantage by making sure they inherit helpful genetic combinations that support cancer growth and resistance to drugs.
