Recently, the Supreme Court sought a report from the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) about illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu.
What is Sand Mining
Sand mining is the extraction of naturally formed sand from river banks, riverbeds, wetlands, or coasts.
Sand is a silicate mineral and is of high value in construction, which is the primary driver of sand mining. Sand is the second-most used resource on Earth, after water.
Sand as Minor Mineral:
Sand is a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
Section 15 of the MMDR Act empowers the State Governments for making rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.
What is the impact of illegal Sand Mining
Loss of Revenue: Illegal sand mining is a direct loss of revenue for the state, and so is a corruption problem as well.
Threat to Ecosystem: It has increased channel instability and bank erosion, changes in river morphology, reduction in sediment availability, creation of deep pits and pools.
Threat to Wildlife: Sand mining threatens the survival and persistence of endangered riverine species like the gharial crocodile, freshwater turtles, otters, river dolphins, and waterbirds, as it destroys their nesting and breeding habitats.
Groundwater Depletion: Sand aquifer helps in recharging the water table and sand mining causes sinking of water tables in the nearby areas , drops leaving the drinking water wells on the embankments of these rivers dry.
Associated Social Evils: There are other social evils like bonded labour that are an integral part of illegal sand mining and its associated supply chains.
Measures taken by the government
Sand Mining Framework: It is prepared by the Ministry of Mines. It deals with the sustainability, availability, affordability and transparency in sand mining.
Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016: The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has issued Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines, 2016, to address the issues relating to regulation of sand mining.
Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act: The Section 23C of the Act empowers the State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.
Marine Heatwaves
Why in news?Recently researchers at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have recorded widespread bleaching impacting coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Sea owing to marine heatwaves.
More about the news
Marine heatwaves are rare extreme weather events that involve prolonged periods of abnormally high ocean temperatures.
These temperatures often exceed the 90th percentile of typical regional ocean temperatures based on historical data.
It showed that a considerable percentage of hard coral species had undergone severe bleaching, primarily due to prolonged periods of marine heat waves affecting the region since late October 2023.
Such heat stress levels signify a severe threat to coral health, leading to extensive bleaching where corals lose the symbiotic algae [zooxanthellae], compromising their survival by depriving them of essential nutrients.
The ongoing heat waves also threaten other critical marine habitats, including seagrass meadows.
Similar to corals, seagrass meadows are experiencing detrimental impacts due to the heatwaves, such as impaired photosynthesis, reduced growth, and hindered reproductive functions.
About Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute was established by the government of India in 1947 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
In 1967, it joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) family and emerged as a leading tropical marine fisheries research institute in the world
It has been actively undertaking studies to better understand ecological changes affecting coral reefs.
CMFRI has initiated a comprehensive national project aimed at investigating the resilience potential of various coral reefs in India.
By integrating advanced climatic modelling, deep-learning, and ecological research, CMFRI aims to enhance survey efficiency and develop resilience-based management actions ensuring the long-term sustainability of coral reef ecosystems.
Catatumbo Lightning
Why in news?
Recently, the viral images of Catatumbo Lightning are widely circulating on various social media platforms.
What is Catatumbo Lightning?
This specific lightning phenomenon associated with Lake Maracaibo is known as Catatumbo Lightning.
It is named after the Catatumbo River that feeds into the lake.
This display of nature’s power occurs most frequently at the mouth of the river, where it meets the lake. The Catatumbo lightning storms are a nocturnal spectacle, lighting up the sky with stunning frequency.
The lake’s proximity to the Andes Mountains and the Caribbean Sea creates a unique geographical setup that plays a crucial role in the frequency of lightning in the region.
The convergence of cool air from the Andes and moist air from the Caribbean generates a constant cycle of convection. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, leading to the formation of towering clouds which in turn, create an environment for electrical activity.
On the positive side, the continuous electrical activity helps to ionize the atmosphere, contributing to the generation of ozone. But it is bad in terms of fire hazards.
About Lake Maracaibo
Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is the largest lake in Latin America. It is also among the oldest water bodies on the planet.
Lake Maracaibo is a brackish lake. Hydrologically, it is a semi-enclosed bay off the coast of the Gulf of Venezuela.
It is fed by numerous rivers like Ana River, Chama River, Motatán River, Escalante River, the biggest being the Catatumbo River.
Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions.
Eutrophication caused by oil pollution is a major environmental problem facing the lagoon.
Drip Pricing
Why in news?
The Department of Consumer Affairs recently warned consumers about ‘drip pricing’.
What is Drip Pricing?
It is a strategy, where only a portion of the price is advertised initially, and additional charges are levied later during the purchase process.
The price advertised, whether in print, email, or on a website (referred to as the “headline price”), may not accurately reflect the final cost to the consumer.
Companies prefer to present a lower initial price and later disclose mandatory fees to avoid alarming customers with unexpectedly high prices.
Businesses might employ a drip pricing tactic to attract customers into initiating the purchasing process, banking on the likelihood that once started, customers may be less inclined to restart their search upon discovering additional costs.
Such practices fall under the category of ‘unfair trade practices’ as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
In December 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued ‘Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023’ to prevent and regulate dark patterns such as drip pricing, bait and switch, disguised advertising and false urgency.
Government Securities
Why in news?
Recently, the Government of India has unveiled plans for a significant buyback of its securities, amounting Rs 40,000 crore.
What is this buyback?
With this move, the Centre is choosing to repay a portion of outstanding debt before the dates of actual maturity of its bonds.
Buybacks release liquidity into the banking system. This buyback is a liquidity redistribution exercise by the government as they have clear visibility on their shorter-term funds.
The central bank is also due to pay the government the annual dividend in May 2024, which will further improve the government’s cash position.
About Government Securities
A Government Security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments.
It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation. Such securities are short term (usually called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year) or long term (usually called Government bonds or dated securities with original maturity of one year or more).
In India, the Central Government issues both, treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs).
G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.
Dated G-Secs are securities which carry a fixed or floating coupon (interest rate) which is paid on the face value, on a half-yearly basis. Generally, the tenor of dated securities ranges from 5 years to 40 years.
Capital Gains Tax
Why in news?
Recently, the union finance minister has denied reports that the Income Tax (I-T) Department is planning to introduce changes in the capital gains tax structure.
About Capital Gains Tax
A capital gains tax is the tax on profits realized on the sale of a non-inventory asset. It is a direct tax.
The most common capital gains are realized from the sale of stocks, bonds, precious metals, real estate, and property.
Capital gains taxes are due only after an investment is sold.
Long-term gains are levied on profits of investments held for more than a year. Short-term gains are taxed at an individual’s regular income tax rate, which is higher than the tax on long-term gains.
Bengal Gazette
Why in news?
Recently, Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was in news on the World Press Freedom Day.
About the newspaper
It was the first newspaper ever published in India was Hicky’s Bengal Gazette, whose inaugural edition went out on January 29, 1780.
Ireland-born James Augustus Hicky served as its founder-editor.
Hicky’s paper shed a light on government corruption, civic issues, and at times criticised the British East India Company.
It was certainly under the radar of British authorities, and was sued for libel around two years into its publication, leading to its closure.
The press had played a crucial role during the Indian independence movement.
It was The chief instrument through which the nationalist-minded Indians spread the message of patriotism and modern economic, social and political ideas and created an all-India consciousness.
MQ-9B Predator Drones
Why in news?
The Indian Army and the Air Force are planning to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at air bases in Uttar Pradesh.
About the Drones
The MQ-9B Predator drone is a variant of the MQ-9 “Reaper” developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
These drones are categorised as high-altitude, long-endurance UAVs, designed for extended flight durations at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet.
With a maximum endurance of 40 hours, they provide a reliable platform for prolonged surveillance. The MQ-9B Predator is capable of automatic take-offs and landings, providing operational flexibility.
The MQ-9B is armed with strike missiles, allowing it to engage and eliminate enemy targets with high precision. This feature enhances its effectiveness in various roles, including land and maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, and expeditionary missions.
The MQ-9B drone has two variants – SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian. The latter has been in operation by the Indian Navy since 2020.
Oxytocin
Why in news?
Recently, The Delhi High Court has ordered action against the use of oxytocin on cattle in city dairies, citing it as animal cruelty.
About Oxytocin
Oxytocin (OT) injections to milch cattle for milk letdown have become a common practice amongst dairy farmers in India
Oxytocin is administered to reduce incidence of retained placenta and uterine infections that could delay subsequent conception.
It is believed that the prolonged use of oxytocin injections also causes fertility disorders like poor oestrus signs, reduced lactation period, lower conception rate and high embryonic mortalities.
It is overused in the absence of oversight by a veterinary doctor. At high doses, it can hurt animals. Also, when untrained dairy farmers are administering the injection, it can cause pain for the animals.
Batillipes Chandrayaani
Why in news?
Recently, a new species of marine tardigrade discovered from the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu has been named Batillipes Chandrayaani after the Chandrayaan-3.
More about the news
Tardigrades are microscopic marvels commonly known as ‘water bears,’ although they have no relation to actual bears.
The names aside, this discovery is special because it is the third marine tardigrade species to have been scientifically described from the Indian waters and the second from the east coast.
Marine tardigrades account for 17% of all known tardigrade species. They are also found in all the oceans.
These animals are measured in micrometre and researchers use advanced microscopes to study them.
Despite their tiny physiques, these micro-metazoans easily rank among the hardiest animals, enduring mass extinctions and are highly regarded for their survival skills.
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