Current Affairs 15 August 2022 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 15 August 2022 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Ramsar Convention and Indian Sites

Source : PIB
GS III : Environment

What is discussed under Ramsar Convention and Indian Sites?

1. About the Order
2. How it helps

Why in News ?

India adds 11 more wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites to make total 75 Ramsar sites covering an area of 13,26,677 ha in the country in the 75th year of Independence.

Key Facts

• • Tamil Nadu has maximum no. of Ramsar sites (14 nos), followed by UP which has 10 nos. of Ramsar sites.
  • India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
  • Government has added 11 more wetlands to the Ramsar list of wetlands.

Eleven Ramsar Sites Added

1. Tampara Lake:

• • • Tampara Lake is among the most prominent freshwater lakes in the State of Odisha situated in Ganjam district.
    • The depression on the ground gradually filled with rainwater from catchment flow and was called Tamp by the British and subsequently termed Tampra by the locals.
    • The wetland supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48 species of phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes.
    • The wetland is an important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia).
    • With an estimated average fish yield of 12 tonnes per year, the wetland is an important source of livelihood for the local communities.

3. Ansupa Lake

• • • Ansupa Lake is the largest freshwater lake of Odisha situated in Banki sub-division of Cuttack district.
    • The wetland is an oxbow lake formed by River Mahanadi and is spread over an area of 231 ha.
    • The wetland is home to at least 194 species of birds, 61 species of fishes and 26 species of mammals in addition to 244 species of macrophytes.
    • The wetland provides a safe habitat to at least three threatened bird species- Rynchops albicollis (EN), Sterna acuticauda (EN) and Sterna aurantia (VU) and three threatened fish species- Clarias magur (Clariidae) (EN), Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) (VU) and Wallago attu (VU).

3. Hirakud Reservoir

• • • Hirakud Reservoir, the largest earthen dam in Odisha started operating in 1957.
    • Out of the known 54 species of fish from the reservoir, one has been classed as being endangered, six near threatened and 21 fish species of economic importance.
    • Fisheries presently yield a catch of around 480 MT of fish annually and is the mainstay of livelihoods of 7,000 fisher households.
    • Similarly, over 130 bird species have been recorded at this site, out of which 20 species are of high conservation significance.
    • The reservoir is a source of water for producing around 300 MW of hydropower and irrigating 436,000 ha of cultural command area.

4. Yashwant Sagar

• • • Yashwant Sagar is one of the two Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the Indore region as well as one of the most important birding sites in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh.
    • Yashwant Sagar is considered to be a stronghold of the vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India.
    • Due to its vast shallow reed beds, the wetland is considered heaven to a large number of winter migratory birds.

5. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary

• • • Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, locally known as “Chitrangudi Kanmoli” is located in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu.
    • The wetland is a protected area since 1989 and declared as Bird Sanctuary, coming under the jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Ramanathapuram division. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary is an ideal habitat for winter migratory birds.
    • Around 50 birds belonging to 30 families have been reported from the site. Out of these 47 are water birds and 3 terrestrial birds.
    • Notable waterbirds spotted from the site area spot-billed pelican, little egret, grey heron, large egret, open billed stork, purple, and pond herons.

6. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex

• • • Suchindrum Theroor Wetland complex is part of the Suchindrum-Theroor Manakudi Conservation Reserve.
    • It is declared an Important Bird Area and lies at the southern tip of the Central Asian flyway of migratory birds.
    • It was formed for birds’ nesting purposes and it attracts thousands of birds every year.
    • The total population dependent upon Theroor is about 10,500 and 75% of the population’s livelihood hinges on agriculture which in turn is dependent upon the water released from the Theroor tank. This is a man-made, inland Tank and is perennial.
    • Copper plate inscriptions from the 9th century mention Pasumkulam, Venchikulam, Nedumarthukulam, Perumkulam, Elemchikulam and Konadunkulam.
    • Around 250 species of birds have been recorded in the area, of which 53 are migratory, 12 endemic, and 4 threatened.

7. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary

• • • Vaduvur bird sanctuary spreads over an area of 112.638 ha, is a large human-made irrigation tank and shelter for migratory birds.
    • While these irrigation tanks have socio-economic and cultural significance, very little is known of their ecological importance.
    • These tanks have the potential to harbor good populations of resident and wintering water birds but no studies have been done to confirm this.
    • Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii occurred in most of the surveyed tanks.
    • Large concentrations of wintering waterfowl such as Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Garganey Anas querquedula were recorded in tanks.
    • Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary has a diverse habitat including a number of inlets and surrounding irrigated agricultural fields which provides good nesting and foraging habitats for birds. 

8. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary

• • • Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary is a Protected area near Mudukulathur Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. India, declared in 1989.
    • The breeding population of migratory waterbirds arrive here between October and February and include : painted stork, white ibis, black ibis, little egret, great egret.
    • The site qualifies as an IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis breeds here.
    • The wetland exhibits rich biodiversity including many globally near-threatened species like Spot-billed Pelican, Oriental Darter, Oriental white Ibis and Painted Stork and also commonly occurring shore and water birds like greenshank, plovers, stilts and forest birds like bee-eaters, bulbuls, cuckoos, starlings, barbets, etc.
    • They act as breeding, nesting, roosting, foraging, and stopover sites for the birdsThe wetland supports IUCN RedList vulnerable avian species like Sterna aurantia (River Tern).

9. Thane Creek

• • • Thane Creek is located in Maharashtra, India.
    • There are several sources of fresh water to the creek, of which Ulhas River is the largest, followed by many drainage channels from various suburban areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai & Thane.
    • It has been declared as Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.
    • Thane creek is fringed by mangroves on both banks & comprises around 20% of the total Indian mangrove species.
    • The mangrove forest acts as a natural shelter belt & protects the land from cyclones, tidal surges, seawater seepage & intrusions.
    • The area is an important part of the wetland complex of the Central Asian Flyway of the birds and has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
    • Other than 202 avifaunal species, the creek also houses 18 species of fishes, crustaceans & molluscs, 59 species of butterflies, 67 species of Insects, and 35 species of phytoplankton, and 24 species of zooplankton & 23 species of Benthos.

10. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve

• • • Hygam Wetland falls within the River Jhelum basin and plays a significant role as a flood absorption basin, biodiversity conservation site, eco-tourism site, and livelihood security for the local communities.
    • The wetland is located in the Baramulla district.
    • It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

11. Shallbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve

• • • Shallabug Wetland Conservation Reserve is located in the District Srinagar, UT of J&K.
    • Large areas of the wetland dry up between September and March.
    • The area has extensive reedbeds of Phragmites communis and Typha angustata, and rich growth of Nymphaea candida and N. stellata on open water.
    • It serves as an abode to more than four lakh resident and migratory birds of at least 21 species.
    • Shallabugh Wetland provides plethora of ecosystem services, these include fish and fiber, water supply, water purification, climate regulation, flood regulation, recreational opportunities. 

Coastal Regulation Zone

Source : The Hindu
GS III : Environment

What is discussed under Coastal Regulation Zone?

1. About the Order
2. How it helps

Why in News ?

An audit has identified dozens of public and private projects that have breached India’s coastal regulations — beach resorts, ports, roads, a racetrack, and even a jail near an Olive Ridley turtle nesting site.

Key Facts

• • CAG’s audit report on conservation of coastal ecosystems released on Monday.
  • According to the report 14 out of 43 sampled projects had received the environment ministry’s approval without a full analysis of the mandatory EIA.
  • In the 14 projects, the EIA studies had failed to identify key biodiversity in the project areas and did not include mitigation measures to alleviate the risks faced by the biodiversity there.
  • Flagged deficiencies in the Union environment ministry’s project approval mechanisms and lapses by state coastal regulatory authorities that threaten efforts to conserve coastal ecosystems.
  • Also cited instances of marine pollution from a poorly functioning sewage treatment plant in Digha that is releasing polluted water into the sea and from the Veraval fishing harbour in Gujarat that is discharging untreated effluents into the sea.

Projects Violated  Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules

• • Ajail complex near Bangar in Odisha, within the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary that has an Olive Ridley turtle nesting site on the beach, resorts in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), the Vembanad lake region (Kerala), an illegal road in Udupi (Karnataka), and a racetrack in Pattipulam (Tamil Nadu).
  • A 35km coastal road from Princess Flyover to Worli in Mumbai, approved by the environment ministry in 2017, and a Mumbai transharbour sea-link approved in 2015 are among projects that have used outdated baseline data during the environmental impact assessment (EIA).
  • 28 CRZ clearances by the environment ministry between 2015 and 2019, 118 project clearances by state bodies, and 128 CRZ violations reported to states.

Special Economic Zones

Source : The Hindu
GS III : Economy

What is discussed under Special Economic Zones?

• • Special Economic Zones
  • Major Challenges and issues to Special Economic Zones

Why in News

Union Budget this year, the government proposed to replace the existing law governing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with a new legislation to enable states to become partners in ‘Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs’ (DESH).

Special Economic Zones

• • A special economic zone (SEZ) is an area in a country that is subject to different economic regulations than other regions within the same country.
  • Regulations tend to be conducive to and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
  • SEZ is created for rapid economic growth by leveraging tax incentives to attract foreign investment and spark technological advancement.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs), China has been the most successful model in using SEZs to attract foreign capital.

• • Presently, 379 SEZs are notified, out of which 265 are operational.
    • About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states – Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Important Facilities Available to SEZ

• • Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.
  • Duty free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units.
  • External commercial borrowing by SEZ units upto US $ 500 million in a year without any maturity restriction through recognized banking channels.
  • Simplified compliance procedures and documentation with an emphasis on self certification.

Approval mechanism

• • The developer submits the proposal for establishment of SEZ to the concerned State Government.
  • The State Government has to forward the proposal with its recommendation within 45 days from the date of receipt of such proposal to the Board of Approval.
  • The applicant also has the option to submit the proposal directly to the Board of Approval.
  • The Board of Approval has been constituted by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred under the SEZ Act.
  • All the decisions are taken in the Board of Approval by consensus.
  • The Board of Approval has 19 Members.

Major Challenges and issues to Special Economic Zones

• • Lack of flexibility to utilise land in SEZs for different sectors (more than 25,000 hectares).
  • Existence of multiple models of economic zones such as SEZ, coastal economic zone, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, National Investment and Manufacturing Zone, food park and textile park.
  • Under-utilisation of existing capacity.
  • The domestic sales of SEZs face a disadvantage as “they have to pay full customs duty”, as compared to the lower rates with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries due to free-trade agreement (FTA).
  • Lack of support from the state government when it comes to developing effective single-window system for clearances, according to the presentation.
  • Requirement of payment in foreign exchange for services provided by SEZ units to DTA area.

Nature Index 2022

Source : The Hindu
GS II : Education

What is discussed under Nature Index 2022?

1. Key Facts
2. Highlights of Index 2022

Why in News ?

The Nature Index 2022 was recently released. 

Key Facts

• Nature Index is a database that tracks institutions and countries and their scientific output since its introduction in November, 2014.

  

• More than 10,000 institutions are listed in the Nature Index.
• Only articles published in 82 selected high-quality journals are counted.
• Survey for the index was conducted based on research articles published in chemistry, life sciences, physical sciences and earth & environment.
• Rankings were provided on the basis of information secured during April 1, 2021, to march 31, 2022.
• This index is a database of affiliations of author and relationships of institution.
• It records contributions to research articles, published across 82 high-quality natural science journals.
• These journals are selected by an independent group of researchers.
• This database is compiled by Nature Research.
• It provides real-time proxy of high-quality research output.
• It is updated monthly.

Highlights of Nature Index 2022

• In the index, University of Hyderabad has secured first position among Indian Universities while has been placed at 16th position among all institutions in academic sector.
• Hyderabad was ranked first with 72 research papers and a share of 19.46 in academic sector.
• University of Hyderabad is among major higher education institutions in country.
• It was set up in 1974 as a central university through an act of parliament.

79 Lakh Children Under Bal Aadhaar Initiative

Source : PIB
GS II : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

What is discussed under 79 Lakh Children Under Bal Aadhaar Initiative?

1. Key Facts
2. Bal Aadhaar

Why in News ?

The Unique Identification Authority has enrolled more than 79 lakh children in the 0 – 5 age group during the first four months (April – July) of the current financial year.

Key Facts

• • This is part of a renewed effort to reach out to more children in the 0-5 age group under the Bal Aadhaar initiative and help parents and children avail multiple benefits.
  • While 2.64 crore children in the 0-5 age group had Bal Aadhaar by the end of 31 March 2022 this number has increased to 3.43 crore by the end of July 2022.
  • Enrolments of children in the 0-5 age group in states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have already covered more than 70% of the targeted age group.
  • Registration of children (0-5 age group) has also done exceedingly well in several other states and UTs including Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Lakshadweep.

Over all, Aadhaar saturation at present is around 94%. Aadhaar saturation among adults is almost 100%. Aadhaar is now a catalyst of both, ease of living and ease of doing business.

Bal Aadhaar

• • Bal Aadhaar works as a facilitator in availing several welfare benefits, and also works as a digital photo identity for children right from birth.
  • Children in the age group of 0-5 years are issued Bal Aadhaar.
  • Collection of biometric is a key feature in issuing Aadhaar as the same is required to establish uniqueness based on de-duplication of these biometrics.
    • Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years, these biometrics are not collected.
    • Aadhaar enrolment of children in the age group of 0-5 years are carried out based on facial image of the child, and biometric authentication of the parent/guardian (having a valid Aadhaar).
  • A proof of relationship document (preferably birth certificate) is collected at the time of enrolment for Bal Aadhaar.
  • Bal Aadhaar from normal Aadhaar, it is issued in blue colour, with a remark that this is valid till the child attains the age of 5 years.
  • On attaining the age of 5, the child is required to furnish his or her biometrics at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra to complete a process called mandatory biometric update (MBU).
  • The MBU process goes through a de-duplication process.
  • After completion of this process, the child is issued a normal Aadhaar without any change in the Aadhaar number.

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