Current Affairs – July 27, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} Lithium Resources

• Context (PIB): The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research has discovered lithium resources in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka.

• Earlier, reserves were identified in the Salal-Haimna areas of the Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir and in the Koderma and Giridih regions of Jharkhand.

Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research It is a unit of India’s Department of Atomic Energy that surveys and explores mineral deposits for nuclear power. While it mainly seeks uranium, it has also established large thorium resources and recovers rare metals and rare earth elements.

{GS1 – IS – Issues} Exploring the Financing Gap in Addressing Global Hunger and Malnutrition

• Context (DTE): A UN report reveals that 63% of low and middle-income countries lack adequate financing for food security and calls for a standardized approach to tracking food security funding.

Statistics 74% of middle-income countries are impacted by major factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. 23.1% prevalence of undernourishment in countries with limited access to financing. Annual official development assistance of $76 billion for food security and nutrition between 2017 and 2021.

Causes of Financing and Food Security Gaps in Middle Income Countries

• Inadequate Public Spending: On food security and nutrition programs. For example, In Brazil, despite substantial economic growth, public spending on agriculture and food security remains relatively low.
• Misallocation of Resources: Towards high-value export crops rather than staple foods. For example, In Thailand, significant investments in export-oriented crops (rubber and palm oil) have led to reduced production of essential foods (rice), impacting local food security.
• Inefficient Use of Aid: Often failing to address the root causes of food insecurity. For example, In Kenya, despite receiving international aid, inefficiencies in distribution and management have led to limited impact on rural food security.
• Economic Inequality: Reducing the ability of low-income populations to access resources. In South Africa, high levels of economic inequality result in limited access to food and nutrition, despite overall economic growth.
• Weak Institutional Frameworks: Hinders the implementation of food security policies and programs. For example, In Venezuela, political instability and corruption have undermined food distribution systems.
• High Dependency on Imports: Makes countries vulnerable to global market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. For example, in Egypt, heavy reliance on imported wheat has led to food security concerns when global prices rise or supply chains are disrupted.
• Climate Change Impacts: Affects agricultural productivity, increasing food insecurity risks. For example, In Indonesia, frequent flooding and droughts linked to climate change have disrupted agricultural production, impacting food security.
• High Levels of Debt: Constrains the government’s ability to invest in food security and nutrition. For example, In Sri Lanka, high levels of debt have limited government spending on essential services, including food security programs.

Challenges

• Competing Priorities: Resource scarcity leads to the prioritization of infrastructure, education, and healthcare over agriculture. For example, large-scale infrastructure projects often divert funds from rural development and agricultural support in Brazil.
• Debt Burden: High debt limits fiscal capacity for food security investments. For example, In South Africa, debt constraints hinder the expansion of social safety nets and agricultural support.
• Governance and Corruption: Inefficiency and corruption can misallocate funds intended for food security. For example, misuse of agricultural development funds due to corrupt practices in many African countries.
• Urbanization and Dietary Shifts: Reduces agricultural labor and shifts dietary preferences to processed foods, increasing import reliance. For example, In Mexico, a decline in agricultural labor and a rise in processed food consumption disrupt traditional food systems.
• Climate Change Impacts: Extreme weather events damage agriculture, causing food shortages and price increases. For example, In the Philippines, frequent droughts and floods disrupt agricultural production.
• Global Economic Shocks: Exposure to global market fluctuations affects food imports and security. Economic volatility impacts investment in food security programs in Argentina.

Way Forward

• Increased Public and Private Investment: Prioritize agriculture in budgets and foster private sector investment. For example, Successful public-private partnerships in agriculture in Brazil.
• Improved Governance and Institutional Strengthening: Strengthen governance, reduce corruption, and enhance agency coordination. For example, streamlined agricultural policies and dedicated ministries in India.
• Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience: Invest in sustainable practices and climate-smart agriculture.For example, Support for smallholder farmers and conservation agriculture in Kenya.
• Social Safety Nets and Nutrition Interventions: Implement robust safety nets and nutrition programs. For example, the Bolsa Familia conditional cash transfer program in Brazil.
• Regional Cooperation and Trade: Enhance regional cooperation to improve market access and reduce volatility. For example, the Integration of agricultural markets East African Community.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Invest in data collection and analysis for informed policymaking. For example, Improved agricultural data systems for better decisions in Mexico.

{GS1 – IS – Issues} Private Investments and their Unintended Consequences on Global Hunger

• Context (DTE): The UN’s SOFI report suggests that private investments, including FDIs, are linked more to rising obesity and non-communicable diseases than to improvements in undernutrition.

The SOFI Report The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report offers a comprehensive annual analysis of global hunger and malnutrition. It is published jointly by five UN agencies: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UN World Food Programme (WFP), and World Health Organization (WHO). The report presents a sobering picture of food insecurity, revealing the number of people affected by hunger and the underlying factors driving this crisis. It examines the progress towards achieving SDG 2 of zero hunger by 2030 and identifies critical challenges that hinder efforts to build resilient food systems.

Read more > Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Impact of Private Investments on Food Security

• The report suggests that the effect of private investment might be positive in the short term but negative in the long term.

Positive Impacts:

• Increased Agricultural Productivity: Private investments in technology, research, and infrastructure can boost agricultural yields and overall food production. For example, investments in irrigation systems, high-yield seeds, and fertilizers can improve crop output.
• Improved Food Processing and Distribution: Private sector involvement can enhance food processing capabilities, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve food distribution networks, ensuring that food reaches consumers more efficiently.
• Job Creation and Economic Growth: Private investments in the food sector can create employment opportunities, both in rural and urban areas, contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction.

Negative Impacts:

• Negative Health Outcomes: In India, foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the fast-food sector have contributed to an increase in obesity rates and non-communicable diseases, rather than improving nutritional standards or addressing undernutrition.
• Undermining Local Agriculture: In Sub-Saharan Africa, large-scale private investments in commercial agriculture have sometimes displaced smallholder farmers, leading to decreased local food production and reduced food security for communities reliant on traditional farming.
• Environmental Degradation: In Brazil, investments in large-scale soy and beef production have led to deforestation in the Amazon, impacting local ecosystems and reducing the availability of land for subsistence farming.
• Exploitation of Resources: In Indonesia, private investments in palm oil plantations have led to land grabbing and environmental destruction, displacing local communities and reducing their access to traditional food sources.
• Market Dominance and Price Volatility: In South Africa, the dominance of multinational agribusinesses has led to market control and price volatility for staple foods, making it difficult for low-income households to afford nutritious food.
• Limited Benefits for Local Communities: In Kenya, while private investments in commercial farming have increased exports, they have not significantly improved local food security or nutrition due to a focus on cash crops rather than food crops for local consumption.
• Dependency on Imported Foods: In the Caribbean, private investments in tourism have led to a reliance on imported food products rather than supporting local agriculture, impacting food sovereignty and increasing vulnerability to global price fluctuations.
• Increased Inequality: Benefits from private investments often favor large corporations and landowners marginalizing small-scale farmers. For example, high-tech agricultural projects create jobs for skilled workers but leave small-scale farmers disadvantaged and without access to resources.

Way Forward

• Land Tenure Security: The Philippines’ Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) redistributed land to small-scale farmers, securing land rights and preventing large-scale acquisitions.
• Environmental Regulations: Brazil’s Forest Code enforces strict regulations on deforestation in the Amazon, protecting ecosystems vital for food production.
• Food Safety and Quality Standards: The European Union’s rigorous food safety standards have improved production and processing practices across Europe.
• Public-Private Partnerships: India’s collaboration with private companies to set up rural food processing units has created jobs and improved market access for farmers.
• Smallholder Inclusion: Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile payment system offers financial services to small-scale farmers, enabling investment in their farms.
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices like Agroecology: Cuba’s agroecological methods have increased food production with minimal environmental impact.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: India’s promotion of drought-resistant crops and water-saving irrigation aids in climate adaptation.
• Support for Displaced Farmers: Providing aid to those affected by land grabbing and disruptions.
• Access to Essential Services: Ensuring rural communities have access to healthcare, education, and basic services. For example, Brazil’s Bolsa Família program supports poor families with conditional cash transfers for education and healthcare.
• Public Disclosure: Promoting transparency in investments. Companies like Unilever publish sustainability reports detailing their practices and impacts.

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} Non-Alignment in the Era of the Global South

• Context (ORF): At the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit themed ‘Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence’, the Kampala Outcome document was adopted.

• Uganda, as NAM Chair from December 2023, aims to strengthen NAM and promote Global South unity.

NAM in a Multi-Polar World

• Evolution: Non-alignment has evolved, with developing countries now opting for issue-based alignments instead of strict non-alignment.
• Flexible Security Arrangements: Countries balance risks (dependency) and rewards (defense support) by seeking security support from great powers while avoiding close. Flexible partnerships typically carry fewer risks.
• Formal Alliances: Characterised by institutionalized defense ties and mutual defense responsibilities (like NATO). These involve formal treaties and legislative assessment.
• Informal Alliances: These are developed based on common ground and collaboration without formal laws (the US-Israel relationship since 1967, the Sino-Vietnamese alliance during the Vietnam War).
• Issue-Based or Multi-Alignment Partnerships: These involve fewer obligations and less binding arrangements (arms sales). These do not guarantee military support in crises (American relations with Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia multi-alignment partnerships).

Evolution and Relevance of NAM in global south

• The commitment to NAM has been inconsistent with many Global South countries maintaining military ties with external powers, like French bases in Francophone countries and Soviet support for Angola and Ethiopia during the Cold War.
• High external debt (particularly from Western sources) acts as a hindrance to non-alignment principles. For example, Africa’s total external debt was US$824bn in 2021.
• During the Cold War, non-aligned nations leveraged the US-USSR rivalry. Today, modern non-alignment is endured. Fro example, Africa’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The Global South is evolving from colonialism and Cold/proxy wars to active diplomacy and multiple alliances.
• Countries adopt strategic autonomy and multi-alignment to protect their interests and avoid conflicts.For example, Ethiopia’s memberships in BRICS and partnerships with the US.
• The popularity of NAM has increased. For example, All African countries except South Sudan are NAM members.
• Alliances are now based on economic or military convenience rather than ideological affinity.
• Dismantling of foreign military sites is a prerequisite for any new non-alignment to work in Global South.

Reforming NAM: Way Ahead

• Permanent Secretariat: Establish a secretariat for greater global impact.
• Self-Sufficiency: Focus on resource control and attract investment from wealthy nations.
• Reframe Non-Alignment: Update the concept, promoting independence and avoiding power blocks.
• Regular Updates: Regularly revisit NAM’s goals to address economic challenges.
• New Threats: Tackle climate change, terrorism, and pandemics.
• Tech Cooperation: Collaborate on AI and emerging tech to bridge the digital divide.
• Global Solidarity: Promote a fair, inclusive global governance system.
• Symbol and Name: Introduce a new symbol and consider renaming it (like ‘Southern Solidarity Organisation’).

Read more > Importance of NAM for India

NAM in Africa NAM became a cornerstone of African foreign policies, with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) charter adopting it. Despite the OAU’s emphasis on self-sufficiency (Lagos Plan of Action), economic integration with Western powers (the Lomé Conventions) and reliance on external aid persisted. The African Union’s ‘Agenda 2063’ aims to end armed conflicts (silencing the gun). Africa’s inclusion in the G20 will enhance its global influence and ability to raise its concerns. Peacekeeping and security missions from various countries operate in Africa, highlighting its security vulnerabilities and the need for a united approach (Pax Africana).

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Status of Women in the Workforce

• Context (IE): The Kerala High Court stayed the release of the Justice Hema Commission report that investigated women’s working conditions in the film industry.

• The interim stay was ordered on the argument that its release would be against the public interest and violate the right to privacy of the individuals.
• The commission highlighted the casting couch in the industry and reported drugs on film sets.

Factors behind low status of women in the workforce

• Deep-rooted patriarchal norms limit women’s access to education and employment opportunities.
• Societal expectations prioritize women’s roles as caregivers and homemakers.
• Women often face wage disparities compared to men for similar work. Men earn 82% and women earn 18% of labor income in India (World Inequality Report 2022).
• Burden of unpaid care and dual responsibility of family and work disproportionately falls on women.
• Social and cultural stigma in some communities to women working outside the home.
• Sexual harassment remains a significant issue in the workplace for many women.
• Many workplaces (manufacturing and construction) are still male-dominated.
• Infrastructure challenges like transport and lack of basic facilities like toilets hinder women’s work.
• There is currently no policy on menstrual leave in India.

Government Initiatives

• The Equal Remuneration Act enforces the principle of “equal pay for equal work” as outlined in Article 39(d).
• Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act and Vishaka Guidelines provide a framework for protecting women at work.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme is launched to ensure the survival, safety, and education of female children, addressing the diminishing sex ratio and raising social awareness.
• National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 prioritizes gender equity, ensuring equitable access to quality education with a focus on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).
• One Stop Centre (OSC) and Universalization of Women Helpline offers 24/7 emergency response and support for women affected by violence.
• Skill India Mission provides vocational training to women through a network of institutes to ensure economic independence and enhance employability.
• The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) ensures that at least one-third of the jobs generated under the scheme are allocated to women.

Read more > Unlocking Rural Women’s Economic Potential

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Strategies to Reduce Air Pollution

• Context (PIB): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) presented the inititives taken to reduce air pollution in Rajy Sabha.
• National Clean Air Programme
• Notification of Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
• Promotion of ethanol blending.
• Launching of National Air Quality Index.
• Introduction of BS VI compliant vehicles across the country since April 2020.
• Notification of Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).
• Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality.
• Introduction of cleaner/alternate fuels like gases fuel (CNG, LPG, etc.).

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Launched by MoEFCC in 2019 to improve air quality in Million Plus Cities and non-attainment cities (unable to meet NAAQS for 5 years). It targets to reduce Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentration by 20-30% by 2024 (baseline is 2017). The target has been revised for PM10 to reduce upto 40%. City Action Plans (CAPs) have been prepared by all 131 cities and implemented by Urban Local Bodies. Performance based financial support is provided by mobilising from various Central schemes Under NCAP, around 20,000 crores has been earmarked to these cities till FY 2025-26.

Read More > Air Pollution and Pollutants I Prevention and Control of Air Pollution

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Illegal Coal Mining

• Context (TH): Repeated accidents in illegal coal mines highlight significant concerns about the state of illegal mining in India.

Recent Incidents

• July 2024: Several workers died of asphyxiation inside an illegal coal mine in Gujarat.
• October, 2023: Fatalities were reported during illegal coal extraction in West Bengal.
• June 2023: Multiple fatalities occurred when an illegal mine collapsed in Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

About Coal Mining

• The nationalisation of coal in India occurred in two phases: coking coal in 1971-72 and non-coking coal in 1973.
• Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 provide for the acquisition and transfer of the right, title and interest of the owners in respect of the coal mines.
• Illegal mining constitutes a law and order issue, which falls under the jurisdiction of state governments.
• It primarily occurs in abandoned mines or shallow coal seams in remote areas (Ministry of Coal).

Drivers of Illegal Mining

• High Coal Demand: India’s coal needs (55% of the country’s energy needs) exceed legal coal supply.
• Poverty and Unemployment: Coal-rich areas with struggling populations turn to illegal mining.
• Weak Regulation: Inadequate monitoring and lack of resources lead to the rise of coal mafias (Activist Marshall Biam accused a “police-backed” coal gang of threatening him in 2018).

Causes of Worker Fatalities

• Unsafe Techniques: Use of rudimentary methods like surface mining and rat-hole mining.
• Lack of Safety Measures: No safety equipment like helmets or masks, leading to increased respiratory risks and exposure to toxic substances (In Gujarat, miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning).
• Hazardous Working Conditions: Lack of structural support causing cave-ins, landslides, and explosions.
• Untrained Workforce: Workers lack training and emergency response knowledge.
• Exploitation and Negligence: Operator negligence and worker exploitation are rampant.

Challenges in Curtailing Illegal Mining

• Blame Shifting: Union government often places responsibility on state authorities.
• Complex Legal Framework: Bureaucratic hurdles and governance inefficiencies allow illegal it to persist.
• Historical Prevalence: Illegal coal mining has existed since before coal nationalisation and continues in coal-rich areas or near abandoned mines.
• Economic Dependency: Local economies rely on mining; illegal mining supports communities after official operations cease.

Way Forward

• Strengthen coordination between centre and state agencies to ensure comprehensive enforcement.
• Implementing strict laws against illegal mining. For example, Brazil’s crackdown on illegal gold mining in the Amazon.
• Establish specialized mining courts to expedite prosecutions, as done in South Africa.
• Integrate informal miners into the legal economy. For example, Peru has done with small-scale mining initiative.
• Develop alternative livelihood programs. For example, Canada’s community-based natural resource management initiatives.
• Utilize advanced monitoring technology. For example, using drones and satellite imagery for surveillance and enforcement, as in Australia.
• Focus on rehabilitating abandoned mines and transforming them into sustainable economic zones, following Germany’s model.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Government Initiatives for Startups

• Context (PIB): Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry presented Government Initiatives for Startups in the Rajya Sabha.

• Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience, and Growth (MAARG) Portal, 2022: A national Mentorship Portal to facilitate accessibility to mentorship for startups.
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), 2022: To extend loans to Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recognized startups.
• Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), 2021: Provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.
• National Startup Advisory Council, 2020: To advise the Government on measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups.
• Startup India Hub, 2017: Online platform for all stakeholders of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to discover, connect and engage with each other.
• Startup India Action Plan, 2016: An action plan spanning across areas such as “Simplification and handholding”, “Funding support and incentives” and “Industry-academia partnership and incubation”.
• Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) Scheme, 2016: With corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore, to meet the funding needs of startups.
• National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), 2016: For nurturing ideas and innovations.
• Income Tax Exemption: The recognized startups which are incorporated on or after 1st April 2016 are exempted from income-tax for a period of 3 consecutive years out of 10 years since incorporation.

{GS3 – IE – Industry} Green Logistics (Sustainable Logistics)

• Context (PIB): Minister of State for Commerce and Industry presented GoI initiatives for Green Logistics in India. It includes any business practice that minimises the environmental impact of the logistics network and delivery.

Advantages

• Reduced environmental impact: Lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced air and noise pollution, and decreased waste generation.
• Risk mitigation: Reduced dependence on fossil fuels and compliance with environmental regulations.
• Long-term profitability: By cutting waste, cost, and carbon emissions.
• Brand reputation: Positive public image and increased customer loyalty.
• Improved employee morale: Fostering a positive work environment and attracting environmentally conscious talent.

Challenges associated

• Initial costs: Higher for vehicle acquisition, infrastructure development and technology integration.
• Limited infrastructure: Lack of charging stations and other infrastructures for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
• Range limitations: EVs may have shorter ranges compared to traditional vehicles.
• Fear of losing Profits: Concerns about potential financial losses by adopting environment friendly practices.

Way Forward

• Collaboration: Between various stake holders to develop sustainable logistics. For example, by collaborating with farmers of Nagaland, NGO Ecostarch produced by bioplastics for packaging.
• Infrastructure Development: Expanding charging stations and other necessary infrastructure.
• Data-driven Approach: Utilizing data analytics to optimize green logistics operations.
• Integrate AI: To technologies like supply chain control towers to integrate carbon footprint analysis into all stages of the business.
• Raise Awareness: Among businesses and consumers.

Government Initiatives

• National Logistics Policy (NLP), 2022: To create a cost-efficient, resilient, and sustainable logistics.
• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP), 2021: Multi-modal connectivity to enhance industrial productivity and achieve green logistics and clean energy goals.
• Boost Indian Railway’s freight share to 45% by 2030 for cleaner freight movement.
• Freight Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Calculator: Calculate and compare cost of transportation and GHG emissions between various modes of transport.
• E-Handbook on Warehousing Standards: Serve as a guide for infrastructure improvement to achieve efficiency by adopting newer technologies and global best practices.

Read More > Logistics Sector in India I Logistics Performance Index

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Ballistic Missile Defence System

• Context (IE): Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested Phase-II of the Ballistic Missile Defence System off the Odisha coast.

Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMD)

• A Ballistic Missile Defence system (BMD) serves as a protective shield against ballistic missile strikes and was initiated in 1999, post-Kargil War, with the primary goal of defending against potential nuclear threats from Pakistan.
• Integral to India’s strategic defence, especially under its ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy.
• India’s BMD is being developed in two phases:

Phase I

• Capable of intercepting ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km.
• Components: Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) – designed for exo-atmospheric interception (high altitudes) and Advanced Area Defence (AAD) Missile – targets endo-atmospheric missiles (lower altitudes).

Phase II

• Enhanced to intercept ballistic missiles with ranges up to 5,000 km.
• Incorporates a network-centric warfare system with long-range sensors, low-latency communication, and a Mission Control Centre.
• Phase-II AAD Missile is an indigenously developed two-stage solid rocket-propelled system, ground-launched, designed for endo-atmospheric interception.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Falcon Sensor and Blue Screen of Death

• Context (IE): A faulty kernel mode update from CrowdStrike, a US cybersecurity firm, for the Falcon sensor caused extensive system downtimes for Windows systems.

• The outage severely affected Microsoft users, ranging from airports and airlines to financial institutions, hospitals, office workers, and casual Internet users.
• Microsoft’s agreement with the EU to grant kernel access to third-party security software caused the outage, while Apple macOS restricts such software to user mode, protecting Mac users from similar problems.

Falcon Sensor

• It is an endpoint detection and response (EDR) software designed to monitor computer activities and continuously scan for potential threats such as malware.
• It has access to in-depth details of a system, such as the communications sent over the internet, the programs being run, and the files being opened.

Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

• It is a serious Windows system error that causes the computer to stop working and display a blue screen with an error code for diagnostic purposes.
• It can be caused by various hardware and software issues.
• Although no data is lost, any unsaved work could be unrecoverable.

{Prelims – In News} Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)

• Context (PIB): India has taken over the Chair of Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) from China for the year 2024-25 in Bangkok, Thailand.

• ADPC is an autonomous International Organization for cooperation in and implementation of disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience
• It operates in Asia and the Pacific region.
• Founding members: India and eight neighbouring countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand).

{Prelims – In News} Charaideo Moidam

• Context (TH): Charaideo Moidams of Assam is included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

• It is a unique 700-year old earthen mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty.
• It is the first from the North East to be recognised as a World Heritage Site in cultural category.
• Other World Heritage Sites in Assam: Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park (in natural category).
• The ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee is hosted by India.

Read More > Moidam

{Prelims – In News} Ketamine Pills

• Context (TH): The extended-release ketamine pill offers hope for treatment-resistant depression.

• Also known as “party drug”, it blocks the receptor for glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter that stimulates neuron activity and message transmission.
• Currently, Ketamine is delivered as an intravenous or intranasal drug, which can have side effects like increased blood pressure, dissociation from reality, headache, nausea, and drowsiness.
• Ketamine, formulated as an extended-release tablet, can improve symptoms of depression with fewer side effects by releasing the medication slowly.

Read More > Mental health in India

{Prelims – PIN World – Middle East} Tell Umm Amer heritage site

• Context (TH): Recently, the Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine was granted UNESCO status and simultaneously added to the World Heritage in Danger list.
• It is situated in the dunes south of the Wadi Ghazzeh, near Al Nusairat refugee camp, south of Gaza City. It is close to the Mediterranean coast and borders the town of Deir al-Balah to the east and southeast.

  

  Source: The National Weekend

• It is a monastery founded by Saint Hilarion, which laid the groundwork for the spread of monastic practices in the Middle East.
• It occupied a strategic position at the crossroads of major trade and communication routes between Asia and Africa.

Read More > Palestine

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Dementia

• Context (TH): A report stated that dementia cases could be reduced by 40% by addressing risk factors, like exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and early treatment.

• It is a general term used for many neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities that affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
• The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, followed by vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, and mixed dementias. Less common causes include normal pressure hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, syphilis, HIV, and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.
• Major symptoms are memory loss, impaired thinking, emotional issues, language difficulties, and reduced motivation.

Alzheimer’s disease It accounts for 60–70% of cases of dementia worldwide It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt communication between neurons and lead to their degeneration. Symptoms: Short-term memory loss, word-finding difficulties, trouble with visuospatial functioning, reasoning, judgment and insight fail.