Current Affairs – October 26, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Sites} Silk Road

• context (IE): Archaeologists unearthed two medieval cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, in Uzbekistan, challenging the traditional understanding of the Silk Road.

Silk Road (Silk route)

• It was an ancient web of trade routes stretching from China (East) to the Mediterranean Sea (West).
• Zhang Qian is credited as the “Father of the Silk Road” for his pioneering expedition.
• It facilitated trade in goods, including silk, spices, gold and gemstones, across various civilisations.

Trade Routes of the Silk Road

Source: The Writing Catalogue

• Northern Route: Popularised under Emperor Wu of Han (141–87 BC), this route benefited from imperial protection against nomadic threats, facilitating safe passage for merchants across Central Asia.
• Southern Route (Karakoram route): Passed through the Karakoram mountains. Stretched into Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, India, and China.
• Southwestern Route: Traversed the Ganges Delta between China and India. Served as various global items, including Roman beads and gemstones from Thailand and Java.

Decline of Original Silk Road

• Rise of Sea Trade: European powers’ development of faster maritime routes during the Age of Exploration reduced the need for long, hazardous overland journeys.
• Political Instability: The collapse of the Mongol Empire, which had secured and maintained many sections of the Silk Road, led to increased danger and instability, discouraging trade.
• Spread of Diseases: The Black Death (plague) and other epidemics travelled along the Silk Road, decreasing trade and movement across borders.

Silk Road and India

Source: Into Far Lands

• The four corridors link India to the Ancient Silk Roads:
  • Tibetan Plateau to Sravasti (Uttar Pradesh)
  • Western Nepal to Ganges Valley (Northern India)
  • Karakoram Route through Western Himalayas
  • Ganges Route from Delhi to Chandraketugarh (West Bengal)

Silk Road Sites in India

• There are 12 such places in India. These are spread across seven states in India: Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
• These sites are on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

{GS3 – Agri – MSP} Punjab’s Paddy Procurement Faces Delays

• Context (IE): The paddy procurement process in Punjab has been experiencing major delays and disruptions due to a surplus crop, logistical issues, and resistance from private millers.

How Paddy Procurement Works in India?

• Every year, the Centre, in consultation with state governments and the Food Corporation of India (FCI), finalises estimates for paddy procurement before the kharif marketing season (October to September).
• State and the FCI purchase paddy from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the central pool.
• The procured paddy is milled, and the FCI transports the resulting rice to government storage facilities for maintaining buffer stocks or distribution under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and schemes.

Factors Contributing to the Crisis

• Lack of Storage Space: Private rice millers hesitate to take in government paddy due to a space crunch in government godowns. Millers are concerned about storing paddy for an entire year.
• Controversy Around Hybrids: Privately developed hybrid varieties have inundated the market, resulting in a lower milling out-turn ratio (OTR) than FCI standards require.
• Labour and Arhtiyas’ Issues: Arhtiyas (commission agents) demand higher compensation, while mandi labourers seek higher wages. Protests by these groups have further stalled the procurement process.

Impact of Delayed Paddy Procurement

• Slower Harvesting: Only 22% of the paddy crop has been harvested, approximately 20% less than last year, as farmers delay harvesting due to lack of storage.
• Economic Distress: The longer paddy remains in the field, the higher the risk of quality deterioration and weight loss, which can lead to reduced prices and economic distress for farmers.
• Agricultural Cycle Disruption: Delays in paddy harvesting can disrupt the sowing schedule of winter wheat, potentially affecting the state’s agricultural cycle.
• Increased Stubble Burning: A shorter window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing may lead to more stubble fires, exacerbating air pollution across North India.
• Potential Farmer Unrest: A prolonged crisis could trigger unrest, becoming a law and order issue that hampers the state’s capacity to manage the situation.

Strategies for Managing the Procurement Crisis

• Temporary Storage Solutions: Punjab’s 5,000+ rice mills can be utilised for temporary storage, and the government is addressing millers’ concerns regarding the OTR of hybrid varieties.
• Coordination and Payment: Enhance coordination among procurement agencies, transportation networks, and storage facilities while ensuring timely payments to arhtiyas and addressing labour demands.
• Long-term Diversification: Punjab should diversify its crop base to avoid future surpluses, reduce over-reliance on paddy, and promote more sustainable crop rotations.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Lahore: The World’s Most Polluted City

• Context (IE): Lahore was named the world’s most polluted city by IQAir, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394. It exceeds 55.6 times the WHO air quality guideline.

Broader Causes of Pollution in Lahore

• Vehicular Emissions: A major contributor to smog in Lahore, vehicles using low-quality fuel release harmful particulate matter.
• Industrial Activities: Factories, especially brick kilns and coal-fired power plants, such as the 1320MW Sahiwal power plant, are significant sources of pollution.
• Urban Development: Over the past two decades, rapid development has led to deforestation and loss of green spaces, preventing pollutants from dissipating effectively.
• Climate and Geography: Lahore experiences temperature inversions during winter, trapping atmospheric pollutants. Its low-lying geography, surrounded by hills, worsens the smog situation.
• Stubble Burning: Indian and Pakistani farmers burn agricultural residue, contributing to smog. This practice is particularly significant during the winter months.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Emissions Gap Report, 2024

• Context (IE): The Emissions Gap Report, published annually by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), warns that the Paris Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius will be unattainable in a few years.

• The report aims to analyse the “emissions gap” between current policies and the levels necessary to meet the Paris Agreement targets.

Key Findings of the Report

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• In 2023, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reached a new peak of 57 gigatons (Gt) of CO2 equivalent, marking a 1.3% increase from 2022.
• India ranks third in total GHG emissions, following China (1^st) and the US (2^nd).

Disparities in Emissions

• The six largest GHG emitters account for 63% of global emissions, whereas least developed countries contribute only 3%.
• Historically, India’s CO2 emissions (1850-2022) are much lower (at 83 GtCO2) compared to China (300 GtCO2) and the US (527 GtCO2).

Recommendations by report

• In their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), nations must collectively commit to reducing annual GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035.
• Increasing deployment of solar photovoltaic technologies and wind energy could deliver 38% of the total emission reduction potential by 2035.
• NDCs must include all gases listed in the Kyoto Protocol, cover all sectors, and set specific targets.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024

• Context (DTE): India ranked 176^th in the Global Nature Conservation Index, 2024. Developed by Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and BioDB.com, a non-profit website dedicated to biodiversity data.

• It evaluates conservation efforts using four markers — land management, threats to biodiversity, capacity and governance, and future trends, supported by 25 performance indicators.

India specific findings

• Threats to Indian biodiversity by habitat loss and fragmentation caused by agriculture, urbanisation and infrastructural development, and climate change.
• 67.5% of marine species and 46.9% of terrestrial species continue to experience population decline.

{GS3 – IE – Inflation} Reduced Spending by Middle-Income Households in India

• Context (IE | ET): FMCG leaders raised concern about declining consumer demand among urban middle-income households.

Reasons for Reduced Spending by Middle-Income Households in India

• High food inflation and increased costs of essential services, such as healthcare and education, erode the purchasing power of middle-income households, leading to less discretionary spending.
• Muted Growth in Real Incomes: The Economic Advisory Council has observed that while India’s economy has expanded, wage gains have not been equitable, particularly in urban areas.
• Shifting towards premium products, raising per-unit expenses while overall purchase volumes decline. E.g. Tata Consumer Products reports slowing demand in core segments due to this trend.
• Macroeconomic Uncertainty, such as economic stability, job security, and global economic conditions, leads households to prioritise savings over spending.
• Government schemes like the National Food Security Act and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana have reduced essential costs for low-income households, allowing them to spend on other needs.

Implications of Reduced Spending in the Economy

• Impact on the FMCG Sector: Companies like Hindustan Unilever reported stagnant or declining sales.
• Employment Strain: A slowdown in consumer spending may result in fewer job opportunities and layoffs in retail and service industries. E.g. Reliance Retail reported a 3.5% decline in revenues.
• Government Revenue Decline: Reduced consumer expenditure can lead to lower GST collections, straining government finances and welfare schemes.
• ​Pressure on Monetary Policy: The Reserve Bank of India must balance inflation control with the need to stimulate economic growth by adjusting interest rates.
• Long-Term Consumer Behaviour Changes: Persistent spending reductions may lead to more conservative financial planning, potentially leading to economic stagnation.

Way Forward

• Stimulating Consumer Demand: Implement targeted fiscal measures like tax rebates or cash transfers to increase disposable income. E.g. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
• Enhancing Financial Literacy programs can significantly improve household management, potentially increasing savings, as the World Bank Financial Literacy Report shows.
• Monetary Policy Adjustments: The Reserve Bank of India should consider reducing interest rates. A rate cut could increase consumer loans, which would promote economic expenditure.​
• Supporting Job Creation: Focus on creating jobs in growth sectors like renewable energy, which is projected to generate 1.2 million jobs by 2030​.
• Strengthening Social Safety Nets: Expand unemployment benefits and healthcare support. Initiatives like MGNREGA provide crucial income support​.

Read more > Inflation, Inflation Targeting Framework.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Asiatic Golden Cat (Catopuma temminckii)

• Context (TOI): Asiatic golden cat has returned to Assam’s Manas National Park.

• Known as “rock cat” or “yellow leopard“ in China, it is a medium-sized wild cat native to Asia.
• Distribution: Southern China, Southeast Asia, and Northeast India.

Credits: IUCN

• Habitat: Deciduous, tropical, and subtropical evergreen rainforests interspersed with rocky areas
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Near Threatened | CITES: Appendix I

{Prelims – In News} Dinosaur Fossils on Port Island

• Context (IE): Hong Kong discovers dinosaur fossils (from the Cretaceous period) for the first time.

• It was found in a sedimentary rock containing substances suspected to be vertebrate fossils. The rock was found on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

Port Island

• It is a small island on the middle-to-western side of Mirs Bay (Tai Pang Wan), lying on the eastern approach of Tolo Channel.  The closest island is Grass Island in its south.
• Its Chinese name, Chek Chau, means Red Island, after the mainly reddish-hued rocks.
• It is one of the few sites in Hong Kong with rocks formed after Hong Kong’s volcanoes became extinct.

{Prelims – In News} The Global Ecosystem Atlas

• Context (DTE): The Global Ecosystem Atlas initiative was launched in Colombia at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP-16).

• This open-source repository, developed by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), aims to provide a comprehensive and harmonised resource for mapping and monitoring the world’s ecosystems.

{Prelims – PIN World – NA} Lake Erie

• Context (IE): Water infected with Microcystin in Lake Erie can be harmful.

About Lake Erie

• Location: One of North America’s Great Lakes, situated on the border between the U.S. and Canada.
• Size: It is the fourth-largest among the five Great Lakes.
• Major Tributaries: The main contributing rivers include the Detroit, Huron, and Raisin rivers.
• Outflow: Niagara River serves as its eastern discharge point.
• Shallow Depth: Warms and cools more rapidly than other Great Lakes.
• Economic Role: Commercial fishing, tourism, and shipping; Major ports include Cleveland and Toledo.
• Ecological Threats: Faces pollution, invasive species, and algal blooms, posing risks to water quality.

What is Microcystin?

• It is a toxin produced by certain freshwater cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae. These toxins can pose significant health risks to humans and animals, primarily affecting the liver.
• It is produced in large quantities during algal blooms, contaminating the water. There are over 250 types of microcystins, with microcystin-LR being the most common and toxic variant.

{Prelims – S&T – AI} Sarvam-1

• Context (IE): Indian AI startup Sarvam AI has launched Sarvam-1, the first LLM optimised specifically for Indian languages.

• Sarvam-1 is open-source and supports up to ten Indian languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, in addition to English.
• It falls under the category of small language models (SLMs), which have parameters of less than ten billion, as opposed to large language models (LLMs)
• It offers 4 to 6 times faster inference speeds, making it suitable for deployment in production environments, including edge devices with limited computing resources.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Abhay

• Context (PIB): Launch of ‘Abhay’, the seventh ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water-Craft (ASW SWC) project. It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers for the Indian Navy.

• Arnala class ships will replace the Abhay class ASW Corvettes and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations and Mine Laying Operations.
• ASW SWC ships are approx 77 m long, with a maximum speed of 25 knots & endurance of 1800 NM.
• ASW SWC ships are designed with over 80% indigenous content.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Novel Molecules to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

• Context (PIB): Indian Researchers have designed and synthesised novel molecules through synthetic, computational, and in-vitro studies for treating Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

• Current AD treatments include Memantine, and three anti-cholinesterase drugs have limitations of short-term benefits and serious side effects.
• A new method called a “one-pot, three-component reaction” created new molecules with high success rates. These novel molecules effectively inhibit cholinesterase enzymes to treat AD symptoms.

Read More > Alzheimer’s Disease.