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  • Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

    What are Synthetic Medical Images?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Synthetic medical images are AI-generated images created without using traditional imaging devices like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.

    Why in the News?

    As we consider how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming various fields, one emerging area is the use of synthetic medical images in healthcare.

    What are Synthetic Medical Images?

    • Synthetic medical images are AI-generated images created without using traditional imaging devices like MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.
    • These images are constructed using mathematical models or AI techniques, such as generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders.

    Advantages offered

    • Intra- and Inter-Modality Translation: Generate images from the same or different types of scans, helping when certain scans are unavailable.
    • Privacy Protection: Created without patient data, reducing privacy concerns and easing data sharing for research.
    • Cost and Time Efficiency: Synthetic images are quicker and cheaper to generate compared to real medical scans.
    • Scalability: Easier to produce large volumes of medical data for AI training and research.

    Challenges posed

    • Potential for Misuse: Could be used to create medical deepfakes, leading to fraudulent claims or fake clinical findings.
    • Lack of Real-World Complexity: May not capture subtle details found in real medical data, potentially lowering diagnostic accuracy.
    • Truth Erosion: Relying too heavily on synthetic data may distort AI models, leading to diagnoses that don’t align with real-world cases.
    • Ethical and Regulatory Concerns: Questions around how these images should be controlled and monitored to avoid misuse.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs
    3. Disease diagnosis
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 4 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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  • Financial Inclusion in India and Its Challenges

    NABARD Survey on Rural Financial Inclusion

    DOMR | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues

    Why in the News?

    The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has published findings from its second All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22.

    About the NAFIS 2021-22

    • The survey gathered primary data from 1 lakh rural households across 28 states and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
    • The first NAFIS survey was conducted for the agricultural year 2016-17, with results released in 2018.
    • This survey provides valuable information on rural economic and financial indicators, especially in the post-COVID period.

     

    Key Highlights from NAFIS 2021-22:

    Details
    1. Increase in Average Monthly Income • Average monthly income increased by 57.6% from Rs. 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs. 12,698 in 2021-22, indicating a nominal CAGR of 9.5%.
    • Agricultural households earned slightly more, with an average income of Rs. 13,661, compared to Rs. 11,438 for non-agricultural households.
    • Salaried employment was the largest income source for all households, accounting for approximately 37% of total income.
    • For agricultural households, cultivation was the main income source, contributing about one-third of their monthly earnings.
    • For non-agricultural households, government/private services contributed 57% of the total household income.
    2. Rise in Average Monthly Expenditure • Average monthly expenditure increased from Rs. 6,646 in 2016-17 to Rs. 11,262 in 2021-22.
    • Agricultural households had higher expenditure at Rs. 11,710, compared to Rs. 10,675 for non-agricultural households.
    • In states like Goa and Jammu & Kashmir, monthly household expenditure exceeded Rs. 17,000.
    • Overall, agricultural households demonstrated both higher income and expenditure levels than non-agricultural households.
    3. Increase in Financial Savings • Annual average financial savings rose to Rs. 13,209 in 2021-22 from Rs. 9,104 in 2016-17.
    • 66% of households reported saving money in 2021-22, up from 50.6% in 2016-17.
    • 71% of agricultural households reported savings, compared to 58% of non-agricultural households.
    • States with 70% or more households saving money include Uttarakhand (93%), Uttar Pradesh (84%), and Jharkhand (83%).
    • States with less than half of households reporting savings are Goa (29%), Kerala (35%), Mizoram (35%), Gujarat (37%), Maharashtra (40%), and Tripura (46%).
    4. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Usage • 44% of agricultural households possessed a valid Kisan Credit Card (KCC).
    • Among those with land holdings greater than 0.4 hectares or who had taken agricultural loans from banks in the past year, 77% had a valid KCC.
    5. Insurance Coverage • Households with at least one member covered by any form of insurance increased from 25.5% in 2016-17 to 80.3% in 2021-22.
    • 80.3% means that four out of every five households had at least one insured member.
    • Agricultural households had higher insurance coverage than non-agricultural households by about 13 percentage points.
    • Vehicle insurance was the most prevalent, with 55% of households covered.
    • Life insurance coverage extended to 24% of households, with agricultural households showing slightly higher penetration (26%) compared to non-agricultural ones (20%).
    6. Pension Coverage • Households with at least one member receiving any form of pension increased from 18.9% in 2016-17 to 23.5% in 2021-22.
    • Overall, 54% of households with at least one member over 60 years old reported receiving a pension.
    • Pensions included old age, family, retirement, or disability pensions, highlighting their importance in supporting elderly members of society.
    7. Financial Literacy • Respondents demonstrating good financial literacy increased from 33.9% in 2016-17 to 51.3% in 2021-22, a rise of 17% points.
    • Individuals exhibiting sound financial behavior increased from 56.4% to 72.8% during the same period.
    • When assessed on financial knowledge, 58% of rural respondents and 66% of semi-urban respondents answered all questions correctly.

    Key aspects that contribute to Rural Empowerment

    • The survey shows significant progress in rural financial inclusion since the first survey in 2016-17.
    • Rural households have seen improvements in income, savings, insurance coverage, and financial literacy.
    • Government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, MGNREGS, and PMAY-G have contributed to the improvement in the lives of rural people.

    PYQ:

    [2015] Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana was launched by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on 28 August 2014. What is the main objective of the scheme?

    (a) To provide housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates

    (b) To promote women’s Self Help Groups in backward areas

    (c) To promote financial inclusion in the country

    (d) To provide financial help to marginalised communities

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    What is the Samsung worker’s strike in Chennai about?

    Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    Approximately two-thirds of workers at Samsung’s flagship factory in Chennai have been on strike for a month, demanding higher wages, an eight-hour workday, improved conditions, and union recognition.

    What are the main demands of the striking workers?

    • Higher Wages: Workers are demanding increased salaries to improve their financial conditions.
    • Eight-Hour Work Day: The employees seek the implementation of an eight-hour workday to ensure better work-life balance.
    • Better Working Conditions: Strikers are advocating for improved health and safety standards in the workplace.
    • Recognition of Labour Union: The workers want formal acknowledgment of their recently formed union, the Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU).

    What is Samsung’s union policy?

    • Historically, Samsung has maintained a strict no-union policy for over 80 years, resisting any collective bargaining efforts by employees.
    • In July 2021, the company began to recognize unions after successful negotiations at Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics, allowing for some degree of collective bargaining.
    • Samsung now has various unions representing its workforce globally, with significant representation in South Korea.

    Why was SIWU unrecognised? 

    • Registration Challenges: SIWU’s registration has been opposed by Samsung management, citing trademark violations due to the use of the name “Samsung” in the union’s title.
    • Legal Precedents: SIWU argues that trademark issues should not apply, as their activities do not involve commercial undertakings that could infringe on the trademark.
    • Pending Legal Review: The case regarding SIWU’s registration is pending further court hearings, with the government examining objections raised by the management.

    What has been the govt.’s response?

    • Indifferent Stance: SIWU and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have accused the Tamil Nadu government of being indifferent and supportive of Samsung management, which the government denies.
    • Support for Workers’ Rights: The government claims it considers the registration application in light of Samsung’s objections and aims to ensure fair treatment of both workers and management.
    • CITU’s Position: Union leaders assert that government intervention in favor of management undermines the rights of workers and can deter unionization efforts, despite evidence showing that unions can benefit both employees and companies.

    Present Legislation in India:

    • Notice Period and Conditions for Strikes: Under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, workers must provide a 14-day notice before striking, which cannot exceed a maximum of 60 days.
    • Strike definition: The definition of a strike now includes “mass casual leave,” where over 50% of employees taking leave can be classified as a strike.
    • Increased Flexibility for Employers: The code has increased the threshold for layoffs from 100 to 300 workers, allowing companies to lay off employees without government approval.
    • This change aims to give employers greater flexibility in managing their workforce, which has raised concerns among labor unions about job security and workers’ rights.

    Way forward: 

    • Facilitate Dialogue and Mediation: Establish a formal dialogue between the workers, Samsung management, and government representatives to address grievances, negotiate demands, and work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
    • Strengthen Legal Framework for Union Recognition: Amend or clarify existing labor laws to ensure timely and transparent registration processes for unions, protecting their rights and enabling effective collective bargaining.

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  • Labour, Jobs and Employment – Harmonization of labour laws, gender gap, unemployment, etc.

    Fairwork India report highlights the absence of local living wage for gig workers, aggregators turning their back to collectivization

    Explained | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    Why in the News?

    The ‘Fairwork India Ratings 2024’ highlights that platform aggregators in India fail to ensure local living wages and resist recognizing the collective rights of workers.

    Who are the Gig Workers?

    • Gig workers are individuals who take up short-term, flexible work assignments, typically managed via digital platforms. In the Indian context, gig workers operate in various sectors such as food delivery, ride-hailing, logistics, and personal/domestic care services. 
    • These workers are not considered employees in the traditional sense and often lack the benefits associated with full-time employment, such as job security, healthcare, and social protection.
    • Examples of platforms using gig workers include Swiggy, Zomato (food delivery) Uber, Ola (transportation), etc.

    Key highlights as per the report: 

    • No Platform Scored Perfectly: No digital labor platform scored more than 6 out of 10 points, and none met all criteria across the five principles — Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contracts, Fair Management, and Fair Representation.
    • Fair Pay: Only BigBasket and Urban Company ensured a minimum wage, but no platform met the criteria for guaranteeing a living wage after work-related costs.
    • Fair Conditions: Several platforms (e.g., Amazon Flex, Swiggy, Zepto) provided safety equipment and training, but only a few offered comprehensive accident insurance and income loss compensation.
    • Fair Contracts: BigBasket, Swiggy, and others made contracts accessible and comprehensible, and provided data protection for workers.
    • Fair Management: Platforms like BluSmart and Zomato implemented processes for addressing grievances and preventing discrimination.

    Present Status of Gig Economy  in India:

    • Growth of the Gig Economy: India is witnessing rapid growth in the gig economy, with millions of workers depending on digital platforms for their livelihoods.
      • The rise of app-based platforms such as Uber, Zomato, and Urban Company has driven the expansion of gig work across urban areas.
    • Government Focus: Recent years have seen increasing political and legislative attention to gig worker welfare. Karnataka and Jharkhand are examples of states that have proposed new legislation to regulate platform work and protect gig workers’ rights.
    • Worker Conditions: Despite the expansion of gig work, platforms in India still lag in ensuring fair pay, safety, and management of gig workers.
      • The Fairwork India Ratings 2024 reveal that no platform scored above 6 out of 10, signaling considerable gaps in adhering to key labor standards.

    Challenges faced by the Gig Economy

    • Low Wages and Unstable Earnings: Many platforms fail to ensure a local living wage for workers after accounting for work-related costs. Only a few platforms like Bigbasket and Urban Company guarantee the local minimum wage, but none meet the standard of ensuring a living wage.
    • Lack of Social Security and Benefits: Most gig workers lack access to benefits such as healthcare, insurance, and paid leave. While a few platforms provide accident insurance, broader social security protections remain elusive.
    • Poor Working Conditions: Platforms often do not ensure adequate safety training or measures. While some like Swiggy, Zomato, and Zepto offer basic safety equipment and training, broader protections, especially in terms of income loss and sick leave, are limited.
    • Inflexible Contracts: Contracts on platforms are frequently unclear, lengthy, and not always comprehensible for workers, making it difficult for them to fully understand their rights and obligations.
    • Management Issues and Bias: Workers face arbitrary decisions and discipline without proper recourse. Though some platforms have mechanisms for workers to appeal decisions, few have adopted policies to ensure fairness in work allocation.
    • Collectivization Challenges: Platforms resist recognizing gig workers’ right to form unions or collective bodies. Despite the growing movement for gig worker collectivization, no platform showed evidence of supporting or acknowledging these efforts.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Legal Protections and Social Security: Introduce comprehensive legislation ensuring gig workers receive fair wages, social security benefits like healthcare and insurance, and clear, comprehensible contracts.
    • Promote Worker Representation and Fair Management: Encourage platforms to recognize collective bodies of gig workers, ensuring their right to unionize. Implement transparent and bias-free management practices, along with grievance redressal mechanisms, to improve working conditions and fairness.

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    What is fortified rice? Why did the Centre extend the initiative for its distribution of schemes

    Explained | Indian Society | Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Why in the News?

    On October 9, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved extending the free fortified rice supply under welfare programs until December 2028.

    Why Rice Fortification is needed?

    • Widespread Micronutrient Deficiency: India faces a significant public health challenge with micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid. Anaemia, caused by iron deficiency, is a persistent issue affecting large segments of the population, including children, women, and men.
    • Rice as a Staple Food: Given that 65% of India’s population consumes rice as a staple, it is an ideal vehicle to deliver essential micronutrients to combat these deficiencies, helping improve overall health, productivity, and cognitive development.

    Process of Rice Fortification:

    • Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK): The process involves producing fortified rice kernels that are enriched with essential micronutrients such as Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12.
    • Blending with Regular Rice: These fortified kernels are then blended with regular rice at a ratio prescribed by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
      • Typically, fortified kernels make up 1-2% of the total rice, ensuring consistent delivery of micronutrients without altering the taste or cooking properties of the rice.

    How the Fortification Initiative has fared so far?

    • The rice fortification scheme was implemented in three phases between 2022 and March 2024, with the target of achieving universal coverage in all government schemes by March 2024 successfully met.
    • Fortified rice is now supplied under major welfare programs like the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), and PM POSHAN in all states and Union Territories.
    • The initiative is fully funded by the central government, highlighting its commitment to tackling malnutrition and ensuring inclusive nutritional security across the country.

    How can food fortification help reduce malnutrition in India?

    • Combats Micronutrient Deficiencies: Fortifying staple foods with essential nutrients like iron and vitamins helps reduce widespread deficiencies that cause anemia and poor health.
    • Wide Reach: Through existing public programs (PDS, ICDS), fortified food reaches vulnerable populations, ensuring consistent nutrient intake for large segments of society.
    • Cost-Effective: It offers a scalable, affordable solution to malnutrition, improving health outcomes without significant changes in diets or eating habits.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Monitoring and Quality Control: Implement robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure the consistent quality of fortified rice and its proper distribution across welfare programs to maximize nutritional benefits.
    • Raise Awareness and Promote Consumption: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public on the health benefits of fortified rice, ensuring higher acceptance and consistent consumption to address widespread micronutrient deficiencies.

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  • Mount Dhaulagiri

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    Five Russian mountaineers lost their lives during an expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri in Nepal, the world’s seventh-highest peak.

    About Mount Dhaulagiri

    Details
    Location
    • North-central Nepal, in the Dhaulagiri Himal range;
    • “Dhaulagiri” from Sanskrit: “dhawala” (white/dazzling), “giri” (mountain);
    • Dhaulagiri Himal is part of the Nepal Himalayas.
    Elevation 8,167 meters (26,795 feet)
    Prominence 3,357 meters (11,014 feet)
    First Ascent May 13, 1960, by a Swiss-Austrian-Nepalese expedition
    Nearby River Kali Gandaki River flows in the gorge between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna
    Glaciers Chonbardan Glacier, Myagdi Glacier
    Climate & Conditions Extreme cold, high winds, unpredictable weather

     

    PYQ:

    [2019] Consider the following pairs:

    Glacier: River

    1. Bandarpunch: Yamuna
    2. Bara Shigri: Chenab
    3. Milam: Mandakini
    4. Siachen: Nubra
    5. Zemu: Manas

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
    (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
    (c) 2 and 5 only
    (d) 3 and 5 only

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  • Tiger Conservation Efforts – Project Tiger, etc.

    Amangarh Tiger Reserve

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The body of an eight-year-old tiger was found on the border of Amangarh Tiger Reserve of Bijnor and Jim Corbett National Park.

    About Amangarh Tiger Reserve

    Details
    Location Bijnor district, Uttar Pradesh, India
    Established 2012
    Area 80 square kilometers (approx.)
    Significance Part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve landscape (buffer zone of Jim Corbett National Park)
    Tiger Population Acts as a buffer zone for tigers migrating from Corbett Tiger Reserve
    Primary Fauna Tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, and several species of birds
    Flora Sal, teak, khair, and several other deciduous trees
    Rivers Ganga and Ramganga rivers flow near the reserve
    Significance in Conservation Part of “Project Tiger,” contributing to the national conservation strategy for tigers in India

     

    PYQ:

    [2012] Consider the following areas:

    1. Bandipur

    2. Bhitarkanika

    3. Manas

    4. Sunderbans

    Which of the above are Tiger Reserves?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2, 3 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    [pib] WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    • The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that India has successfully eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.
      • This makes India the third country in the Southeast Asia Region to achieve this milestone.
    • WHO has classified Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
    • WHO estimates that around 150 million people worldwide are affected by Trachoma, and 6 million of them are either blind or at risk of severe visual problems.
    • Trachoma is commonly found in underprivileged communities living in poor conditions.

    What is Trachoma?

    • Trachoma is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes.
    • It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis.
    • It is contagious, spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids, or secretions from the nose or throat of an infected person.
    • If untreated, Trachoma can lead to irreversible blindness.

    Trachoma in India: A Historical Perspective

    • In the 1950s and 1960s, Trachoma was one of the leading causes of blindness in India.
    • To tackle this, India launched the National Trachoma Control Program in 1963.
    • Later, these efforts were integrated into India’s National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
      • In 1971, the rate of blindness due to trachoma was 5% in the country.
      • Due to various interventions under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), the rate has now dropped to less than 1%.

    What are the key measures taken to eliminate Trachoma?

    • India implemented the WHO SAFE strategy across the country. This strategy includes:
    1. Surgery
    2. Antibiotics
    3. Facial hygiene
    4. Environmental cleanliness
    • Although by 2017, India was declared free from infective Trachoma, it continued surveillance of Trachoma cases from 2019 to 2024.

    PYQ:

    [2018] Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.

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  • What is the Marburg Virus?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    Rwanda has reported a Marburg virus outbreak with several confirmed cases and deaths, making it a country of concern for public health.

    About the Marburg Virus

    • The Marburg virus is a highly dangerous virus that causes Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), also known as Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever.
    • It belongs to the same family of viruses as Ebola (the filovirus family).
    • MVD has a case fatality rate that can range from 24% to 88%, depending on the virus strain and how cases are managed.
    • The virus was first identified in 1967 during simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany.

    How does it spread?

    • The Marburg virus initially spreads from animals to humans, primarily through exposure to Rousettus bats, particularly the Egyptian fruit bat, found in caves or mines.
    • Once a person is infected, it can spread from human to human through:
      • Direct contact with the blood, and bodily fluids (urine, saliva, sweat, vomit, feces, breast milk, and semen) of an infected person.
      • Indirect contact with surfaces or objects like bedding or clothing that have been contaminated with these fluids.
      • Medical workers are often at risk, especially during outbreaks, due to contact with patients when proper infection control practices are not followed.
      • The virus does NOT spread through the air like the common cold or flu.

    Symptoms and Treatment

    • Symptoms typically begin between 2 to 21 days after exposure to the virus.
    • Early symptoms are: High fever, severe headache, Muscle aches, Chills, Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting. 
    • As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms may develop, including: Bleeding (both internal and external) ex—blood in vomit and faeces.
    • Patients often die 8 to 9 days after the onset of symptoms, primarily from severe blood loss and multiple organ failure.
    • Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for MVD.  However, supportive care can improve the chances of survival.
    • Supportive treatment includes:
      • Rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
      • Treatment of specific symptoms like fever, pain, and diarrhoea.
      • Blood transfusions and oxygen therapy may be required for severe cases.

    PYQ:

    [2015] Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?

    (a) Syria and Jordan

    (b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia

    (c) Philippines and Papua New Guinea

    (d) Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    2023 driest for global rivers in 33 years, reveals WMO’s report

    Explained | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)‘s October 2024 report revealed that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in 33 years, intensifying stress on water supplies globally.

    What factors contributed to 2023 being the driest year for global rivers?

    • Record High Temperatures: 2023 was marked as the hottest year on record, which significantly contributed to prolonged drought conditions and reduced river flows across many regions globally.
    • Climate Change Impact: Rising temperatures have led to a more erratic hydrological cycle, resulting in both extreme droughts and flooding. This unpredictability has exacerbated water shortages in many areas.
    • Transition from La Niña to El Niño: The climatic shift from La Niña to El Niño conditions in mid-2023 played a crucial role in altering weather patterns, leading to widespread dry conditions in many regions while simultaneously causing flooding in others.
    • Glacier Melting: The report indicated that glaciers experienced their largest mass loss in 50 years, which threatens long-term water security for millions who rely on glacial meltwater for their water supply.

    How has climate change impacted global water resources and glacier conditions?

    • Increased Water Scarcity: The report highlighted that approximately 3.6 billion people currently lack reliable access to water for at least one month each year, a number expected to rise to over 5 billion by 2050 due to worsening water scarcity.
    • Glacier Dependency: Many regions depend on glacial meltwater for their river systems. As glaciers continue to shrink, future water availability is jeopardized, particularly in areas like Europe and North America.
    • Erratic Water Supply: The hydrological cycle’s acceleration leads to unpredictable rainfall patterns, causing both droughts and floods that disrupt agricultural and industrial water supplies.

    What are the implications for global water access and management?

    • Increased Demand vs. Supply Shortages: With growing populations and rising demand for water resources, the current trends indicate a critical imbalance between supply and demand, leading to heightened competition for available water resources.
    • Need for Improved Monitoring: The WMO emphasizes the necessity for better data collection and sharing regarding water resources. This is crucial for effective management strategies that can adapt to changing conditions.
    • Urgent Action Required: There is an urgent need for global cooperation and action to address these challenges. Enhanced monitoring systems and international collaboration are essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change on water resources.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Water Resource Management and Adaptation Strategies: Governments should implement integrated water resource management (IWRM) plans to address both water scarcity and flooding risks.
    • Enhance Global Cooperation and Data-Driven Decision Making: Countries must prioritize data-sharing, improve monitoring of water resources, and foster cross-border collaborations to manage shared water systems effectively.

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