Current Affairs January 29, 2024: Oil Sands, Ladakh’s demand on Gilgit-Baltistan, All India Survey on Higher Education, Alabama Execution, Gallantry Awards, Padma Awards, Black Sea, Red Sea & Panama Canal, Alpine Ibex, Veer Gatha Project 3.0

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} Oil Sands

Context (TH): Total gaseous organic carbon emissions from oil sands operations exceed industry-reported values by 1,900% to over 6,300% across the studied facilities.

Oil sands (also called tar sands) are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen.
The oil is in the form of bitumen, a very heavy liquid or sticky black solid with low melting temperature.
Oil sand is a naturally occurring petrochemical that can be upgraded into crude oil and other petroleum products.
It must be processed before it can be used by refineries to produce fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
The largest deposits of tar sands in the world are found in Alberta (Canada) and Venezuela.
Tar sands are mined in two ways:
1. Open-pit mining: If tar sands are found near the surface, as in Alberta, Canada, they can be mined directly – much like open-pit coal mining – and then transferred to an extraction plant where the bitumen can be separated from the sand, clay, and water.
2. In-situ mining: If tar sands are too deep to dig up, the bitumen can be extracted by injecting hot steam or solvents to loosen up the bitumen and allow it to flow through a well to the surface.

Crude bitumen is a thick, sticky form of crude oil, and is so viscous that it will not flow unless heated or diluted with lighter hydrocarbons such as light crude oil or natural-gas condensate.
At room temperature, it is much like cold molasses.

Harmful impacts of oil sands

Tar sands extraction emits up to three times more global warming pollution than does producing the same quantity of conventional crude.
It depletes and pollutes freshwater resources and creates giant ponds of toxic waste.
Oil sands operations release pollutants into the air, including greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants like NOx and SOx.
Refining the oil sands produces petroleum coke, a hazardous by-product.

{GS2 – IR – India-Pakistan} Ladakh’s demand on Gilgit-Baltistan

Context (TH): Ladakh local parties have presented certain demands to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

These include extending the territorial control of Ladakh up to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Current status of Ladakh

Ladakh was a part of the Kashmir division of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.
It was carved out as one of the Union Territories, the other being Jammu and Kashmir.
However, unlike the UT of J&K, Ladakh does not have a legislature.
There are two elected hill councils, the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) and LAHDC-Leh.
Ladakh: Muslim-majority; Leh district: Buddhists; Kargil: Shia Muslims.
For many decades, Leh supported the demand for UT status.
However, after the events of 2019, Kargil has been insisting on reunification with Kashmir.

Latest demands of the region

Demand of legislature: Campaigns for the restoration of Statehood with a legislature are being run.
Special status: Application of the Sixth Schedule and Article 371 are also on the lines of Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim and other northeastern States.
- People of Ladakh argue that opening the region to outsiders and outside investment will impact “the most ecologically fragile and sensitive areas.
Ladakh also demands exclusive rights over recruitment and the constitution of the Ladakh Public Service Commission.

Extension of territorial control

Prior to 1947, the Ladakh district also comprised the Gilgit-Baltistan area, which is now under Pakistan’s occupation.
The memorandum highlights the fact and seeks an extension of territorial control up to Gilgit-Baltistan with “attempts to include this area into Ladakh”.
It demanded the reservation of seats for Gilgit-Baltistan once a legislature was granted to the region.
Memorandum also demands empowering the locals to foster stability to enhance the foreign policy.

Centre’s stand

To discuss the demands, a committee under the Minister of State was constituted.
Assurance of an appropriate solution to the issues related to language, culture and conservation of land in Ladakh was given.
After the 2023 protests, a new 17-member committee, including the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor and members from the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Leh Apex Body (LAB), was constituted.

Context (PIB | HT | TH | ET): The Ministry of Education released the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-2022.

The Ministry of Education has been conducting AISHE since 2011, covering all higher educational institutions located in India.

Key Findings of the Survey

Enrollments

Particulars	Data of 2021-22	Increase/decrease from 2014-15
Total enrolment in higher education	4.33 crore	Increase of 26.5%
Female enrolment in Higher Education	2.07 crore	Increase of 32%
Total Student Enrolment in North-East States	12.02 lakh	9.36 lakh in 2014-15
ST students’ enrolment	27.1 lakh	Increase of 65.2%
OBC students’ enrolment	1.63 crore	1.13 crore in 2014-15
SC students’ enrolment	66.23 lakh	Increase of 44%
Gender Parity Index (GPI), (ratio of female GER to male GER) GPI has continued to be above 1 since 2017-18, i.e., female GER continues to be more than male GER for the fifth consecutive year.	1.01

Enrollment in Streams

Among Disciplines at the undergraduate level, enrolment is highest in Arts (34.2 per cent), followed by science (14.8), Commerce (13.3) and Engineering and Technology (11.8).
Among streams at postgraduate level, maximum students are enrolled in Social Science (21.1%) followed by Science (14.7).
Government Universities constituting 58.6% of total Universities, contribute 73.7% of total enrolment, and Private Universities account for 26.3% of total enrolment.

Faculty

Total number of faculty/teachers in 2021-22 is 15.98 lakh, of which about 56.6% are male and 43.4% are female.
Female faculty/teachers have increased to 6.94 lakh in 2021-22 from 5.69 lakh in 2014-15 (an increase of 22 per cent since 2014-15).
There is marginal betterment of females per 100 male faculty from 75 in 2020-21 to 77 in 2021-22.

Number of Institutions

The total number of Universities/University level institutions registered is 1,168, Colleges- 45,473, and Standalone Institutions-12,002.
In all, 341 Universities/University level institutions have been established since 2014-15.
17 Universities and 4,470 Colleges are exclusively for women.

{GS3 – Envi – Pollution} Nuclear Waste

Context (TH): Researchers at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai studied 20 years of radiological data (2000-2020) from six nuclear power plants in India.
They discovered that the radioactive releases and their possible impact on the environment have been very low. This information could support India to advancing its nuclear power program.

Nuclear plants in India — Nuclear power plants of India

Nuclear Waste

Radioactive (or nuclear) waste is a byproduct from nuclear reactors, fuel processing plants, hospitals and research facilities.
It is also generated while decommissioning and dismantling nuclear reactors and other nuclear facilities.
Nuclear Wastes: Argon 41, radioiodine, pcobalt-60, strontium-90, tritium and caesium-137.
There are two broad classifications: high-level or low-level waste.

High-Level Waste

It is primarily uranium fuel that has been used in a nuclear power reactor and is “spent,” or no longer efficient in producing electricity.
- The fission creates radioactive isotopes of lighter elements such as cesium-137 and strontium-90. These isotopes, called “fission products,”. It accounts for most of the heat and penetrating radiation in high-level waste.
- Some uranium atoms capture neutrons produced during fission. These atoms form heavier elements such as plutonium. It is known as “transuranic,” elements. They take much longer to decay.

Low-level waste

It includes items that have become contaminated with radioactive material. For example, shoe covers and clothing, wiping rags, filters, etc.
They are commonly disposed of in near-surface facilities rather than in a geologic repository. There is no intent to recover the waste once it has been disposed of.

How high level nuclear waste is managed in India?

India has adopted closed fuel cycle option. It involves reprocessing and recycling of the spent fuel.
During reprocessing, only about two to three percent of the spent fuel becomes waste. This waste, called high level waste (HLW).
It is converted into glass through a process called vitrification (It is the full or partial transformation of a substance into a glass).
The vitrified waste is stored in a Solid Storage Surveillance Facility for 30-40 years prior to its disposal.
The need for a final disposal facility will arise only after three to four decades.

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Death by Nitrogen: Alabama Execution

Context (IE): Alabama carried out the first-ever execution using nitrogen gas in the United States.

The Method

Inmates are forced to inhale the pure nitrogen using an Industrial level air respirator.
This deprives the body of oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions and ultimately causes death.
Normally, we inhale nitrogen as part of atmospheric air (78%) along with Oxygen.
Nitrogen itself is not toxic, but asphyxiation due to the absence of Oxygen leads to death.

Claims of Painless Death

It was claimed to be a humane, momentarily, and painless death.
It was expected to cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes.
Agonal breath (struggle to breathe) is an involuntary reflexive action, as against said painful struggle.

A botched execution in real?

Took 22 minutes against claims of seconds.
No immediate unconsciousness led to violent shaking, deep breaths, eyes rolling back and struggles.
Opposers see it as the “most inhumane” way of death.
Little research and the “guinea pig” treatment of the convict raised severe ethical and legal questions.

Death penalty in the US

Supporters lobby on the argument of retribution, justice for victims and deterrence for heinous crimes.
Opponents prefer reformation, arguing the absence of data regarding deterrence.

Death Penalty: International Opinions

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) allows the death penalty but suggests abolition in its Second Optional Protocol to ICCPR (1989).
UN Economic and Social Council-Safeguarding Rights (1984): It safeguards the rights of convicts facing the death penalty.
Progressive Restriction (2007-2018) by UN General Assembly Resolutions: It requests members to limit the offences eligible for the death penalty and abide by international standards.

Nitrogen

Colourless, odourless, tasteless
Usage: Ammonia manufacturing, Fertilizer industry, Refrigeration, cryo-preservation (Liquid Nitrogen), Nitric acid for explosives.
Nitrogen constitutes 78 per cent of Earth’s atmosphere and is a constituent of all living tissues, as well as DNA.
Nitrogen emission: Industrial processes, agriculture affluents.
Nitrogen Oxide, a poisonous, reactive Nitrogen compound, is emitted by automobiles. It is also an indirect greenhouse gas, promoting photochemical reactions.

Nitrogen cycle

{Prelims – Awards} Gallantry Awards for Military Personnel

Context (TH): The President has sanctioned gallantry awards for 80 military personnel, including 12 posthumous honours, on the eve of India’s 75^th Republic Day.

Gallantry Awards

The Gallantry Awards are a series of honours established by the GoI to acknowledge acts of bravery and sacrifice by the Armed Forces, other officially recognized forces, and civilians.
These awards are announced biannually on the occasions of Republic Day and Independence Day.
The first set of awards, including the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra, were instituted on January 26, 1950, but were retroactively effective from August 15, 1947.
On January 4, 1952, additional gallantry awards, initially named Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II, and Ashoka Chakra Class-III, were introduced, also effective from August 15, 1947.
These awards were later renamed in January 1967 to Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively.

Tatrakshak Medal (Coast Guard Medal)

It is an Indian military decoration awarded for conspicuous devotion to duty or courage in the Indian Coast Guard.
It is conferred annually by the President of India on Independence Day and Republic Day.
Instituted in 1989 by the President of India, the first Tatrakshak Medal was awarded on January 26, 1990.
All ranks of the Coast Guard are eligible for the award.
The medal can be awarded posthumously and includes both meritorious service and gallantry.

{Prelims – Awards} Padma Awards

Context (PIB | IE): Padma Awards for 2024 were announced. The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards.

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India.
Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, is announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.

History

The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954.
The latter had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg.
These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955.

Eligibility

All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

Selection

All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
Recommendations of the committee are submitted to the PM and President for approval.
The awards are presented by the President usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Alpine Ibex

Context (HT): Warmer temperatures caused by climate change are changing the lifestyles of mountain goats in the European Alps.

The Alpine ibex, also known as the steinbock, is a species of goat that lives in the Alps of Europe.
They are astonishing rock climbers.

Physical Characteristics

The Alpine ibex has big horns, curved backward.
The horns of females are a little shorter, subtler, and more curved, serving as a means of self-defense against predators.
The coat of these animals is short and smooth, having different colors, depending on the season: in winter they are covered with a reddish-brown coat while in summer their coats become brownish-grey.

Diet

Alpine ibex are herbivores (graminivores, folivores). They feed mainly on grasses, flowers, bushes, springs, and other plants.

Distribution

Restricted once to the Gran Paradiso national park in northern Italy, in recent years it has recolonised most of the European Alps, and is found in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, & Slovenia.

Conservation Status

IUCN Status: Least Concern

{Prelims – In News} Ima Keithel | Lotus Silk

Context : Manipur Tableau featured a women-run market, ‘Ima Keithel‘ and ‘Thambalgi Langla ‘(Lotus Threads), a lotus silk-making process.

Manipur’s Tableau highlighted women’s role in socio-economic development.
Some of Manipur’s globally acclaimed woven cloth made by women, including the Leirum Phi, Moirang Phi, and Mayek-Naibi, were also showcased. Two of them have GI tags.

Ima Keithel

Manipur, the ‘Jewel of India’, is home to a one-of-a-kind 500-year-old market called ‘Ima Keithel’, which is located in Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal.
It is solely run and managed by women and is reportedly the world’s largest all-women market.
‘Ima Keithel’ literally means ‘Mother’s Market’.
It stands as the world’s only market entirely managed by female traders, symbolising the strength of ‘nari shakti’ or women’s power.
Around 5000-6000 women vendors operate here, offering diverse products.
Male traders face penalties if found operating in the market.
In February 2023, delegates of B20 from the G20 forum visited the Ima Market.

History

The market was established in the 16^th century following the imposition of the labour system, lallup-kaba in 1533 CE.
The lallup-kaba was a forced labour system in the Manipur Kingdom that required male members of the Meitei ethnicity to work in distant lands or to serve in the army.
As a consequence, women had to support their households by cultivating their fields or weaving textiles and then selling the products on improvised markets.

‘Thambalgi Langla ‘(Lotus Threads)

Bijiyashanti Tongbram from Thanga village, located in the heart of Loktak Lake, recently became India’s first lotus silk producer.
Her achievements earned her the prestigious ‘Changemaker of the Northeast 2020’ award.
Lotus silk is considered a highly exclusive fibre.
Lotus silk is counted as one of the finest fabrics produced in the country. This has established India as the world’s fourth-largest exporter of lotus silk.
- The top three countries are Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
The lotus thread is similar to that of muga silk, and the only difference lies in the strength. Muga silk is stronger than lotus.
The finished products are as good as silk.
As the lotus thread is delicate, traditional handlooms are used instead of machines.

Loktak lake

It’s located about 40 kilometres south of Imphal.
It’s the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
It is Known for its floating circular swamps, which are called phumdis in the local tongue,
These swamps look almost like islands and are a mass of soil, organic matter, and vegetation.
The lake houses the only floating national park in the world, the Keibul Lamjao National Park.
- This National Park is the last refuge of the endangered brow-antlered deer or sangai, Manipur’s state animal.
 In addition, the lake shelters about 230 species of aquatic plants, 100 types of birds, and 400 species of fauna like barking deer, sambar, and Indian python.
Loktak Lake was initially designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990.
Later, it was also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993.

{Prelims – In News} PM Young Achievers’ Scholarship Award Scheme for a Vibrant India

Context (PIB): PM YASASVI is a scholarship program for students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Nomadic Tribes (DNT).

The program offers Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships and facilitates top-class school and college education.
It aims to facilitate high-quality education and address the financial challenges that often hinder educational progress for students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities.
Applications for the Top Class School Education and Top Class College Education schemes can be made through the National Scholarship Portal until January 31, 2024.

{Prelims – In News} Veer Gatha Project 3.0

Context (PIB): Defence Minister felicitated ‘Super-100’ winners of Project Veer Gatha 3.0.

The Veer Gatha Project is a collaborative effort of the Ministries of Defence and Education.
The project aims to raise awareness among children about the bravery of Indian soldiers.
Students are encouraged to engage in various activities such as writing poems and essays, creating paintings, and making multimedia presentations about medal-winning heroes.
Each winner receives Rs 10,000, a medal, and a certificate.

{Prelims – PIN} Black Sea, Red Sea & Panama Canal

Context (DTE): The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) expressed concern over increasing disruptions in global trade caused by the impact of climate change and war on shipping in three key sea lanes: The Black Sea, the Red Sea and the Panama Canal.

Black Sea

Countries surrounding Black Sea: Ukraine to the north, Russia to the northeast, Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, Bulgaria to the southwest, and Romania to the west.
Issue: The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted the trade stability in the region.

Red Sea

Surrounding Countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.
Mediterranean Sea -> Sinai Peninsula, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Suez -> Suez Canal -> Red Sea -> Bab el Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden -> Indian Ocean
Issue: Houthi attacks

Panama Canal

Atlantic oceans -> Isthmus of Panama -> Pacific oceans
It lies within Panama.
Issue: Drought

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Western Equine Encephalitis Virus

Context (TH): Recently, Argentina informed the WHO about a person who contracted the Western Equine Encephalitis Virus (WEEV).

Western Equine Encephalitis Virus

It is a rare mosquito-borne infection.
Transmission is through the bites of infected mosquitoes, which act as vectors.
It belongs to the genus Alphavirus of the Togaviridae family.
The main reservoir hosts the viruses is passerine birds.
In humans, the WEE virus can cause diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis.
The virus can spread to other areas through infected birds or even through the movement of people.