Daily Current Affairs (21st, 22nd & 23rd June)

Draft Mining Plan Guidelines for Coal and Lignite

Why in news?

Recently, the Ministry of Coal released Draft Mining Plan Guidelines for Coal and Lignite blocks 2024.

About the Guidelines 

• The primary objective of the guidelines is to optimize coal resource extraction through sustainable practices that minimize waste and enhance operational efficiency. 
• These guidelines serve as a strategic blueprint for coal mining companies, facilitating effective planning, execution, and monitoring of mining activities while upholding stringent environmental, social, and safety standards.
• The revised draft guidelines also focused on responsible mining practices that bolster the coal industry while prioritizing ecosystem preservation. 

• This involves mandatory inclusion of restoration, remediation, and regeneration measures in mining plans to ensure sustainable natural resource management. 
• By minimizing environmental impacts, addressing community concerns, and promoting continuous improvement in water quality monitoring, the guidelines aim to foster a more sustainable and ethical approach to coal mining.

• Some of the important guidelines:

• Enhanced flexibility for minor modifications in Mining Plans, with major changes requiring approval from the Coal Controller Organization (CCO).
• Mandatory reporting of other commercially valuable minerals found within leasehold areas to State Governments.
• Preference for blast-free and continuous coal-cutting technologies in mining methods.
• Implementation of comprehensive Safety Management Plans as per Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, including mandatory safety audits.
• Integration of fly ash filling protocols into mining plans to address related environmental concerns.
• Requirement for drone surveys and processed outputs for comprehensive five-year compliance reports of Mining Plans.
• Inclusion of sand for stowing in mines within revised guidelines.
• Provision for extraction of barrier coal in adjacent mines to conserve coal reserves
• Facilitation of mine amalgamation for safer and more efficient operations, including the use of decoaled voids for overburden dumping.
• Permission for project proponents to exclude non-viable areas within allocated blocks with detailed justifications.

World Investment Report 2024

Why in news?

Recently, the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the World Investment Report 2024. 

Key highlights of the report

• Global FDI flows fell 2% to $1.3 trillion in 2023, as trade and geopolitical tensions weighed on a slowing global economy.
• The FDI flows to developing countries including India dropped 7% to $867 billion. 

• According to the UNCTAD report the total FDI in India in 2023 was $28 billion as compared to $49 billion in 2022.

• The report indicates that the value of international project finance deals in African nations plummeted by 50 per cent to $64 billion in 2023, following a 20 per cent decrease in 2022.

• • Crises, protectionist policies and regional realignments are disrupting the world economy, fragmenting trade networks, regulatory environments and global supply chains.

• India Specific Highlights:

• India remained among the Top five countries of the world in attracting FDI in greenfield projects and international project finance deals. 

• India was ranked the fourth-largest recipient of FDI announcements in greenfield projects. It was ranked 3rd in 2022.

• India retained the second rank in the world for FDI in international projects deals.

Viability Gap Funding Scheme

Why in news?

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects.

More about the news

• The VGF scheme is a major step towards implementation of the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015 with an aim to exploit the vast offshore wind energy potential that exists within the exclusive economic zone of India.  
• The VGF support from the Government will reduce the cost of power from offshore wind projects and make them viable for purchase by DISCOMs. 
• While the projects will be established by private developers selected though a transparent bidding process.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry for the implementation of the scheme.

About Viability Gap Funding scheme

• The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme aims at supporting infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall marginally short of financial viability. 
• Support under this scheme is available only for infrastructure projects where private sector sponsors are selected through a process of competitive bidding. 
• The total VGF under the scheme does not exceed 20% of the total project cost, however, the Government may decide to provide additional grants up to a limit of a further 20%.
• List of sectors permissible for viability gap funding (VGF) include: Public infrastructure such as roads, airports public amenities such as power, water supply, waste management Infrastructure projects in special economic zones (SEZ) and national investment and manufacturing zones (NIMZ) Education, health and skill development. 

India’s Share in the Global Space Economy

Why in news?

Recently, the Government of India said that the country’s share in the global space economy is projected to increase fourfold by 2030 compared to 2021.

About India’s Space Economy

• At present, the Indian space economy is valued at around $8.4 billion with a 2% share in the global space economy.
• As per IN-SPACe’s projection, India’s space economy has the potential to reach $44 billion by 2033 with about 8% of the global share.
• At present, the share of the domestic market is ₹6,400 crore ($8.1 billion). The export market share is ₹2,400 crore ($0.3 billion). 
• The Government aims to increase the domestic share to ₹26,400 crore ($33 billion), and the export share to ₹88,000 crore ($11 billion).
• IN-SPACe aims to achieve the decadal vision and strategy for Indian space economy through 10 key strategic and enabling capabilities, which are

• Demand generation, Earth Observation (EO) platform, Communication platform, Navigation platform, Research & Development eco-system, Creation of a talent pool, Access to finance, international synergy, Collaboration, Policy and regulation.

Global Initiative on Digital Health

Why in news?

Recently, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance has not approved the contribution of USD 10 million for the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).

About GIDH

• • The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) was launched as a “key deliverable” of India’s G20 Presidency during the Health Ministers’ meeting.
  • The GIDH is a World Health Organization (WHO)-managed network of organisations, institutions and government technical agencies engaged in supporting national digital health transformation.
  • The initiative is a network of networks with four main components — country needs tracker, country resource portal (a map of resources available in a country), transformation toolbox that will share quality-assured digital tools, and knowledge exchange.
  • It acts as a vehicle to facilitate the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.

• Objectives: 

• Assess and prioritize country needs for sustainable digital health transformation.
• Increase the alignment of country-level digital health resources and unfunded priorities.
• Support the accelerated achievement of the strategic objectives of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.
• Build capacity and converge efforts to encourage local development, maintenance, and adaptation of digital health technologies to continuously changing needs.

Neglected Tropical Disease 

Why in news?

Recently, Chad has become the first country in 2024 and the 51st globally to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD) — the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness.

More about the news

• HAT is caused by protozoan parasites that spread via infected tsetse flies. The illness is typically fatal, if not treated, the disease progresses slowly, causing fatigue, headaches and, in severe cases, coma. 
• There are two forms of HAT, determined by the subspecies of the parasite involved: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which accounts for 92 per cent of reported cases and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, responsible for the remaining 8 per cent.

About Neglected Tropical Disease

• NTDs are a diverse group of 20 conditions mainly prevalent in tropical areas — caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.
• They are most common among marginalized communities in the developing regions of Africa, Asia and the Americas.
• Poverty, inadequate healthcare and inadequate sanitation practices contribute to all NTDs.
• The neglected tropical diseases which especially affect India include ascariasis, hookworm infection, trichuriasis, dengue fever, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, melioidosis, cysticercosis, leprosy, echinococcosis, visceral leishmaniasis, and rabies.
• The government of India collaborates with the World Health Organization in making financial investments in health care for the purpose of reducing and eliminating neglected tropical diseases in India.

Rotavirus Vaccine

Why in news?

Recently, A study found that Bharat Biotech’s Rotavirus vaccine used in the government’s immunization program increases the risk of intussusception in infants.

More about the news

• According to the study, the vaccine has been associated with an increased risk of intussusception in infants.

• Intussusception is a serious condition where one part of the intestine slides into the next, potentially leading to bowel gangrene or even death without immediate treatment.

• However, according to Bharatbiotech, Rotovac vaccine is manufactured using human rotavirus strains and not from animal origin. Hence, the rate of intussusception is similar in vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects. 

About the Rotavirus

• Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea and other intestinal symptoms.
• It’s very contagious and spreads through hand-to-mouth contact.
• It is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. 
• Rotavirus causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines. 
• There’s no medicine for rotavirus. The infection usually passes on its own.

Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report 2024

Why in news?

Recently, the World Bank released the Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report 2024.

Key Highlights

• The World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring Tracker is the only global and independent indicator of routine gas flaring. 

• Gas flaring is the burning of the natural gas associated with oil extraction.

• The estimates allow us to monitor global flaring levels and track progress toward our goal of Zero Routine Flaring by 2030.
• It reveals that global gas flaring volumes rose by about 7% to 148 bcm in 2023 from 139 bcm in 2022. 
• Oil production remained relatively stable, resulting in an increase in the global average flaring intensity.
• The top nine flaring countries continue to account for 75% of all flaring but only 46% of global oil production.
• The report said Algeria and Venezuela had reduced flaring, but those gains were eroded by Iran, Russia, the United States and Libya, among others.
• The increase in gas flaring in 2023 has highlighted the need for oil producers to accelerate efforts to end routine flaring and minimize methane emissions from oil and gas operations. 
• The report emphasizes the importance of transparent, accurate reporting on flaring and methane emissions, the implementation of low-emission technologies for flare systems, and a shift in attitudes and policies to treat associated gas as a resource rather than a byproduct.

Global Environment Facility

Why in news?

The 67th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) ended with an approval for $736.4 million in funding.

About Global Environment Facility

• The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to assist in the protection of the global environment and to promote environmentally sustainable development.
• The GEF Secretariat is based in Washington D.C. and is led by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-Chairperson, who is appointed for a four-year term by the GEF Council.
• The GEF governance structure is composed of the Assembly, the Council, 18 Agencies and a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel.

• Assembly: 

• The Assembly is composed of all 184-member countries or Participants. 
• It is responsible for reviewing general policies, reviewing and evaluating the GEF’s operation based on reports submitted to Council, reviewing the membership of the Facility and considering amendments to the Instrument for the Establishment of the Restructured Global Environment Facility.

• Council: 

• The GEF Council is the governing body for the GEF. 
• The Council is composed of 14 members from donor constituencies and 18 from recipient constituencies (a total of 32 GEF members) and makes decisions by consensus. The Council adopts and evaluates the operational policies and programmes, and reviews / approves the projects submitted for approval.

• The GEF is a unique partnership of 18 agencies including United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, national entities and international NGOs, working with 183 countries to address the world’s most challenging environmental issues.
• It is a financial mechanism for five major international environmental conventions, namely

• the Minamata Convention on Mercury, 
• the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants,
• the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 
• the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification,
• and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

• The GEF Trust Fund was established to help tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems. 

• Funds are available to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to meet the objectives of the international environmental conventions and agreements.
• The World Bank is the permanent trustee.

Iberian Lynx

Why in news?

Recently, the Iberian lynx has moved from being ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

About Iberian Lynx

• The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a medium-sized wild cat species native to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, including Portugal and Spain.
• This lynx is generally nocturnal and its activity patterns are closely synchronized with those of their major prey, the rabbit.
• It requires variable terrain below 1300 m, containing a mosaic of closed Mediterranean scrubland interspersed with open patches of grassland, often with marsh ecotones.
• They are threatened by decreasing food base, habitat loss and degradation and illegal hunting.
• Conservation measures include restoring its native habitat, maintaining the wild rabbit population, reducing unnatural causes of death, and releasing captive bred individuals.

Diatoms

Why in news?

Recently, a new freshwater diatom genus was discovered from the Eastern and the Western Ghats.

More about the news

• The genus has been named “Indiconema” due to its limited distribution within the country.

• Diatoms are microscopic algae that play a crucial role in our everyday lives, producing approximately 25 percent of the global oxygen supply.
• They are the only organism on the planet with cell walls composed of transparent, opaline silica. Diatom cell walls are ornamented by intricate and striking patterns of silica.
• They form the base of the aquatic food chain and serve as valuable indicators of water quality due to their sensitivity to changes in water chemistry.

• The study’s findings suggest that Indiconema is closely related to Afrocymbella, a genus endemic to East Africa, further emphasizing the biogeographical connections between India and the African continent.
• India boasts a rich diatom diversity, with an estimated 6,500 taxa, of which 30 percent are endemic (restricted to a particular region), suggesting the country’s unique biodiversity.
• The diverse biogeographic zones, ranging from freshwater to marine environments, sea level to high mountains, and alkaline lakes to acidic swamps, support a wide array of habitats and unique sets of diatoms.

Kolar Gold Fields 

Why in news?

Recently, the Karnataka cabinet approved a Union government proposal to allow mining in Kolar.

About Kolar Gold Fields

• The Kolar Gold fields are situated in Karnataka and operated by the Bharat Gold Mines Limited.
• It was among the deepest in the world.
• The mines were closed in 2001 owing to high operational costs and low revenues.
• As per National Mineral Inventory data, the total reserves/resources of gold ore (primary) in the country have been estimated at 501.83 million tonnes.
• In India, the largest resources of gold ore (primary) are located in Bihar (44%) followed by Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Andhra Pradesh (3%), Jharkhand (2 %).
• Currently, India has three working gold mines in the country — Hutti and Uti mines in Karnataka and the Hirabuddini mines in Jharkhand.

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary 

Why in news?

Recently, Six Asiatic lions have migrated from Gir Forest to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Barda Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gujarat, India. 
• It is situated approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Porbandar and 100 kilometres (62 mi) west of Gir Forest National Park.
• The terrain is hilly and undulating; there are slopes and exposed rocks. The tropical climate is characterized by very hot summers.
• There are several forest sub-types, such as southern tropical forest, southern dry mixed deciduous forest and northern tropical thorn forest, while other predominant flora include Euphorbia scrub, dry deciduous scrub, and dry bamboo brakes.
• It houses Leopard, Hyena, Wild boar, wolf, Jackal, blue bull, rare and endangered spotted eagle, crested hawk eagle, etc.
• The Gujarat government has proposed the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) as a second habitat for the Asiatic lions.

Nalanda University

Why in news?

Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the campus of Nalanda University.

About Nalanda University

• It was founded in the 5th century CE by Emperor Kumaragupta, and it flourished for the next 700 years by promoting a syncretic learning experience.
• It was the first residential university of the world, sustained by the conscientiousness of the learned monks and teachers, which included masters such as Nagarjuna, Aryabhatta and Dharmakirti.
• The subjects that were taught at Nalanda included Buddhist scriptures (of both Mahayana and Hinayana schools), philosophy, theology, metaphysics, logic, grammar, astronomy and medicine.
• The library of Nalanda, known as Dharma Gunj (Mountain of Truth) or Dharmagañja (Treasury of Truth), was the most renowned repository of Buddhist knowledge in the world at the time.
• At its peak, the university attracted scholars and students from as far away as China, Greece, and Persia. Nalanda was sacked by Turkic Muslim invaders underBakhtiyar Khalji in 1193.
• The ruins of the seat of learning were first rediscovered in 1812 by Scottish surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton. 
• Later, in 1861, it was officially identified as the ancient university by Sir Alexander Cunningham.
• It was in March 2006, while addressing a joint session of Bihar State Legislative Assembly, that the late former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, proposed the revival of the ancient university.
• The Bihar Assembly, in 2007, passed the University of Nalanda Bill to facilitate the creation of a new, international university near the site of the ancient learning centre in Rajgir. 
• In 2010, Parliament replaced this Act with the Nalanda University Bill, which deemed the proposed university to be one of “national importance”, and laid down rules regarding how it would be governed.

Cyber Mercenaries

Why in news?

Recently, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns of ‘cyber mercenaries’ amid a spike in weaponizing digital tools.

About 

• Cyber mercenaries are private sector companies that develop, sell, and support offensive cyber capabilities for their highest bidders.
• Cyber Mercenaries explores the secretive relationships between states and hackers. 
• As cyberspace has emerged as the new frontier for geopolitics, states have become entrepreneurial in their sponsorship, deployment, and exploitation of hackers as proxies to project power.
• The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has formulated a draft National Cyber Security Strategy which looks at addressing the issue of security of national cyberspace.

Tapas Drones

Why in news?

Recently, the Indian Air Force ordered six made-in-India Tapas surveillance drones.

About 

• The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance Beyond Horizon or Tapas drones are medium-altitude long, endurance-category drones.
• They have been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and manufactured by a consortium of Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• They can operate at an altitude of 30000 ft, endurance of 24 hrs with EO & SAR payloads and a range of 250 kms. 
• It can carry a variety of payloads up to a maximum of 350 kgs.