Daily Current Affairs 02 February 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 02 February 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Blue Economy 2.0

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Economy

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Blue Economy 
3. How Does Blue Economy Benefit India? 

Why in the News?

The Interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (February 1) stressed on environment-friendly development through the promotion of a blue economy.

News in Brief

• For promoting climate resilient activities for blue economy 2.0, a scheme for restoration and adaptation measures, and coastal aquaculture and mariculture with an integrated and multi-sectoral approach will be launched.
• Proposed program in interim Budget 
  • A scheme for restoration and adaptation measures, and coastal aquaculture and mariculture with integrated and multi-sectoral approach will be launched.

About Blue Economy 

Economic activities related to the sea and the coasts 

• According to the European Union 
  • Economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts. 
  •  It covers a wide range of interlinked established and emerging sectors. 
• World Bank About Blue Economy 
  • Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem. 
• Blue Economy seeks to promote economic development while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of ocean resources and the health of marine ecosystems. 
• Recognizes the importance of addressing climate change, reducing marine pollution, and enhancing ocean resilience 

Scope of Blue Economy 

• According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the ocean economy contributed USD 1.5 trillion to the global economy in 2010 and is projected to double by 2030.  
• It encompasses various economic sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, marine renewable energy, maritime transportation, and coastal infrastructure development and other related activities. 

What are the challenges to the blue economy? 

• The potential to develop the blue economy is limited by a series of challenges.  
• For much of human history, aquatic ecosystems have been viewed and treated as limitless resources and largely cost-free repositories of waste. 
  1. Unsustainable extraction from marine resources, such as unsustainable fishing 
  2. Physical alterations and destruction of marine and coastal habitats and landscapes 
  3. Marine pollution 
  4. Impacts of climate change 

Sustainable Activities in Blue Economy 

• Harvesting and trade of marine living resources 
• Extraction and use of marine nonliving resources (non-renewable) 
• Use of renewable non-exhaustible natural forces (wind, wave, and tidal energy) 
• Commerce and trade in and around the oceans 
• Indirect contribution to economic activities and environments like carbon sequestration, coastal protection activities so on. 

How Does Blue Economy Benefit India? 

• India, with a long coastline, diversity in terms of fish and other ocean produce, and multiple tourism opportunities, blue economy is highly significant. 
• Announced the setting up of five integrated aquaparks. 
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) would be stepped up to “enhance aquaculture productivity from the existing three to five tonnes per hectare. 
  • Double exports to Rs 1 lakh crore 
  • Generate 55 lakh employment opportunities shortly. 
• With some 7,500 kilometres, India has a unique maritime position. 
• There are nearly 199 ports, including 12 major ports that handle approximately 1,400 million tons of cargo each year. 
• Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million square kilometres. 

Blue Economy Draft Policy Framework  

• A draft policy framework on India’s Blue Economy was first released in July 2022. 
• The policy document contained key recommendations on the National Accounting Framework for Blue Economy and Ocean Governance,  
• Also recommendations for Coastal Marine Spatial Planning and Tourism Priority, Marine Fisheries, Aquaculture and Fish Processing. Manufacturing, Emerging Industries, Trade, Technology, Services and Skill Development, Logistics, Infrastructure and Shipping, Coastal and Deep-Sea Mining and Offshore Energy and Security, Strategic Dimensions and International Engagement. 
• A National Blue Economy Advisory Council has been proposed to be set up.  
  • It will have the secretaries of relevant ministries and departments as members 
  • Include chief secretaries/principal secretaries of the coastal states and representatives from industry.

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023

Source: PIB
GS II: Governance

Overview

1. About Corruption Perceptions Index 
2. India in the Report 
3. India’s Neighbouring Nations 
4. Worldwide Rankings 

Why in the News?

2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released recently.

About Corruption Perceptions Index 

• According to the CPI, the scores reflect the views of experts and business people.  
• The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. 
• The scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). 

India in the Report 

• There was no change in India’s score. 
• It remained at 85th position. 
• The report raised concern over the country’s democratic status. 
• Earlier in 2021, India’s rank improved by one place to 85 from 86th in 2020, according to the index.  
• Except for Bhutan, all of India’s neighbours are ranked below it. 
• India detained more and more human rights defenders and journalists under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). 

India’s Neighbouring Nations 

• Pakistan is ranked 120 out of 180 countries, in 2020 it was 124, and it worsened further to 140 last year.  
• Sri Lanka ranks 115 showing debt burden and political instability. 
• China ranked 76 has made headlines with its aggressive anti-corruption. 
• Both Myanmar and Afghanistan stand at 162. 
• Bangladesh ranks at 149 and emerges from the least developed country (LDC) status.

Worldwide Rankings 

• Over two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100,  
• This strongly indicates that they have serious corruption problems. 
• Over two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100. 
• This strongly indicates that they have serious corruption problems.  
• The global average is stuck at only 43. 
• The global trend of weakening justice systems is reducing accountability for public officials, which allows corruption to thrive. 
• Denmark (90), Finland, New Zealand (87) and Norway (87) topped the list.  
• Somalia, Syria, and South Sudan are at the bottom. 
• In the Asian region, Singapore ranked at the top, scoring 83. 

Martand Sun Temple

Source: National Herald
GS I: Art and Culture

Overview

1. About Martand sun temple

Why in the News?

ASI Protocols,a Group Of Hindus Storm Into Martand Sun Temple, Hoist Saffron Flag & Perform Parikrama.

About Martand sun temple

• The Martand Sun Temple is also known as Pandou Laidan.
• It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Surya (the chief solar deity in Hinduism).
• The temple fostered cultural and architectural richness and now it stands as an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected monument.
• It was built during the 8th century CE.
• It was built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota Dynasty 1200 years ago.
• Martand is another Sanskrit synonym for Surya. (Indian temple architecture ‘Devayatanam’)
• The temple is a fine example of Kashmiri architecture and is renowned for its grandeur and artistic excellence.
• It reflects a blend of Greek, Roman, Iranian, and Indian architectural styles.
• The main shrine, dedicated to the Sun God, was originally surrounded by 84 smaller shrines.
• It stands in the middle of a large courtyard with 86 fluted columns.
• The courtyard is connected to the main shrine, where Sun God’s idol was installed.
• Its temple includes mighty grey stone walls, a three-chambered structure with distinct carvings.

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