Daily News Digest 11 May 2024

Sundarban Mangrove Ecosystem

Why in news?

Recent study reveals how air pollution, particularly black carbon, is deteriorating air quality in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem.

More about the news

• The study titled ‘Acidity and oxidative potential of atmospheric aerosols for a remote mangrove ecosystem during the advection of anthropogenic plumes’ is released by the IIT-Kanpur & Bose Institute.
• The study highlighted how pollutants, especially black carbon or soot particles, not only from urban activities in Kolkata but from the entire Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) were significantly impacting the Sundarbans.
• The pollutants transported from the IGP as well as localised pollutants like biomass burning and emissions from local boat services made the particulate matter (PM) suspended over Sundarbans highly acidic and rich in trace metals.

• The acidic components of PM 2.5 (ultrafine particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometer) pollutants favoured the formation of reactive oxygenated species (ROS).
• ROS is a type of unstable molecule that contains oxygen that easily reacts with other molecules in a cell. The buildup of ROS can damage a living cell and also has the potential of causing cell death.

• Old motors in local boats being operated in West Bengal were also identified as a major source of heavy toxic metals in the air.

About Sundarbans Mangrove Forests 

• The Sundarbans mangrove forest lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. 
• It is named after the dominant mangrove tree species, Heritiera fomes, known as sundri in Bengali.
• The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. 
• It comprises closed and open mangrove forests, land used for agricultural purposes, mudflats and barren land.
• The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
• Four protected areas in the Sundarbans are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viz. Sundarbans West (Bangladesh), Sundarbans South (Bangladesh), Sundarbans East (Bangladesh) and Sundarbans National Park (India).

Report on International Forest Governance

Why in news?

Recently, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), released a report titled International Forest Governance: A Critical Review of Trends, Drawbacks, and New Approaches.

Key highlights of the report

• The report was launched at the UN Forum on Forests in New York.
• It provides a comprehensive analysis of international forest governance since 2010.
• This new assessment revisits the questions examined in the 2010 report on the International Forest Regime and examines the main aspects of the current landscape of international forest governance.
• The report highlights the increasing climatization of forests, which emphasizes their role as carbon sinks, possibly at the expense of their ecological and social functions.
• It reveals that despite various international efforts, the success in slowing deforestation is limited and challenging to measure.
• The report also points out that this shift in focus is undermining the value of forests as complex ecosystems and diminishing their diverse social functions and intrinsic ecological roles in the process.
• The report called on policymakers to value forests beyond carbon sinks, emphasise long-term market-based investments, and ensure an equitable and sustainable future for communities dependent on forests.

About UN Forum on Forests 

• The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is a high-level intergovernmental policy forum. 
• UNFF was established in 2000 by the UN Economic and Social Council. 
• The forum includes all United Nations member states and permanent observers, the UNFF Secretariat, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, Regional Organizations and Processes and Major Groups.
• The United Nations Forum on Forests promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests. India holds the distinction of being a founding member of UNFF. 
• The UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests for the period of 2017-2030. 
• This Strategic Plan serves as a global framework for actions at all levels to achieve the sustainable management of all types of forests, including trees outside forests, and to combat deforestation and forest degradation.

Functions of the UNFF

• To facilitate implementation of forest-related agreements and foster a common understanding on sustainable forest management;
• To provide for continued policy development and dialogue among Governments, international organizations, including major groups, as identified in Agenda 21 as well as to address forest issues and emerging areas of concern in a holistic, comprehensive and integrated manner,
• To enhance cooperation as well as policy and programme coordination on forest-related issues
• To foster international cooperation and to monitor, assess and report on progress of the above functions and objectives
• To strengthen political commitment to the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

Dietary Guidelines by the ICMR

Why in news?

Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) jointly released a New Dietary Guideline for Indians.

More about the news

• The 17 dietary guidelines are released to meet the requirements of essential nutrients and prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity and diabetes.
• According to the estimates, 56.4% of the total disease burden in India is due to unhealthy diets.
• According to the National Institute of Nutrition, due to the limited availability and high cost of pulses and meat, a significant proportion of the Indian population relies heavily on cereals, resulting in poor intake of essential macronutrients. 
• Some of the guidelines 

• Eat a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet
• Pregnant women and new mothers should have access to extra food and healthcare
• Ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months; continue breastfeeding till two years and beyond
• After six months of age, the infant should be fed homemade semi-solid complementary foods
• Ensure adequate and appropriate diets for children and adolescents in health and sickness
• Eat plenty of vegetables and legumes
• Use oil/fats in moderation; choose a variety of oil seets, nuts etc. to meet daily needs of fats and essential fatty acids
• Obtain good equality proteins and essential amino acids; avoid protein supplements to build muscle mass
• Restrict salt intake, consume safe and clean foods and ensure appropriate pre-cooking and cooking methods are used
• Drink plenty of water and minimise the consumption of ultra-processed foods and high fat, sugar, salt
• Read information on food labels.

mRNA Vaccine

Why in news?

Recently, the first human trial of an mRNA vaccine for glioblastoma (GBM) has shown it can trigger the body’s immune system to attack this type of brain cancer.

About mRNA Vaccine

• An mRNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that uses a copy of a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce an immune response.
• The vaccine delivers molecules of antigen-encoding mRNA into immune cells, which use the designed mRNA as a blueprint to build foreign protein that would normally be produced by a pathogen (such as a virus) or by a cancer cell. 
• These protein molecules stimulate an adaptive immune response that teaches the body to identify and destroy the corresponding pathogen or cancer cells.
• The mRNA is delivered by a co-formulation of the RNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles that protect the RNA strands and help their absorption into the cells.
• Unlike conventional vaccines that stimulate the immune system through the use of a weakened, damaged, or inactivated version of a pathogen (virus or bacteria), DNA and mRNA vaccines use genetic materials that code for the pathogen’s spike protein to trigger an immune response. 
• Specifically, DNA vaccines use small DNA molecules (plasmids), while mRNA vaccines use the pathogen’s messenger RNA to do the job. DNA and mRNA vaccines produce a stronger immune response by activating all the components of the immune system.
• DNA vaccines are significantly more temperature-stable compared to mRNA vaccines.

UN Membership Procedure

Why in news?

Recently, the UNGA voted overwhelmingly for a resolution asking the Security Council to make Palestine, which has UN observer status, a full member.

More about the news

• The vote reflected the wide global support for full membership of Palestine in the United Nations.
• The resolution was passed by a resounding majority of 143 votes in favour including by India while 25 countries abstained, and nine nations, including the United States and Israel, voted against it.
• The resolution was put forward by the United Arab Emirates, grants new privileges to the Palestinian Authority in its current capacity as a non-member observer state. 

About UN Membership Procedure

• Article 4 of the UN Charter states that the UN “is open to all other peace-loving States which accept the obligations contained in the present UN Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.”
• A State seeking membership to the UN first submits an application to the Secretary-General. 
• The State also makes a formal declaration, stating that it accepts the obligations of membership as stated in the UN Charter. 
• The Security Council considers the application. Any recommendation for admission must receive nine affirmative votes of Council members, and no veto or negative vote from any of the five permanent members.
• Then the recommendation is presented to the General Assembly for consideration. A two-thirds majority vote is necessary for admission. Membership to the UN becomes effective on the date the resolution for admission is adopted.

Hermes-900

Why in news?

The Indian Army is set to induct its first Hermes-900 drone in a major boost to its surveillance capabilities along the Pakistan border.

About Hermes-900

• The Hermes-900 known as the Drishti-10 drone is being supplied to Indian forces including Indian Army and Navy by Adani Defence Systems.
• The Elbit Systems Hermes 900 Kochav is an Israeli medium-size, multi-payload, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for tactical missions.
• It has an endurance of over 30 hours and can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet (9,100 m), with a primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay.
• Its payload options include electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic-aperture radar/ground-moving target indication, communications and electronic intelligence, electronic warfare, and hyperspectral sensors.

Gulf of Aden

Why in news?

Recent pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden raises concerns about growing Somali piracy.

About Gulf of Aden

• Gulf of Aden is an extension of the Indian Ocean, tucked between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.
• It is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channel, Socotra and Somalia to the south.
• In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and it connects with the Arabian Sea to the east.
• The waterway is part of the important Suez Canal shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea in the Indian Ocean.