Current Affairs 8 May 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 8 May 2021  focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

1. Beyond Visual Line of Sight
2. Human Caused Methane Emissions
3. India’s Sovereign Credit Rating
4. Lumpy Skin Disease
5. SpaceX Starship
6. Regulatory Review Authority 2.0
7. Smuggling Of Uranium
8. Unique Disability ID and Portal

Beyond Visual Line of Sight

Source : PIB
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Why in News ?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) & Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have granted conditional exemption to the Government of Telangana for conducting experimental Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights for delivery of vaccines.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight

• BVLOS capabilities enable a drone to cover far greater distances.
• Unlike VLOS flights, which are operated within the pilot’s line of sight, BVLOS flights are flown beyond the visual range.
• BVLOS has numerous applications and is cost-effective.
• It enables service providers to conduct complex drone operations and facilitate drones to fly without any human interference.
• The lower altitude of drone flight makes them ideal for high-resolution data collection.
• In many cases, drones prevent humans from being placed in a dangerous situation.

Key Facts

• Exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 has been granted as part of government’s constant endeavour to enhance the scope of drone usage in the country.
  • It aims to assist the nation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Exemption for conducting experimental delivery of Covid-19 vaccines within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Range using drones was allowed earlier.
• This exemption shall be subject to complete adherence to the conditions as stated in Annexure 1 and the directions/ exemptions issued (or to be issued in future) by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
• Valid for a period of one year from the date of approval of the SOP or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Conditions for conducting experimental BVLOS drone flights for delivery of vaccines

• Basic documents to be submitted for the operation.
• Security clearance of the entities involved.
• The maximum permitted height for drone operations is 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL).
• BVLOS trials should be attempted only after all risks are mitigated to an acceptable level of safety.
• Drone pilots shall hold a valid certificate of training and have sufficient experience in drone operations.
• Before commencement of the trials, clearance from IAF and local administration shall be obtained.
• Drone operations shall be limited between local sunrise and local sunset.
• Payload should be restricted to the proposed use-case.
• This permission for BVLOS trial flights shall not be used for any commercial purpose.

Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2021.
• UAS categorised as
  • Airplane, rotorcraft and hybrid with further categorisation as remotely piloted aircraft, model remotely piloted aircraft and autonomous unmanned aircraft system.
  • Nano, micro, small, medium and large unmanned aircraf
• Flying range 
  • Mandatory for individuals and companies to obtain approval from the DGCA to import, manufacture, trade, own or operate drones.
  • No Permission- No Take-off (NPNT) policy adopted for all UAS except for those in the nano category.
  • Micro and small UAS are not permitted from flying above 60m and 120 m.
  • UAS prohibited from flying in strategic and sensitive location.
• Delivery of good
  • Nano, micro and small UAS operations limited to within the visual line of sight and are prohibited.
  • Delivery of goods permitted by medium and large UAS.
• Penalties for Violatoin
  • Between rupees ten thousand and one lakh for individual
  • For organisations 200, 300 and 400% of the amount specified for individuals based on the size of the organisation.

Human Caused Methane Emissions

Source : Down To Earth
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in News ?

Human caused methane emissions must be cut by 45 per cent to avoid the worst effects of climate change a new United Nations report.

About the Report

• Report titled Global Methane Assessment : Benefits and Costs of Mitigating Methane Emissions.
• It was released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the United Nations Environment Programme May  2021.

Key Facts

• Cut would prevent a rise in global warming by up to 0.3 degrees Celsius by 2045.
• It would also prevent 260,000 premature deaths 775,000 asthma-related hospital visits annually as well as 25 million tonnes of crop losses.
• Human-caused methane emissions are increasing faster currently than at any other time since record keeping began in the 1980s.
• Carbon dioxide levels have dropped during the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • Methane in the atmosphere reached record levels last year, according to the data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• This was a cause of concern as methane was an extremely powerful greenhouse gas.
  • It was responsible for about 30 per cent of warming since pre-industrial times.

Measures Taken

• European Commission had adopted the European Union Methane Strategy in October 2020.
  • It outlined measures to cut methane emissions in Europe and internationally.

Activities causing Methane Emission ?

• UN report noted that most human-caused methane emissions came from three sectors:
  • Fossil fuels
  • Waste
  • Agriculture.
• Fossil Fuels
  • Oil and gas extraction, processing and distribution accounted for 23 per cent of methane emissions.
  • Coal mining accounted for 12 per cent of emissions.
• Landfills and wastewater made up about 20 per cent of emissions in the waste sector.
• Agricultural sector
  • Livestock emissions from manure and enteric fermentation constituted for roughly 32 per cent
  • Rice cultivation eight per cent of emissions.

How can the emission controlled ?

• Europe had the greatest potential to curb methane emissions from farming, fossil fuel operations and waste management.
• India had the greatest potential to reduce methane emissions in the waste sector.
• China’s mitigation potential was best in coal production and livestock, while Africa’s was in livestock, followed by oil and gas.
• Fossil fuel industry had the greatest potential for low-cost methane cuts.
• The waste sector could cut its methane emissions by improving the disposal of sewage around the world.
• Three behavioural changes could reduce methane emissions by 65–80 million tonnes per year over the next few decades
  1. Reducing food waste and loss
  2. Improving livestock management
  3. Adopting healthy diets 

Initiative to tackle Global Methane and Global Warming

• Global Methane Initiative 
  • Launched in 2004 the GMI is an international public-private initiative
  • Focus on use of methane as a clean energy source in three sectors :
    • Bio-gas including agriculture, municipal solid waste, and wastewater
    • Coal mines
    • Oil and gas systems.
• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • International environmental treaty addressing climate change
  • Negotiated and signed by 154 states at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
  • Informally known as the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro
• Kyoto Protocol
  • international treaty which extends the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, based on the scientific consensus
  • The Kyoto Protocol applies to the six greenhouse gases
    • Carbon dioxide (CO2)
    • Methane (CH4)
    • Nitrous oxide (N2O)
    • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
    • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
    • Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
• International Carbon Action Partnership
  • founded in 2007 by more than 15 government representatives as an international cooperative forum.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere, but they prevent the heat that the sunlight brings from leaving the atmosphere. 

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) : Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through burning fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil, solid waste, trees and other biological materials
  • Also as a result of certain chemical reactions like manufacture of cement.
• Methane (CH4) : Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil.
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) : Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land use, industrial activities, combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste, as well as during treatment of wastewater.
• Fluorinated Gases : Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes.
• Water vapor (H2O) : Produce by normal Evaporation and Boiling of water. accounts for the largest percentage of the greenhouse effect, between 36% and 66% for clear sky conditions and between 66% and 85% when including clouds
• Ozone (O3) : Its highest concentration high in the ozone layer of the stratosphere, which absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Contribution to warming is 3-4 %. 

India’s Sovereign Credit Rating

Source : The Hindu
GS III : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Why in News?

India’s Sovereign Credit Rating will remain unchanged at the current level of BBB- for the next two years despite the potential adverse impact of the surging pandemic on its economy.

• It was declared by S&P Global.

Key Facts

• The country would witness a slightly faster pace of growth in the next two years, effectively supporting the rating.
• The second wave would not have any major impact on the government’s fiscal position.
• There could be upside pressure on fiscal deficit as revenue generation could be weaker but the government’s debt stock would remain roughly stable at just above 90% of the GDP.

What is Credit Rating ?

• A credit rating is an assessment of the creditworthiness of a borrower with respect to a particular debt or financial obligation.
• A credit rating can be assigned to any entity that seeks to borrow money an individual, a corporation, a state or provincial authority, or a sovereign government.
• It shows the level of risk associated with lending to a particular country since it is applied to all bonds issued by the government.

Credit assessment and evaluation for companies and governments is generally done by a credit rating agency such as S&P Global, Moody’s, or Fitch Ratings.

Sovereign Credit Rating

• A sovereign credit rating is an assessment of a country’s creditworthiness introduced in the early 1900s.
• To evaluate countries rating a country shows that it is willing to make its financial information public to investors.
• For evaluation countries credit rating companies consider factors such as
  • The political environment
  • Economic status
  • Its creditworthiness to assign an appropriate credit rating
• To access funding for development projects in the international bond market.
• They will assign a rating stretching from AAA grade to grade D.
• Why is it Important ?
  • Countries with a good credit rating can attract foreign direct investments.
  • A country with high credit ratings can access funds easily from the international bond market.
  • Besides the lenders know when low sovereign credit rating means that a country faces a high risk of default.
• Sovereign credit risk depends the main factors such as
  • Debt service ratio
  • External debt
  • Import ratio
  • Economic development
  • Growth of domestic money supply
  • Per capita income
  • GDP growth
  • Rate of inflation
  • History of defaults

India’s Sovereign Credit Rating

• Zero sovereign default
  • India is a country with a zero sovereign default history over the last two decades.
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves as of 15 January 2021 were at $584.24 billion compared to its total external debt including that of the private sector at $556.2 billion.
  • Its reserves to debt ratio, which was at 78.4% in 2016-17 rose to 85% in 2019-2020, and appears to have further risen to 105% in 2021.
  • India has done reasonably well in terms of its external sector vulnerability, despite a pandemic.
• A credit rating of AAA is the highest, while BBB- the credit rating assigned to India.
  • It is the lowest among the investment grade bonds.
• Still why India have a low credit Rate ?
  • Government debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been rising and is expected to reach 91% of GDP in FY 2021 from a level of 75% of GDP in FY 2020.
  • Debt is likely to stay at high levels of up to 90% for at least another two years as per estimates.
  • Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Deficit would pose issues of debt sustainability.

Lumpy Skin Disease

Source : Down To Earth
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Why in News?

Lumpy skin disease is spreading across bovines.

Key Facts

• Lumpy skin disease (LSD) a viral illness that causes prolonged morbidity in cattle and buffaloes.
• It appears as nodules of two to five centimetre diameter all over the body, particularly around the head, neck, limbs, udder and genitals.
• The lumps gradually open up like large and deep wounds.
  • In some cases under 10 per cent according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the infected animal succumbs to the disease.
• LSD virus easily spreads by blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes, flies and ticks and through saliva and contaminated water and food.
  • No treatment is available for the disease that is being reported for the first time in India.
• LSD has remained confined to Africa, where it was first discovered in 1929, and parts of West Asia.
  • But in recent years, the disease has spread to territories beyond the endemic areas.
  • In 2015, it made an incursion into the European part of Turkey and Greece.
  • It was found in the Balkan and Caucasian countries and Russia in later years.
  • First found in Bangladesh in July 2019, LSD is spreading across Asia in epidemic proportions.

At least 23 countries in south Asia, east Asia and southeast Asia are now at risk of LSD, which is emerging as a trans-boundary animal disease.

• Spread in India
  • The disease has spread to 15 states.
  • The first outbreak of LSD was reported from Odisha five districts.
  • Studies suggest the virus could have already mutated in the country.
• Impact of the Virus
  • Due to the infectious nature of LSD and its implications on the economy
    • Decreased milk production
    • Abortions and infertility
    • Damaged hides due to cutaneous nodules and fibrous tissue growth cause significant economic losses to farmers.
    • No specific vaccine against LSD is available in India.

Way Forward

Tracing the source of infection plays a critical role in containing the spread of any contagious infection. the government has ensured frequent health check-ups of cattle in all districts. 

In case of death of an animal farmers should bury the carcass deep inside the earth. Quarantine the cattle even at the slightest symptom of the disease.

SpaceX Starship

Source : Indian Express
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Why in News ?

A prototype Starship rocket developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company was able to launch and successfully land marks a new era in space exploration for NASA.

• Four previous prototypes of Starship had failed to do so, getting destroyed during or soon after touchdown at the southeastern tip of Texas.

Key Facts

Space X’s central mission is to make interplanetary travel accessible and affordable and to become the first private company to do so.

• The spacecraft has been described as a game-changer for space travel, being a fully reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars.
• SpaceX’s full-scale, stainless steel, bullet-shaped rocketship.
• About Starship
  • It is a spacecraft and super-heavy booster rocket
  • It is meant to act as a reusable transportation system for crew and cargo to the Earth’s orbit, Moon and Mars.
  • SpaceX has described Starship as “the world’s most powerful launch vehicle”
  • It has an ability to carry over 100 metric tonnes to the Earth’s orbit.
  • The company is working on building a fleet of reusable launch vehicles capable of carrying humans to Mars and other destinations in the solar system.
  • A rapidly reusable space launch vehicle could reduce the cost of travelling to space by a hundredfold.
  • Once developed Starship is also expected to help carry large amounts of cargo to the Moon.
  • It is expected to enter Mars’s atmosphere at a speed of 7.5 km per second and will be designed to withstand multiple entries.
  • Starship will carry the next man and the first woman to land on the Moon in this decade.

NASA Artemis mission and SpaceX

• Artemis programme which plans to send humans to the Moon in this decade.
  • SpaceX won the $2.89 billion contract
• The Artemis programme initiated by the administration of former President Donald Trump planned to do this in 2024 but the plans were postponed because of a shortfall in funding.
• NASA aims to demonstrate new technologies, capabilities and business approaches that will ultimately be needed for the future exploration of Mars.

Regulatory Review Authority

Source : PIB
GS III : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment

Why in News?

An advisory group has been constituted to assist the second Regulatory Review Authority (RRA 2.0) which was constituted by the central bank.

• To streamline regulations and reduce the compliance burden of regulated entities.

Key Facts

• The advisory group will assist the RRA by identifying regulations, guidelines, and returns that can be rationalised.
• The RBI has set up the second Regulatory Review Authority (RRA 2.0) initially for a period of one year from May 01, 2021.
  • With a view to streamline regulations and reduce the compliance burden of regulated entities.
• RRA has constituted the advisory group, representing members from regulated entities, including compliance officers, to support the RRA in achieving the objective set forth in the terms of reference of RRA 2.0.
• Group will assist the RRA by identifying areas, regulations, guidelines, returns which can be rationalised and submit reports periodically to RRA containing the recommendations/suggestions.
• Advisory group has sought feedback and suggestions from all regulated entities, industry bodies, and other stakeholders

Regulatory Review Authority 2.0

• RRA 2.0 will function for a period of one year.
• Regulatory Review Authority, RRA 2.0, to review its regulations internally and in consultation with other stakeholders.
• It follows a similar exercise conducted in 1999-2000.
  • RBI had set up a Regulations Review Authority (RRA) in 1999 for reviewing the regulations, circulars, reporting systems, based on the feedback from the public, banks, and financial institutions.
• Focus on streamlining regulatory instructions and reducing the compliance burden of regulated entities by simplifying procedures and reducing reporting requirements wherever possible.
• Also be tasked with obtaining feedback from regulated entities on simplification of procedures and enhancement of ease of compliance.
• Will examine and suggest the changes required in the dissemination process of RBI circulars and instructions.

Smuggling Of Uranium

Source : Indian Express
GS III : Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Why in News ?

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested two persons with 7 kg natural uranium estimated to be worth around Rs 21 crore.

Key Facts

• Arrest under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 for possessing uranium without licence.
• Factories using uranium as a counterweight in their machines are mandated to contact the Atomic Energy agencies and return the uranium to them.
  • They, however, resort to shortcuts and sell the entire machines along with uranium in scrap.

Uranium and Its Market

• Uranium occurs naturally in low concentrations in soil, rock and water and is commercially extracted from uranium-bearing minerals.
• Though itself radioactive, uranium’s high density makes it effective in halting radiation.
• Its high density also makes it useful as counterweights in aircraft and industrial machinery.
• In India Uranium deposits occur in the Dharwar rocks.
• There are potential buyers in the grey market.

Atomic Energy Act of 1962

• This bill promoted research in atomic energy and extending state ownership over atomic minerals like uranium and thorium.
• Central Government is authorized to manage and control radioactive substances and subsequent plants generating radiation for preventing hazards, securing the safety of the public, ensuring the disposal of the radioactive wastes, and so on.
• Section 4 : Even a person who finds and believes that uranium and thorium could exist and occur in a place in India, he/she must inform the Central Government or the assigned authority about it as soon as possible.
• Section 5 : Empowers the Central Government to stop or provide license for the uranium related mining activity.
  • A term of imprisonment extending up to 1 year, or fine, or both:
• Section 6 : Minerals and materials that uranium constitutes in its natural form cannot be disposed of without the notification or permission of the Central Government

Unique Disability ID and Portal

Source : Indian Express
GS III : Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections

Why in News ?

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) Government of India has issued Gazette notification making it mandatory for all States/UTs to grant certificate of disability through online mode only using UDID portal (Unique Disability ID and Portal).

Key Facts

• Mandates the Central Government to appoint a date making it mandatory for the State/UTauthorities to issue certificate of disability through online mode.
• UDID project is under implementation since 2016.
• Concerned authorities of all States/UTs have been imparted training by DEPwD for working on the UDID portal.
• The States/UTs have been given adequate time to convert to online mode.
• It will ensure complete digitization of certification of disability besides providing a viable mechanism for cross-checking genuineness of the certificate
  • Aims to achieve pan-India validity and simplifying the process for the benefit of Divyangjan.

Central Advisory Board on Disability

• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment was set up in May 2012
• It aims to facilitate empowerment and inclusion of the persons with disabilities.
• Acts as a nodal agency to look after all development agenda of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan).

Unique Disability ID

• Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities project is being implemented with a view of creating a National Database for PwDs, and to issue a Unique Disability Identity Card to each person with disabilities.
• The project will encourage transparency, efficiency and ease of delivering the government benefits to the person with disabilities, but also ensure uniformity.
• Also help in stream lining the tracking of physical and financial progress of beneficiary at all levels of hierarchy of implementation from village level, block level, District level , State level and National level.

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