Daily News Analysis

th
20 March 2024
Topics To be Covered:
✓ State of the Global Climate 2023: World Meteorological
Organization (WMO)
✓ India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
✓ Missing Spring
✓ Plastic Chemicals
✓ Liver Fluke Among Dogs
✓ Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater Geoheritage Sites
✓ Classification System for Metastatic Cancers
✓ Gender Pay Gap
✓ Shipra River
✓ Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)
✓ United States Bans White Asbestos
✓ News in Shorts
 Topics
State of the Global Climate 2023: World Meteorological Organization
(WMO)
Subject: GS: 03: Climate Change and Environment
Context:
Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of the Global Climate Report
2023 (an annual State of the Climate Report).
More on News:
❖ Earlier, the WMO released the
provisional State of the Global
Climate Report, 2023.
❖ Key Indicators: Greenhouse gas
levels (GHGs), surface temperatures,
ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic
sea ice cover, glacier retreat, etc.
Key Findings of the State of the Global
Climate Report 2023:
❖ Hottest Year: The Report found that
2023 was the hottest year. Numerous
records for climate system indicators
were broken.
❖ Witnessed Extreme Events:
Extreme weather events hit many
parts of the world in 2023, affecting
water, food security, and human
welfare. These included significant
floods, extreme heat drought and
associated wildfires.
❖ On Climate Finance: In 2021/2022,
global climate flows reached almost
USD 1.3 trillion, nearly doubling
compared to 2019/2020.
➢ Despite this growing momentum
in climate finance, tracked flows
represent only approximately
1% of global GDP.
➢ A High Financing Gap: Comparing tracked climate finance flows to estimated climate finance needs
exposes a significant financing gap.
✓ In an average scenario for a 1.5°C pathway, annual climate finance investments need to grow more
than six times, reaching almost USD 9 trillion by 2030 and a further USD 10 trillion through 2050.
 ➢ Cost of Inaction: It is even
higher than the financing
gap. Aggregating over the
period 2025-2100, the total
cost of inaction is estimated
at USD 1,266 trillion.
✓ It is likely to be a
dramatic underestimate
of the actual cost, as it
does not capture losses
to nature, biodiversity,
and those induced by
conflict and migration.
❖ On Climate Monitoring and Renewable Energy:
➢ High Increase: In 2023, renewable capacity additions increased by almost 50% from 2022, for 510
gigawatts, the highest rate observed in the past two decades.
➢ Collective Action: At the recent Copenhagen Climate Ministerial, climate leaders and Ministers
worldwide will gather for the first time since COP-28 in Dubai to push for accelerated climate action.
➢ Action Plans: Enhancing countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) ahead of the February
2025 deadline is expected to be high on the agenda, as well as delivering an ambitious agreement on
financing at COP-29 to turn national plans into action.
✓ Challenge: Climate Action is being hampered by a lack of capacity to deliver and use climate
services to inform national mitigation and adaptation plans, especially in developing countries.
About Status & Variation in the Key Indicators:
❖ Greenhouse Gases:
➢ Causing Global Warming:
The unprecedented levels
of GHGs in the
atmosphere are the main
reasons for the planet's
rapid warming.
✓ Gases such as carbon
dioxide, methane
and nitrous oxide
trap the incoming
solar radiation in the
atmosphere and
contribute to global
warming.
➢ Peak Concentration in 2022: The concentration of the aforementioned GHGs reached record-high
observed levels in 2022.
✓ The rate of increase in nitrous oxide and methane was the highest and second highest, respectively.
✓ However, the rate of increase of carbon dioxide was slightly below the 10-year average.
❖ Surface Temperature:
➢ High Rise: The global average
near-surface temperature for
2023 raised to 1.45 degrees
Celsius, the highest ever on
record (above the pre-
industrial levels).
➢ Responsible Factors: Rise in
GHG concentrations in the
atmosphere (primary reason),
the shift from La Nina, and the onset of El Niño last year.
✓ The year 2023 marked the end of the three-year-long run of La Nina and the beginning of El Nino.
❖ El Nino and La Nina: These are the warm and cool phases of a recurring climate pattern across the tropical
Pacific—the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
➢ El Nino refers to an abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
❖ Ocean Heat Content:
➢ Become Warmer: As the oceans have absorbed nearly 90% of the extra heat trapped by GHGs since
1971, they steadily become warmer and their heat content has increased.
➢ Highest Level: In 2023, the ocean heat content (OHC), the total amount of heat stored by the oceans,
reached its highest level in the 65-year observational record.
✓ The global average sea-surface temperatures were also at a record level between late spring in the
Northern Hemisphere and the end of the year.
➢ Non-Uniformity: The rate of warming is not the same everywhere. The strongest warming was
recorded along the Southern, North Atlantic and the South Atlantic Oceans in 2023.
✓ Besides the Pacific Ocean warming, the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean remained unusually
warm.
❖ Ocean Salinity:
➢ Observed Increase: Increase in acidity of the ocean is also increasing. The ocean absorbs around 25%
of the annual anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
➢ Ocean Acidification: The GHGs react with seawater, resulting in decreased acid levels called “ocean
acidification”.
➢ Negative Consequences: For organisms and ecosystem services, including food security, by reducing
biodiversity, degrading habitats and endangering fisheries and aquaculture.
➢ Regional Variations: It is observed in the rate of change in ocean acidification, pattern, and scale. It
called for high-resolution, long-term observation.
❖ Marine Heat Waves:
➢ Average Daily Marine Heatwave (MHWs) Experience: Due to warmer temperatures, the global ocean
experienced an average daily MHWs coverage of 32%.
✓ Towards the end of 2023, over 90% of the ocean had experienced heatwave conditions at some
point during the year.
➢ Occurrence: MHWs occur when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4
degrees Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
❖ Arctic & Antarctic Sea-Ice Extent:
➢ A Record Low: Antarctic sea-ice extent
declined to 1.79 million km2 in February
2023, a new record low since the satellite era
began in 1979.
✓ The extent remained at a record low for
the time of year from June till early
November.
✓ The annual maximum in September
was 16.96 mn km2 (roughly 1.5 mn km2
below the 1991–2020 average) and one
mn km2 below the previous record low
maximum.
➢ The Arctic Sea-Ice Extent: It stayed below normal in 2023, with the annual maximum and annual
minimum extents being the fifth and sixth lowest in the 45-year satellite record, respectively.
❖ Glaciers:
➢ Largest Loss: In the hydrological year 2022-2023, the global set of reference glaciers suffered the largest
ice loss on record.
❖ A New Low in the Annual Mass Balance
(AMB): AMB, the amount of mass gained or
lost by the glacier and expressed in metres of
water equivalent (m w.e.) — of the reference
glaciers dropped to a new low in 2022-2023,
which was –1.2 m w.e.
❖ Particularly Impacted: Glaciers in North
America and Europe.
➢ In Switzerland, glaciers lost around 10%
of their remaining volume in the past two
years.
Impacts of 2023 Weather and Climate Hazards:
❖ Climate Hazards Witnessed by the World:
These included major floods, extreme heat
and drought, and associated wildfires.
➢ Droughts: Over 65% of losses due to droughts occurred in the agriculture sector, including crop and
livestock production losses.
➢ Floods, Storms & Cyclones: Around 20% of losses were traced back to agriculture.
➢ Example: The temperature records that coincide with an ongoing El Nino event was associated with
below-normal monsoon rainfall in India as well as an absence of Western Disturbances in the winter
that contributed to record-breaking heat in southern India during January and February.
❖ Social Crisis: Weather and climate hazards have compounded concerns over food security, population
displacements and impacts on vulnerable populations in 2023.
➢ Example: Libya was already facing a Crisis of Displacement in 2023:
food crisis in July 2023, and was hit by ❖ In Asia: Tropical Cyclone Mocha was one of the most
Storm Daniel in September that intense cyclones ever observed in the Bay of Bengal.
brought heavy rainfall and flooded Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee
nearly 3,000 hectares of cropland, settlement, relocated more than 29,000 people.
particularly in the Almarj and Derna
❖ In Syria: Snowstorms and floods led to displacements
regions — the main cropland areas in
while these people were already affected by the country’s
the eastern part of the country and key
long-running conflict.
sources of livelihoods.
❖ In Somalia: The ongoing drought resulted in some
❖ Inequality Crisis: The climate crisis is
531,000 displacements in 2023 in addition to 653,000
humanity's defining challenge and is closely
displacements primarily caused by conflict and then
intertwined with the inequality crisis — as
subsequent flooding during the rainy season displaced
witnessed by growing food insecurity,
more than a million people.
population displacement and biodiversity
❖ In Pakistan: The 2022 monsoon floods triggered the
loss.
largest disaster displacement event in a decade, which
❖ Challenge Against Sustainable
continued in 2023. In June 2023, some districts
Development Goals (SDGs)
experienced heavy rainfall and resulted in waterborne
Achievement: Migration and displacement
and vector-borne diseases.
due to climate-related shocks and stresses
affect people’s livelihoods which affect various following sustainable development goals (SDG):
 ➢ SDG1: Poverty, SDG2: Hunger, SDG3: Direct threats to their lives and well-being, SDG4: Limited
access to quality education, SDG5: Pre-existing gender and socio-economic inequalities, SDG6: Water
and sanitation, SDG7: Clean Energy & SDG 10: Widening inequality gaps
❖ Economic Losses: Globally, the yearly economic losses from climate and weather-related disasters have
increased since the dawn of the 21st century.
❖ Food & Nutrition Crisis: Globally, acute food insecurity has more than doubled, from 149 million people
affected before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million in 2023.
➢ The current global food and nutrition crisis is the largest in modern human history.
➢ Reason of High Global Food Insecurity: Protracted conflicts, economic downturns and high food prices,
further exacerbated by high costs of agricultural inputs driven by ongoing and widespread conflict around
the world.
✓ Example: Cyclone Mocha, with an intensification of conflict and record-high food prices, also
severely aggravated acute food insecurity.
❖ Wildfires: It affected parts of Hawaii, Canada and Europe, which led to loss of life, the destruction of
homes and large-scale air pollution.
Way Forward:
❖ Support to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS): There is a need to increase the
support for NMHS to provide information services to ensure the next generation of Nationally Determined
Contributions are based on science.
❖ Effective Nationally Determined About Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Contributions (NDCs): NDCs need to be ❖ NDCs refer to the commitments made by countries to
based on science to effectively cut lay out a time-bound programme to cut GHG
greenhouse gas emissions and transition emissions, primarily by reducing reliance on fossil fuels
to renewable energy sources. and transitioning to renewable energy sources such as
❖ Adequate Financing: The need of the hour solar, wind and hydropower.
is to secure adequate financing at COP-29 About National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
(to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan) to support (NMHS):
the implementation of national climate ❖ NMHSs are the official authoritative source, and in
plans, including funding for mitigation and most countries, a single voice, on weather warnings in
adaptation measures, technology transfer, their respective countries, and, in many, they are also
capacity-building initiatives, and resilience- responsible for climate, hydrology, air quality, seismic
building efforts, particularly in developing and tsunami warnings and for space weather.
countries.
❖ Promote Sustainable Practices: Governments, businesses and individuals must promote sustainable
practices. This can range from waste management and water conservation to promoting circular
economies that reduce waste and overconsumption.
❖ Promote Climate Research and Innovation: There is a need to invest and research more on climate science
to understand the impacts better and develop innovative solutions.
➢ There is an urgent need to support and promote advancements in clean energy technologies, carbon
capture techniques, and other breakthroughs that can mitigate climate change.
➢ There is an urgent need to develop and invest more on early warning systems, better infrastructure
and implementing climate-smart agriculture.
❖ Education and Awareness: Raising About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
awareness about the impacts of climate
❖ The WMO is an intergovernmental organization with
change and educating the public about
193 member states and territories.
sustainable living practices is desirable
❖ India is one of the Member States of the WMO.
and required.
❖ Origin: WMO originated from the International
➢ Individuals need to adopt more
environmentally friendly practices Meteorological Organization, the roots of which were
for climate action. planted at the 1873 Vienna International
Meteorological Congress.
❖ Cooperation and Commitment:
Addressing climate change requires global ❖ Establishment: WMO was established by ratifying the
cooperation and commitment to ambitious WMO Convention on 23rd March 1950.
climate goals such as in line with the Paris ❖ Specialized Agency: It became the specialized agency of
Agreement. the United Nations for Meteorology (weather and
➢ Developed nations should support climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical
developing nations to enable them to sciences.
adapt and transition to a low-carbon ❖ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
economy.
Conclusion:
The Earth is experiencing unprecedented changes that are leading to more frequent and intense extreme
weather events, food insecurity, and displacement of vulnerable populations. To mitigate the impacts of climate
change and adapt to the new reality, it is crucial to scale up climate finance and close the financing gap.
Read More About Provisional State of the Global Climate report, 2023
News Source: The Indian Express
India’s Neighbourhood First Policy
Subject: Gs-02: International Relations
Context:
The recent visit of the Bhutanese Prime Minister to India, followed by the announcements of the visit of the Indian
Prime Minister to Bhutan, exemplifies India's commitment to neighbourhood first policy.
About Neighbourhood First Policy:
❖ ‘Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) was conceived in 2008 wherein the principles of engagement under NFP
were 5S (Samman, Samvad, Shanti, About India-Bhutan Relationship:
Samriddhi and Sanskriti). ❖ Historical Perspective: Diplomatic relations between
❖ It aims to foster stronger ties, enhance Bhutan and India were established in January 1968, with
regional cooperation, and address mutual the establishment of a special office of India in Thimphu.
concerns with immediate neighbouring ❖ Basic Framework: Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation
countries. signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was
❖ The Policy is driven by India’s consultative, renewed in 2007 serves as the basic framework.
nonreciprocal and development-oriented ❖ Spiritual Kinship: Bhutan considers India as “gyagar,”
approach. the sacred land where Buddhism originated. Buddhism
Evolution of Neighbourhood first Policy: has kept the ties between the two countries resilient.
❖ India's approach has evolved from anti-colonial solidarity to fostering regional hegemony, and then to
becoming a responsible leader aiming for mutual trust and cooperation.
❖ 2014 onwards: Revamping NFP to strengthen ties through economic cooperation, development assistance,
and addressing shared challenges.
❖ The NFP received a boost from all neighbours except Pakistan. Greater emphasis was also laid on regional and
sub-regional initiatives, through SAARC and BIMSTEC.
Significance of Neighbourhood First Policy:
❖ Strategic and Geopolitical Interests
➢ Leadership in the Region: NFP bolsters India's central role in the strategically competitive Indian Ocean
Region (IOR) and positions it as a regional leader.
➢ Balancing Regional Powers: NFP focuses on India's strategic maneuvering to counterbalance expanding
Chinese influence and solidify its position as a net security provider in the IOR.
➢ Multilateral Collaboration: The policy emphasizes on the importance of neighboring alliances in
reinforcing India's stance in global platforms and fostering regional cohesion.
❖ National Security Interests
➢ Safeguarding Sovereignty: The NFP underlines the need for cooperative neighbors to deter cross-border
insurgencies and uphold India's territorial sovereignty.
➢ Securing Maritime Borders: NFP promotes collaborative maritime security initiatives with proximate
countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives etc. to ensure safe and secure Indian waters.
❖ Economic and Developmental Interests
➢ Securing Energy Resources: The policy explores the hydroelectric potential of Himalayan neighbors
and the criticality of maritime routes for energy imports.
➢ North-Eastern Development through Regional Integration: It discusses how enhanced connectivity
and trade with neighbors can spur development in India's North-Eastern region.
❖ Soft Power Diplomacy
➢ Leveraging Historical Ties for Regional Influence: The Policy considers India's use of its rich cultural
heritage to strengthen diplomatic relations and enhance regional influence through soft power.
✓ For instance, the prevalence of Buddhism in India and Southeast Asia acts as a tool to strengthen
people-to-people ties and diplomatic relations.
Challenges to Neighbourhood First Policy:
❖ Comprehensive Policy Framework
➢ Policy Ambiguity: There's a perception that India lacks a clearly defined neighbourhood strategy, leading
to a reactive rather than a proactive approach in shaping relationships with neighbouring countries.
➢ Regional Cooperation Hurdles: Strained relations among regional nations affect the collective
implementation of policies, illustrated by the partial success in signing agreements at SAARC summits
due to objections from specific countries like Pakistan.
❖ Security Concerns
➢ Cross-Border Terrorism: Permeable borders and external support for terrorism in countries like Pakistan
contribute to security threats in India.
➢ Drug Trafficking and Piracy: Proximity to drug-producing regions and piracy risks off the Somali coast
exacerbate India's security and trafficking issues.
➢ Illegal Migration: Relations with Bangladesh have been strained due to domestic political rhetoric in
India concerning illegal migration.
❖ Rising Influence of China
➢ China’s Economic Expansion: China's Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR) has significantly increased its
trade with South Asian countries, challenging India's influence.
➢ Leveraging China Against India: Neighboring countries occasionally use China as leverage against
India, affecting bilateral relationships.
❖ Building Confidence with Neighbours
➢ Perceived Inequality: Neighbors sometimes feel India does not treat them as equals, impacting regional
trust. Historical military involvements are viewed with suspicion and contribute to apprehensions.
❖ Economic Challenges in the Neighbourhood
➢ Regional Economic Instabilities: Economic crises in countries like Sri Lanka impact India’s exports and
reflect broader regional economic vulnerabilities.
➢ LOC Project Delays: Significant delays in implementing Line of Credit projects to neighboring countries
cause frustration and diminish India's influence and trust in the region.
❖ Connectivity and Infrastructure Deficits
➢ Underdeveloped Border Areas: Lack of infrastructure at borders hampers trade and unrestrained
movement, with many border districts needing development and connectivity projects delayed.
❖ Domestic Politics Influencing Foreign Policy
➢ Political and Ethnic Sensitivities: Domestic politics and ethnic considerations sometimes dictate India's
foreign policy towards neighbors, affecting agreements like the Teesta Waters and engagement with ethnic
groups in Sri Lanka and Nepal.
❖ Environmental Challenges
➢ Climate Change and Disasters: The region's vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change poses
additional challenges, potentially leading to climate migration and disrupting development efforts.
Way Forward
❖ Revitalising and Utilising Regional Forums: There is a need to actively engage and leverage platforms like
SAARC, BIMSTEC, and IORA for continuous diplomatic engagement, dispute resolution, and promotion of
regional unity.
❖ Strategic Relations with China and Pakistan
➢ Negotiations with China: It is needed to prioritise defining the LAC clearly while firmly resisting any
violations, adhering to the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement.
➢ Counter-Terrorism Collaboration: There is a need to work with regional and global entities to establish
a counter-terrorism platform and consider economic ties with Pakistan, contingent upon its support for
broader people-to-people exchanges.
❖ Strengthen Internal Security: It is needed to bolster India’s internal security mechanisms to effectively
counter terrorist activities and ensure a proactive response from neighboring nations.
❖ International Collaborations: Reorientation of India’s foreign policy to build strategic alliances with major
global powers like the US, Russia, and the EU, and actively engage in international forums such as the UN,
BRICS, and G20 to address regional challenges.
❖ Tailored Diplomatic Efforts: It is needed to fine-tune India's diplomatic initiatives to address the specific
concerns and aspirations of smaller neighbouring countries through enhanced domestic coordination.
❖ Infrastructure Investments: Commit to significant infrastructure enhancements, including transport
networks and digital customs, viewing economic connectivity as beneficial rather than a security risk.
❖ Investment in Tourism: India needs to promote investments in the tourism sector, including medical tourism,
to strengthen people-to-people ties, enhance soft power, and support economic integration.
❖ Environmental Collaboration: India should foster joint efforts in water management and environmental
protection through data exchange and scientific research, addressing shared ecological challenges.
Conclusion
India's Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP) dynamically adapts to the region's evolving landscape, highlighting
India's commitment to shaping a prosperous South Asian future. This strategic approach is vital for fostering a
stable and affluent neighbourhood that aligns with India's national and foreign policy goals.
Additional Reading: India Bhutan Relations – Bhutan King’s India Visit
News Source: The Hindu

Missing Spring
Subject: GS:03: Environment
Context:
Indian States have been gradually registering a withdrawal of spring — a period of relatively benign weather
between the winter of January and the scorching summers of April.
More on News:
❖ Researchers from the agency Climate Trends calculated the monthly average temperature for 33 States and
Union Territories from 1970-present.
Key Highlights of the Study:
❖ Rising Temperatures during Winter:
About Western Disturbances:
Climate Trends researchers examined
❖ Western Disturbances are a series of cyclonic storms that
temperature trends from 1970 and found a
form in the Mediterranean and travel over 9,000
consistent rising tendency during the winter
kilometers to provide winter rainfall to northwest India.
across all locations.
❖ Accumulation of Precipitation: A Western Disturbance
❖ Increase in Temperature across India:
accumulates precipitation from the Mediterranean Sea,
Manipur had the highest temperature
Black Sea, and Caspian Sea, then moves across Iran and
increase (2.3°C) since 1970, while Delhi
Afghanistan before reaching the western Himalayas.
had the smallest (0.2°C).
❖ Temperature Variations in India: Southern India witnessed substantial warming in December and January,
with Sikkim and Manipur particularly affected.
➢ Rajasthan, along with Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, experienced a dramatic warming surge
between January and February (2.6°C).
❖ Lesser Warming and Cooling in North India: Northern India had lesser warming or even cooling in
December and January, but a significant rising trend in February, indicating rapid shifts to warmer
temperatures.
❖ Role of Western Disturbance: The disappearance of spring in many parts of India is related to changes in the
pattern of Western Disturbances and the jet stream, which influence winter temperatures and rainfall
distribution.
News Source: The Hindu
Plastic Chemicals
Subject: GS:03: Environment
Context:
According to a report by a European team, Chemicals in plastics are far more numerous than previous
estimates.
More on News:
❖ The report is funded by the Norwegian Research Council.
Key Highlights of the Study:
❖ Discovery of New Chemicals in Plastics: About Plastic Pollution:
Over 3,000 new compounds have been ❖ It refers to the accumulation of synthetic plastic products
discovered in plastics, surpassing earlier in the environment, creating problems for wildlife, their
estimates by environmental agencies. habitats, and human populations.
➢ These compounds are found in a ❖ Status in India: As per the report titled ‘Plastics, The
variety of plastic products, including Potential and Possibilities,’ India generates around 3.4
food packaging, toys, and medical million tonnes (MT) of plastic waste annually.
devices.
❖ Danger to Human health and Environment: Of the 16000 chemicals discovered by scientists in plastic,
around one-quarter are thought to pose dangers to both human health and the environment.
❖ Effects of Plastic chemicals on Human and Environment: Plastic chemicals may seep into water and food.
➢ Hundreds of plastic compounds have been found in humans, with some connected to harmful health
impacts.
➢ Such consequences include reproductive problems and cardiovascular illness.
❖ Amount of Plastic Waste: Approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year,
emphasizing the need to address this environmental catastrophe.
❖ Lack of Information about Chemicals: A considerable proportion (one-quarter) of the discovered chemicals
lack critical information about their basic chemical identification.
❖ Lack of Incentive for Disclosure: Only 6% of the compounds identified in plastics are regulated
internationally, demonstrating that there is no motivation for disclosure in the absence of regulatory pressure.
Recommendations:
❖ Addressing Not Enough: While the plastics industry has stated that any global treaty should promote plastic
recycling and reuse, simply addressing plastic waste is insufficient to safeguard people.
❖ Need of Greater Transparency: Greater transparency is required for the chemicals that are incorporated into
plastics, especially those used in recycled items.
Additional Source: Plastic Pollution
News Source: The Hindu

Liver Fluke Among Dogs

Subject: GS:03: Science and Technology
Context:
New study confirms discovery of Dog-killing Flatworms Parasite (Heterobilharzia Americana) in Southern
California’s Colorado river.
About Heterobilharzia Americana:
❖ Heterobilharzia Americana: It is
commonly called the liver fluke
parasite.
❖ Host: The parasite enters the dog
through the skin when canines wade or
swim in freshwater inhabited by
infected snails, the intermediate host.
➢ The researchers found that two
varieties of snails could transmit
the parasite — Galba cubensis
and Galba humilis.
❖ Transmission: The transmission of
Heterobilharzia americana occurs when
dogs come into contact with
contaminated water, leading to the
development of schistosomiasis, a
potentially fatal condition.
❖ Symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite,
weight loss etc.
➢ In humans, it can cause swimmer’s itch, a red rash where it penetrates human skin.
News Source: HT

Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater Geoheritage Sites

Subject: GS 01: Geography
Context:
Pandavula Gutta was recently officially recognised as Telangana's
sole geo-heritage site.
More on News:
❖ Recently, the Rajasthan Government also designated Ramgarh
Crater at Baran District as a Geoheritage site.
About Pandavula Gutta:
❖ It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan hills.
❖ Location: Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
❖ Discovery: First discovered in 1990.
❖ Features:
➢ Prehistoric Habitation: It exhibits many sites from mesolithic to medieval periods.
➢ Rock Art: Prehistoric man’s rock art was identified on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and
isolated boulders.
✓ Depictions of Wildlife: The rock art paintings depict wildlife like Bison, Antelope, Tiger, Leopard
etc.
✓ Unique Blend of Natural Colors: impressions in green, red, yellow and white pigment colors.
 ✓ Geometrical Shapes & Design: Swastika Symbols, circles and squares, weapons depicted such as
bows, arrows, swords and lancer etc, are present in these paintings.
❖ Major Attraction: Paleolithic Rock Art Paintings, Eduru Pandavula Guhalu, Rock Climbing, Rappelling and
Hiking.
Ramgarh Crater:
❖ It is a terrestrial Meteorite Impact
Crater
❖ Location: Ramgarh Village, Mangrol
Tehsil, Baran district, Rajasthan
❖ Discovery: first discovered by the
Geological Survey of India in 1869.
❖ Formation: It was formed around 165
million years ago due to Meteor
impact.
❖ Features:
➢ Circular Depression: It forms a
circular depression surrounded
by hills and forests
➢ Source of Essential Ecosystem
Services & Heritage: It provides essential ecosystem services to preserve the ecological balance,
biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region.
❖ Major Attraction: Geological Survey of India (GSI):
➢ Bhand Devra Temple, influenced by ❖ It is a geo-scientific organization of international repute
Chandela dynasty and their temples at engaged in mineral resource assessment, exploration of
Khajuraho, is an example of such mineral, energy and water resources for the country and
interchange. updation of national geo-scientific information.
➢ Ramgarh Conservation Reserve ❖ Founded in 1851
(recognised under the Wild Life ❖ Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines
Protection Act, 1972). ❖ Headquarters: Kolkata (WB)
➢ Pushkar Talab complex (wetland, ❖ Recently GSI celebrated its 174th Year of foundation Day
recognised under wetland conservation on March 4,2024
& Management Rules, 2017) located
inside the crater, is a saline and alkaline water source.
❖ Other Important Recognized Meteorite Craters in India: Lonar in Maharashtra & Dhala in Madhya
Pradesh.
What are Geoheritage sites?
❖ About Geoheritage Sites:
➢ Geoheritage sites are sites of rare and unique geological and geomorphological significance having
geomorphological, mineralogical, petrological, paleontological, and stratigraphic significance,
including caves, natural rock sculptures of national and international interest.
➢ Recognized by: Geological Survey of India (GSI) recognizes, declares, and maintains its heritage sites.
 ➢ Features:
✓ Scientific-Educational Value: Geological Features and unique Fossils that are crucial for research.
✓ Cultural & Aesthetic Value: Visuals on geological features depict cultural & aesthetic importance.
➢ Recognized Geo-heritage Site:
✓ Till GSI recognizes more than 90 sites.
✓ Out of these, 34 are geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments declared for protection and
maintenance after Pandavula Gutta & Ramgarh Crater.
✓ Some prominent geo-heritage sites are Mamluh caves in Meghalaya and Barbara Caves in Bihar.
Sites Map: Geo-Heritage-Geotourism Map
News Source: Pandavula Gutta -The Hindu, Ramgarh Crater - Times of India

Classification System for Metastatic Cancers

Subject: GS-03: Science and Technology
Context:
The scientists have proposed a classification system for metastatic cancers, placing the molecular characteristics
of the cancer over the tissue of origin.
More on News:
❖ Traditional Approaches to Treating ❖ Metastasis: In this, cancer cells break away from the
Cancer: It targets the organs in which the original (primary) tumor, travel through the blood or
tumor is present. This practice formed the lymph system, and form a new tumour in other organs or
basis of classifying cancers after the tissues of the body.
organ in which they originate, like breast
➢ Individuals with metastatic cancer are almost always
cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver
treated systemically with drugs that enter the
cancer, etc.
blood.
➢ However, most deaths due to cancer
are the result of the disease metastasising beyond the organ of origin.
Need for Change in Nomenclature:
❖ Mutations Not Limited to Single Organ: All cancers from the same organ don’t always share the same
mutations, and these mutations aren’t limited to cancers of a single organ.
➢ This requires cancers to be classified based on their molecular and genetic Characteristics rather
than the organ in which they originate.
❖ Treatment Delays due to Clinical Trials: Oncologists spend a lot of time testing new drugs in clinical trials
sequentially, leading to “delay in treatment access”.
Significance of the Proposed Classification System:
❖ Streamlining Clinical Trials: This will reduce the time needed to run clinical trials. Instead of testing the
drug in each disease defined by the organ of origin, only a few randomised trials would be required.
➢ A trial for a drug targeting a particular genetic mutation will cover all cancer types with those
mutations. This will reduce the time required for the trials.
❖ Helping patients understand the rationale behind their therapy: The two people may have same cancer
but not the same therapy because the biological mechanisms underlying their tumors are different.
➢ Thus, naming cancers with biological mechanisms would decrease such heterogeneity and will also help
the patient better to understand the rationale for his/her therapy.
❖ The challenge with the Proposed Classification System: Without trials that encompass a substantial number
of patients representing each type of cancer-based on molecular signatures, there is a risk of generalizing the
results across all cancers.
Way Forward:
❖ Approval of Drugs Based on Molecular Target: The regulatory agencies, scientific groups, and insurance
companies will need to clarify when a drug should be approved based on its molecular target.
❖ Analysing Molecular Profiles: Institutions need to establish teams focusing on analysing patients’
molecular profiles irrespective of the cancer type.
❖ Training to Medical Students: Medical students must be trained to understand the molecular basis of
cancers instead of memorising the characteristics of primary tumours.
Additional Reading: Latest Estimates of Cancer Burden In India: WHO
News Source: The Hindu

Gender Pay Gap

Subject: GS:03: Society
Context:
A recent World Bank Group report found that women receive only 77 cents for every $1 paid to males,
underscoring the gender pay disparity.
About Gender Pay Gap:
❖ Definition By ILO: The International Labour Organisation defines the gender pay gap as a "measurable
indicator" of disparity between men and women.
➢ Difference between Wage Levels: The ILO defines the gender pay gap as the difference between the
wage levels of all women and men working in the labor market for a monthly, hourly, or daily wage.
➢ Average Wage Gap: It refers to the average wage gap between all working women and men, not simply
for "equal work."
How is the Gender Pay Gap Calculated?
❖ Differ from equal pay for equal work: It is distinct from "equal pay for equal work," which requires equal
pay for men and women with the same qualifications performing the same job.
❖ Variation in Calculation: There is no single way for determining the gap. Different organizations employ
different measurements, such as hourly or weekly wages, resulting in disparate conclusions.
❖ Gender Inequality: Despite methodological differences, a gender pay disparity exists in most countries and
industries, demonstrating that inequality remains a problem.
Reasons for Gender Pay Gap:
❖ Low Labour Force Participation: Women are frequently underrepresented in the workforce relative to men
due to cultural expectations and established gender norms.
➢ Despite an increase in the number of girls enrolled in Class 10, India's Female LFPR has fallen from 30%
to 25% over two decades.
❖ Occupational segregation: Women are more likely to be employed in low-wage positions or industries,
whereas men dominate higher-wage areas such as engineering and computer science, resulting in disparities
in average salaries.
➢ According to research conducted by the National Association of Software and Services Companies
(NASSCOM), women in technology earn 29% less than men, with the difference widening even
further at senior management levels.
❖ Underrepresentation: According to the International Labour Organization's Women in Business and
Management report, women are less likely to hold management or leadership positions, particularly at higher
levels, which can affect income and contribute to the gender pay gap.
❖ Care Economy: Part-time work is more common among women than males, often due to caregiving
responsibilities. Part-time work often pays less and provides fewer benefits than full-time positions.
➢ When women take time from work to have and care for children, their earnings may suffer, resulting in
fewer prospects for progress or workplace discrimination.
❖ Gender Stereotypes: Women have been expected to prioritise caregiving and domestic responsibilities, which
can influence workplace dynamics and lead to women
Labour Force Men Women
being undervalued or overlooked for higher-paying jobs.
Participation Rate
❖ Low Educational Investment: Women may have
limited access to excellent education or encounter Global 72% 47%
challenges such as cultural norms or financial restrictions India 53.26% 25.51%
that prevent them from pursuing higher education or specialized training.
❖ Safety Concerns: Safety concerns in the workplace and during commutes can disproportionately impact
women's employment choices.
❖ Discrimination in the Services Sector: Pay discrimination developed considerably as the service industry
grew in the twentieth century.
❖ Age-Related Patterns: Age-based analysis of employment data reveals that women's earnings tend to fall in
their mid-30s and 40s compared to men in similar positions and professions. This is frequently attributed to
career breaks taken by women to care for children or elderly relatives
❖ Work-Family Balance: Claudia Goldin, a well-known economist, contends that males have traditionally been
permitted to prioritise their jobs while women have been required to prioritise family duties.
❖ Slow Improvement: Policies such as parental leave and work flexibility gradually lower the earnings gap, but
progress is slow.
News Source: Indian Express

Shipra River
Subject: GS:01: Geography
Context:
A performance audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on the degradation
of the Shipra River, threw up a host of significant findings.
Key Findings of the Report
❖ First Performance Audit: It was perhaps the first performance audit conducted by the CAG on a river’s
degradation in the entire central India.
❖ Improper Management of the River Basin: The natural flow the river reduced due to improper management
and over extraction of ground water in the Kshipra sub-basin.
❖ Causes of Deteriorating Water Quality of the River: Merging of untreated sewage in the river, inadequate
treatment of industrial waste, pollution at riverbanks adversely affecting the water quality of the Kshipra
❖ Non-Completion of Work in the stipulated time: The sewerage network and STP related works were not
completed as per timelines
❖ Lack of Infrastructure: ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) lacked sound systems for disposal of faecal sludge.
Some STPs were working on older technologies and the provision of reuse of the treated effluents was
also not created by the ULBs.
❖ Granting of Permission to Industries: The MP Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) belatedly granted consent
to industries adjacent to the river basin
❖ Absence of Effluent Treatment Plants: Many industries either ran without effluent treatment plants (ETP)
or were not equipped with alternative sources of power.
❖ Zero Liquid Discharge Compliance: A proper mechanism for ensuring compliance of zero liquid discharge
status wasn’t available
❖ Groundwater Contamination: Parameters of iron, cadmium, nickel and lead were beyond the permissible
limit in the ground water of Dewas industrial area, but action against the defaulting industries wasn’t
taken.
❖ Non issuance of Guidelines for Flood Plain zones: Guidelines regarding regulations in flood plain zones
(FPZ) were not issued by the Nagar Nigams and encroachments were observed in the FPZ of Kahn and Kshipra
rivers.
❖ Non-Execution of River front Development: River Front Development work wasn’t executed properly.
About Shipra River
❖ About: The Shipra, also known as the Kshipra, is a river in Madhya Pradesh state.
❖ Type of River: It is a perennial river and is considered as sacred as the Ganga River by the Hindus.
❖ Course of River:
➢ Origin: It originates in the Vindhya Range from a hill called Kakri-Tekdi, which is in the north of Dhar
and situated at a distance of 11km from Ujjain.
➢ It flows across the Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River.
❖ Religious Significance:
➢ The Puranas, or ancient Hindu texts, put forward that the Shipra originated from the heart of Varaha, Lord
Vishnu’s incarnation as a boar.
➢ Also on the banks of the Shipra is Sage Sandipani’s ashram or hermitage, where Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s
eighth incarnation, had studied.
➢ It finds mention not only in ancient Hindu texts but also in Buddhist and Jain scriptures.
➢ The holy city of Ujjain is located on the right bank of the Shipra River.
➢ The famous Kumbha Mela takes place in the ghats of this city, once every 12 years, a yearly celebration
of the river goddess Kshipra.
❖ Major Tributaries: Khan and Gambhir
News Source: The Indian Express

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)

Subject: GS-03: Environment
Context:
Bihar’s only tiger reserve Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) uses green energy to provide water to wild animals
during the hot summer.
More on News:
❖ Use of Solar-Powered Pumps: It has installed cost-effective and eco-friendly solar-powered pumps for
providing water regularly to tigers and other wildlife.
➢ Earlier, water tankers were used to fill waterholes for wild animals, which was a costly and time-
consuming process.
❖ Impact: Wild animals will
not stray into human
habitations in search of water
during summer.
About Valmiki Tiger Reserve:
❖ About: It forms the eastern
most limit of the
Himalayan Terai forests in
India.
❖ Location: It is in the Terai in
Bihar’s West Champaran
district in the Valmiki
Wildlife Sanctuary. Nepal
borders it to its north and
Uttar Pradesh to its west.
❖ Rivers: Rivers Gandak,
Pandai, Manor, Harha,
Masan, and Bhapsa flow
through various parts of the reserve.
❖ Vegetation: The mixed moist deciduous vegetation along the alluvial plains of the Gandak River is dominated
by sal (Shorea robusta), Rohini (Mallotus phillipensis) and sihor (Strebulus asper), etc.
❖ Fauna: Tigers, Leopards and Indian Wild Dogs are the large predators. Other species found here are the
leopard cat, fishing cat, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, hog deer, Indian bison (Gaur), Nilgai, wild
boar, etc.
News Source: DTE

United States Bans White Asbestos

Subject: GS: 03: Science and Technology
Context:
Recently, the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced a comprehensive ban on all forms of the deadly carcinogen
asbestos.
More on News:
❖ Chrysotile asbestos, also known as white asbestos, was the last remaining
type still legally used in the US.
About Asbestos:
❖ A Generic Term: It denotes a group of six silicate minerals with similar but distinct properties.
❖ Named on Colour: They are commonly known by their colours, as blue asbestos, brown asbestos, white
asbestos and green asbestos.
❖ Classification: Asbestos minerals are subdivided into two classes:
➢ The Serpentine Group: Its crystal morphology is snake-like, with a tendency to form bundles. It is
softer and more flexible than the other types of fiber.
✓ It consists solely of chrysotile, popularly known as ‘white asbestos’.
 ➢ The Amphibole Group: It consists of Ban of Asbestos in Developed Countries:
five chemically and morphologically
❖ Based on clinically deduced statistics, advised by the
diverse fibers primarily represented by WHO and ILO, governments across developed nations
crocidolite and amosite asbestos. have taken cognisance of this hazard and banned the use
✓ Crocidolite, sometimes called of asbestos.
‘blue asbestos’, occurs as needle- ❖ July 26, 1999, signalled the end of asbestos use
like fibers that are high in iron throughout all member states of the European Union.
content and are more durable than
❖ All asbestos products were banned in all European
chrysolite in human lungs.
Union countries from January 1, 2005 — including
❖ Source Countries: Asbestos mainly comes member states of Eastern Europe.
from Russia, Kazakhstan and China.
❖ Characteristics: Sound absorption, average tensile strength, affordability and excellent electrical insulator
and is highly fire and heat resistant.
❖ Uses and Applications:
➢ Manufacturers and builders use asbestos for its desirable physical properties.
➢ Asbestos has been used on ships as both a fire retardant and an insulator to protect sailors from the
constant and jarring vibrations of ships’ engines.
➢ It is used in insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes, and wallboard materials.
❖ Concerns: It is known to be a highly toxic material and a carcinogen.
➢ According to the World Health Organization, all varieties of asbestos are associated with conditions such
as lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal cancer, ovarian cancer and asbestosis, a lung fibrosis.
➢ Repeated exposure can cause inflammation and damage the DNA.
Asbestos Use in India:
❖ High Usage: Despite India enacting a ban on asbestos mining enacted in 1993, there is no law in place to
restrict its use in construction, import or trade.
➢ Moreover, India is one of the largest consumers and users of asbestos globally, and accounted for 44% of
global imports in 2021.
❖ It is used in housing and construction, especially in roofing.
❖ It is also used in piping, vehicles, brake parts, etc.
Types of air pollutants from asbestos-related activities
Source Pollutants
Asbestos mining and milling Fibre, dust
Asbestos bag opening and grinding Fibrous dust (fibre + suspended particulate matter, ie,
SPM)
Main cement silos, plant cement silos, transfer lines Cement dust (SPM)
Storage of oxidants, colouring agents, metal powders Miscellaneous dust (SPM)
Raw materials mixing Asbestos dust, cement dust and miscellaneous dust
(fibre + SPM)
Pulverising broken/rejected pieces Mixed dust (fibre + SPM)
Cutting and finishing operations SPM
 LDO baking ovens and furnaces Soot, fumes, CO (Carbon Monoxide), NOx (Oxides of
nitrogen) SO2 (Sulphur dioxide), phenolic gas,
ammonia, aldehydes
Boilers, incinerators SPM, NOx, SO2
About Chrysotile Asbestos:
❖ A Carcinogen: Chrysotile Asbestos is a carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer) and has severe
impacts on public health.
❖ A Common Type: It is the most common type of asbestos, making up 99% of the world's current asbestos
production.
➢ It is also the only serpentine form of asbestos, made up of long, curly fibers that weave to make sheets.
➢ Chrysotile has a low iron content (∼1.5%) and limited durability in the lung.
❖ Use: It was primarily used by the chlor-alkali industry, which produces chlorine bleach, caustic soda and
other chemicals used in water treatment.
➢ These products are vital for public health, raising concerns about potential disruptions.
News Source: Down to Earth

News in Shorts
GeM Sahay ❖ The GeM will launch a revamped mobile-based lending platform, GeM Sahay 2.0.
2.0 ➢ It endeavours to offer collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh to start-ups and
entrepreneurs at interest rates of upto 10 per cent and will be approved within ten
minutes.
❖ GeM-SAHAY app: It was launched in 2021 to address the credit availability challenges
faced by sole proprietors on GeM.
❖ GeM’s ‘Start-up Runway’ Initiative: It gives start-ups direct visibility with the buyers
of the public procurement portal.
❖ About GeM Portal: GeM was launched in 2016 as a government-to-business platform.
➢ It offers an end-to-end e-marketplace to facilitate e-procurement of commonly
used goods and services required by the Centre, states, and public sector
undertakings.
State ❖ State governments raised ₹50,206 crore via the auction of State Development Loan (SDL)
Development bonds.
Loan (SDL) About State Development Loans (SDL):
Bonds ❖ About: It is a bond issued by state governments to fund their fiscal deficit.
❖ Manager: These loans are managed by the RBI.
❖ Rate: The SDL coupon rates are marginally higher than those of GOI-Secs.
➢ G-Sec is a tradable instrument issued by the Central Government to raise money from
the public to finance the fiscal deficit.
❖ Eligible Security: SDL are eligible securities for the RBI under LAF Repo operations.
❖ Limit: Each state can borrow up to a set limit under Article 293(3) of the Constitution.
❖ This limit has been fixed under the FRBM Act to 3% of their Gross State Domestic
Product (GSDP).
 Exchange- ❖ There is increasing attention towards artificial intelligence (AI)-themed ETFs.
traded Funds ❖ ETF: An ETF is a basket of securities that trades on an exchange just like a stock does.
(ETFs) ➢ It offers investors a way to pool their money in a fund that makes investments in
stocks, bonds, or other assets and, in return, to receive an interest in that investment
pool.
➢ ETF share prices fluctuate all day as the ETF is bought and sold and thus, it differs
from mutual funds, which only trade once a day after the market closes.
❖ Types of ETFs:
➢ Index-Based ETFs: These ETFs seek to track a securities index like the S&P 500
stock index and generally invest primarily in the index's component securities.
➢ Actively Managed ETFs: Actively managed ETFs are not based on an index.
Instead, they seek to achieve a stated investment objective by investing in a portfolio
of stocks, bonds, and other assets.
Gaia AI ❖ Central bankers use artificial intelligence to collect data to assess climate-related
Project financial risks.
❖ Gaia AI Project: It analysed company disclosures on carbon emissions, green bond
issuance and voluntary net-zero commitments.
➢ With the traditional approach, each additional key performance indicator(KPI) and
each new institution requires the analyst to either search for the information in
public corporate reports or contact the institution for information.
➢ With Gaia, adding new KPIs or new institutions is quick and easy. This makes it
possible to extract and analyze a multitude of KPIs from a large number of
institutions.
Artificial ❖ There is a surge in AI tokens amid growing demand for Machine Learning applications.
Intelligence or ❖ AI tokens: These refers to cryptocurrencies that are specifically developed to fuel AI-
AI tokens based projects, applications, and services.
➢ These tokens serve either as a means of payment for transactions on the AI
platform or as a way of conferring governance rights to holders.
❖ Some Examples of AI Tokens: Scotty the AI, eTukTuk, Nosana, and Artificial Liquid
Intelligence - An ecosystem built to enhance AI ownership.
❖ Cryptocurrency: It is a digital form of currency secured by Blockchain Technology
that operates decentralised, free from government or institutional control. Ex- Bitcoin,
Ethereum, and Litecoin.
   