Current Affairs – April 04, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} Deep Sea Mining

• Context (IE): A Pacific Ocean seabed mined in 1979 has not recovered after 40+ years, raising concerns over the long-term ecological impact of deep-sea mining activities.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

• It is the process of extraction of mineral-rich nodules, sulphides, and crusts from the deep seabed below 200m depth (covers about 2/3^rd of the total seafloor).
• Resources Targeted: Elements essential for EVs, solar panels, wind turbines and electronics.
• Distribution: Richest deposits found in Clarion-Clipperton Zone (Pacific Ocean); Also located near hydrothermal vents and seamounts.

Types of Deep-Minerals

• Polymetallic Nodules: They are rounded potato-sized lumps of minerals found usually on the seabed across the abyssal plains. They are composed of manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• Seafloor Massive Sulfides (SMS): They are found around hydrothermal vents (where hot, mineral-rich fluids are released from the seafloor). They are composed of copper, gold, silver, zinc, etc.
• Cobalt-rich Crusts: They are found on seafloor seamounts and other volcanic features. They comprise cobalt, nickel, iron, manganese, and other metals.

Process

• Robotic vehicles collect polymetallic nodules like a plough.
• AI-controlled machines and vacuum pumps extract minerals.
• Processing is done on surface vessels, with waste often discharged back into the sea.

Current Status of Deep-Sea Mining

• Technological Frontier: Techniques remain experimental; most operations are in exploratory phases.
• Commercial mining has not yet started; only small-scale tests have been conducted.
• International Seabed Authority Regulation Pending: Deadline to finalise rules set for 2025.
• United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Oversight: High-seas mineral wealth designated as the “common heritage of mankind.”

Findings of the Study

• Long-Term Environmental Impact: Mining led to lasting sediment changes and declining marine organism populations.
• Sediment Plumes Impact: Limited long-term physical damage but uncertain effects on biodiversity.
• Ecosystem Fragility: Fixed large animals remained scarce even after 44 years.
• Partial Recovery Observed: Some areas showed no recovery; Certain animal groups began recolonizing.

Broader Environmental Concerns

• Harmful Noise and Vibrations affecting marine species like whales and sharks.
• Sediment Plumes discharged from processing vessels can increase water turbidity & can suffocate marine ecosystems and disrupt deep-sea food chains.
• Light Pollution from mining equipment affects deep-sea organisms adapted to darkness.
• Carbon Cycle Threat: Disturbance of deep-sea life may reduce ocean’s carbon sequestration capacity.
• Biodiversity Risk: Mining may endanger slow-reproducing, rare species dependent on seabed minerals.
• Impact on Fisheries: Potential disruption of fish populations crucial for Pacific Island economies.

Potential Benefits of Deep-Sea Mining

• Critical Mineral Supply: Addresses surging demand for minerals used in EVs & clean energy tech.
• Alternative to Land Mining: Reduces deforestation & freshwater contamination caused by land mining.
• Controlled Labor Conditions: Offshore mining mitigates human rights abuses in land-based extraction.
• Strategic Security: Lessens dependence on geopolitically sensitive mineral reserves.
• High Resource Concentration: Deep-sea nodules offer mineral-rich deposits in compact areas.

Way Forward: Policy Considerations

• Scientific Pause: Implement a precautionary moratorium until sufficient ecological data is available.
• Develop Inclusive Regulations: Establish transparent & enforceable laws with equitable benefit sharing.
• Promote Circular Economy: Boost battery recycling and extract minerals from e-waste and mine tailings.
• Explore Alternative Technologies: Support sodium-ion and Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (LiFePO4) to reduce reliance on cobalt and nickel.

Also refer to India’s Deep Ocean Mission.

{GS2 – IR – Diplomacy} India’s Greater Role at the Global/Regional Level

• Context (TH): Experts suggest India should play a more active political role in regional and international conflicts around the world.

India’s Decisive Role in the Past to Uphold Regional Stability and Security

• Bangladesh Liberation War (1971): India intervened militarily to stop a genocide and played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh, defeating the Pakistani forces.
• Operation Cactus (Maldives, 1988): India swiftly deployed forces to prevent an armed coup attempt by mercenaries, successfully restoring the Maldivian government.
• Sri Lanka (2009): India provided intelligence and diplomatic support to Sri Lanka in its defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a designated terrorist organisation.
• Anti-Piracy Operations: India has been actively combating piracy in the Indian Ocean, ensuring maritime security and protecting trade routes.

India has Consistently been a Net Contributor to Global Public Good

• Non-Aligned Movement: India provided political leadership to the Non-Aligned Movement to empower developing countries emerging from colonisation to find their voice
• Vaccine Maitri Initiative: India played a key role in global health by supplying millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses to countries in need, reinforcing its image as the “pharmacy of the world.”
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): India took the lead in sustainable energy by co-founding the International Solar Alliance, promoting solar energy adoption worldwide.
• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Sharing: India has shared its digital innovations, such as UPI (Unified Payments Interface), with several countries to enhance financial inclusion and governance.
• First Responder in Disasters: India has been at the forefront of humanitarian aid and disaster relief, swiftly responding to earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis in its neighborhood and beyond.

Possible Reasons for India’s Reserved Approach

• Economic Development: An Active political role in global or regional conflicts could adversely affect our growth and development.
• Bilateral Relations: Getting involved in regional conflicts may upset the strong bilateral relations that have been carefully cultivated with countries.

Why India Must Play Bigger Role?

• Economic Ambitions: At a time when the world order is disintegrating, India’s geopolitical vision should be larger, which will only help, not hinder, our economic aspirations.
• UNSC Permanent Member: India needs to do much more than take a stand or be a bystander, as it aspires to be a UNSC permanent member and also aspires to be an important pole in a multipolar world.
• If India does not play a bigger role, it is ceding space to countries such as Türkiye or Saudi Arabia to tackle conflicts in Europe, West Asia, Africa, or the South China Sea, where the stakes for India are high.
  • The U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Ukraine talks that took place in Saudi Arabia recently fit into an ambitious Saudi Arabia’s version of multi-alignment.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} BIMSTEC Maritime Pact and India’s Role

• Context (TP | IE): The 6^th BIMSTEC summit gains significance amid Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s controversial statement.

Growing Importance of BIMSTEC

• Regional Alternative to SAARC: BIMSTEC has gained importance as SAARC remains inactive due to Pakistan’s obstruction of regional integration.
• To be adopted at 6^th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand:
  • Bangkok Vision 2030: The first vision document outlining regional development goals.
  • Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement: To strengthen regional trade, connectivity & maritime security while countering China’s influence.

Importance of BIMSTEC for India

• Security Concerns: Increased maritime presence to counterbalance China’s expanding naval activity in the Indian Ocean.
• Trade Expansion: India’s growing economy is a driving force for BIMSTEC’s economic integration.
• Northeast Connectivity: India has developed the Sittwe Port in Myanmar and is working on port connectivity programs across the Bay of Bengal
  • India, as BIMSTEC’s largest economy, can use the bloc to advance its ‘Act East’ policy and strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations.
  • Actively involved in BIMSTEC-led initiatives like the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement and India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to reduce dependency on the Siliguri Corridor.
• Energy Security: Facilitates regional power trade and renewable energy projects.
• Geopolitical Influence: Strengthens India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Geopolitical Challenges in the Region

• Political Instability: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand face domestic political crises, impacting regional cooperation.
• Bangladesh’s Outreach to China & Pakistan: The new administration is moving closer to China and Pakistan, complicating India-Bangladesh ties.
• Myanmar’s Civil War: Hampers regional infrastructure projects, delaying connectivity goals.

Challenges Facing BIMSTEC

• Slow Progress on Agreements: The FTA and key connectivity projects have seen delays.
• Institutional Weaknesses: BIMSTEC lacks a permanent secretariat with sufficient funding and staffing.
• Unequal Member Commitments: Some member nations prioritise ASEAN or SAARC over BIMSTEC.

{GS2 – MoEF&CC – Schemes} Green Credit Program *

• Context (IE): Green Credit Programme to incentivise voluntary environmental initiatives in exchange for tradable credits was flagged over the legality of the business model built into it.

About Green Credit Program (GCP)

• Launched in 2023 at the UN Climate Conference in Dubai as a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC); Notified under Green Credit Rules.
• Objective: Incentivise “pro-planet” actions aligned with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
• Voluntary Participation: Open to individuals, companies, industries, and entities.
• Environmental Activities Covered: Tree plantation, waste management, water conservation, soil moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, and eco-restoration.
• Nodal Administrator: Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, an autonomous body under MoEFCC.

Implementation of the GCP

• Application Process: Individuals and companies can apply to ICFRE to pay for forest restoration.
• Identification: Forest departments of states and UTs identify land parcels like degraded land, open forests, scrublands, wastelands, and catchment areas (minimum 5 hectares).
• Density Criteria: Minimum density of 1,100 trees per hectare, with one grown tree equating to one green credit.
• Green Credit Allocation: 2 years after plantation, following evaluation by ICFRE, each planted tree will be worth one ‘green credit.’
• Green Credits: Tradable units that can be used for compliance or sustainability reporting.
  • Exchange Mechanism: Credits can be traded on a domestic market platform.
  • Compensatory Afforestation: Credits can be used for legal obligations like compensatory afforestation under the Forest Conservation Act.
  • Corporate Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Compliance: Listed companies can use credits under SEBI’s Business Responsibility & Sustainability framework or to fulfill CSR requirements.
• Execution: Afforestation will be carried out by State Forest Departments.

Criticism and Concerns

• Legal Concerns: The Ministry of Law and Justice flagged concerns over the business model before rollout.
• Forest Diversion Incentive: Critics argue that tradable credits could encourage industries to clear forests by meeting compensatory afforestation obligations through credits instead of acquiring new land.
• Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 2023: Mandates compensatory afforestation on non-forest land; GCP’s approach replaces lost forests with plantations on degraded forest land instead.
• Ecological Impact: Concerns over tree plantations on degraded lands, scrublands, and open forests, which provide unique ecological services.
• Legal Challenge: SC acknowledged a plea questioning plantation survival rates.
• Public Opposition: Arguing that tree plantations cannot compensate for old-growth forests.

{GS3 – Agri – Tech} Farm Mechanization

• Context (IE): Recently, Farm Mechanization was in the news.

What is Farm Mechanization?

• Definition: It refers to the development and use of machines that can replace human and animal power in agricultural processes.
• It includes the application of tools, equipment, and automation in processes like plowing, sowing, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.

Present Status of Farm Mechanization in India

• About 47% of agricultural operations in India are mechanised, which is lower compared to developing counterparts like China (60%) and Brazil (75%).
  • In 2023, it was predicted that achieving 75–80% mechanisation in the country would take approximately 25 years.
• State-wise Variation: Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP have high mechanisation due to large farm sizes. States like Bihar, Odisha, and Northeast India have lower mechanisation.

Importance of Farm Mechanization

• Increased Productivity & Efficiency: Mechanized tools like tractors, seed drills, and harvesters enhance efficiency by reducing the time required for various farming operations.
• Increasing Farmers’ Income: Farm mechanisation can play a pivotal role in making agriculture a remunerative activity by contributing to productivity enhancement and overall cost reduction.
• Value Addition: Enables value addition and establishment of agro-processing enterprises for additional income and employment generation from farm produce.
• Better Resource Utilization: Enables efficient water management through systems like drip irrigation and sprinklers and minimises excessive fertiliser and pesticide use via precision farming technologies such as drones and sensor-based applications.
• Climate Resilience: For example, Happy Seeders helps in stubble management and reduces environmental issues like air pollution from crop burning.

Initiatives Undertaken

• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization: launched in 2014-15 to increase the reach of farm mechanisation to small & marginal farmers and areas where farm power availability is low.
• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): AIF mobilises medium to long-term debt finances for viable post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Promotes climate-resilient technologies, including efficient irrigation systems.
• Drone Promotion for Agriculture (2022): Provides subsidies on drone technology for pesticide spraying and crop monitoring.
• State-Specific Schemes: Punjab and Haryana promote Happy Seeders to reduce stubble burning and improve soil health.

Challenges in Farm Mechanization

• Small Size of Landholdings: Small and marginal holdings, constituting less than 2 hectares, cover approximately 86% of the total operational holdings.
• Lower Budget Allocation: Allocations for the Research and Development (R&D) to Farm Mechanization Scheme have seen a steady decline over the past 4 years, with a significant decrease of approximately 30% from 2019–20 to 2022–23.
• High Equipment Costs: Advanced machinery such as tractors and harvesters remain financially out of reach for many small farmers.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Poor rural roads, inadequate electricity supply, and insufficient storage facilities limit the effectiveness of mechanisation.
• Lack of Awareness and Training: Lack of awareness about the benefits of mechanisation & modern machinery. Insufficient training on the operation, maintenance, and repair hinders adoption.

Way Forward

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Encourage private investment in rural mechanisation infrastructure and services.
• Expansion of Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs): Strengthen CHCs and farm machinery banks to allow small farmers to rent equipment instead of purchasing.
  • CHCs are basically a unit comprising a set of farm machinery, implements and equipment meant for custom hiring by farmers.
• Flexible Credit & Low-Interest Loans: Provide easy financing options through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) for machinery purchases.
• Promotion of Indigenous Manufacturing: Encourage the domestic production of cost-effective and small-farm-friendly equipment suited for Indian conditions.
• Increased R&D Investment: Boost funding for the development of affordable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient farm machinery.
• Eco-Friendly Technologies: Promote the use of Happy Seeders, zero-till farming, and precision irrigation to reduce environmental damage.

{GS3 – Infra – Railways} Pamban Bridge *

• Context (IE): The new Pamban Bridge will be inaugurated by PM on Ram Navami.

Key Features

• The New Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge that will connect the town of Mandapam in mainland India with Rameswaram on Pamban Island.
  • Pamban Island (Rameswaram Island) is an island located between peninsular India and Sri Lanka.
• It will replace the century-old original Pamban Bridge. It is considered an engineering marvel with the tag of becoming India’s First Vertical Lift Railway Sea Bridge.
• The new 2.08-kilometre-long structure stands three meters higher than the old Pamban Bridge.
• Its expected lifespan is up to 58 years.

Credit: Swarajya

Old Pamban Bridge

• The old Pamban Bridge, which opened to traffic in 1914, was India’s first sea bridge, built for trade.
• In December 1964, the old Pamban bridge withstood the Tsunami. However, it was severely damaged.
• The restoration of the Pamban Bridge was one of the earliest major works of E. Sreedharan, also known as the Metro Man of India.
• Due to corrosion, high maintenance and operational challenges, the decision to construct a new Pamban bridge was taken.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Jupiter’s Great Red Spot *

• Context (Earth): James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) revealed unusual wave patterns, unexpected dark arcs and bright points above Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, challenging prior assumptions of a uniform upper atmosphere.

  

  Source: The Atlantic

Great Red Spot

• It is a massive anticyclone storm in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere, marked by high pressure and persistent swirling winds. It is nearly twice the size of Earth and one-sixth of Jupiter’s diameter.
• Longevity: Active for over 150+ years due to Jupiter’s gaseous nature and lack of a solid surface.
• Winds: Internal winds reach up to 270 mph. Its shape, size and color vary periodically.
• Surface Visibility: Extends above Jupiter’s main cloud layers and is visibly red, though the source of the coloration remains unknown.
• The Red Spot is the largest known storm in the Solar System.

Role of Gravitational Waves

• Structures are shaped by gravity waves rising from Jupiter’s turbulent lower atmosphere, especially the Great Red Spot. These waves travel upward, disturbing the structure & emissions of upper atmosphere.
• Similar processes occur on Earth but with significantly weaker effects due to Earth’s smaller scale and weaker magnetic field.

Other Missions to Study Jupiter

ESA’s Juice Mission

• Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) was launched in 2023 to study Jupiter and its moons (Ganymede, Callisto and Europa) to examine their habitability & analyse Jupiter’s magnetosphere and atmosphere.
• NASA is partnering with ESA for the JUICE mission to provide instruments and components.
• JWST observations guide Juice’s instrument calibration and help refine its atmospheric study approach.

NASA’s Europa Clipper

• To assess Europa’s habitability with a detailed reconnaissance of the moon’s ice shell & subsurface ocean.