UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Mycoremediation:Its Uses in India

Apr 24, 2024

1. What is mycoremediation? Answer: Mycoremediation is the process of using fungi to break down or remove toxic substances from the environment. This method harnesses the natural abilities of fungi to degrade complex organic compounds and pollutants in soil or water. 2. How does mycoremediation work? Answer: Fungi, particularly the mycelium—the veget... Read More...

Somalaya Mountains: Nature's Majesty

Apr 24, 2024

1. What are the Somalaya Mountains? Answer: The Somalaya Mountains are a hypothetical future mountain range predicted by geologists to form over the next 200 million years if Somalia breaks off from Africa and collides with India. This prediction is part of a thought experiment aimed at understanding the processes of mountain building and plate tectonics. 2. Why study paleogeography? Read More...

Understanding Light Pollution: Impacts and Initiatives

Apr 24, 2024

It is an increasingly critical environmental issue that affects both human health and wildlife, impairing our ability to observe celestial phenomena and disrupting natural ecosystems. Here’s an explanation of light pollution, its impacts, and specific examples and initiatives from India: ► What is Light Pollution? Light pollution refers to the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light. Key components include: Sky ... Read More...

Conservation of Marine Species in India

Apr 24, 2024

1. What are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and how many has India established? Answer: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated regions in marine environments where human activities are managed to protect the natural or cultural resources. India has established 130 MPAs across its coastal states and islands to conserve marine species and habitats. 2. What are Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas... Read More...

Mineral Sector Reforms and Atomic Minerals

Apr 24, 2024

1. What are atomic minerals and what is the significance of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act? Answer: Atomic minerals are those that are primarily used for nuclear energy production and include elements like uranium and thorium, which are key for nuclear power and weapons manufacturing. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act) is the primary regulatory framework governing the mineral and mining sector in India. It outlines the rules and procedur... Read More...

Deep-seated minerals

Apr 24, 2024

What are deep-seated minerals? Answer: Deep-seated minerals refer to mineral deposits located deep within the Earth's crust, unlike surficial minerals that are found near the surface. Common examples include gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, cobalt, platinum group minerals, and diamonds. Why is it difficult and expensive to explore and mine deep-seated minerals? ... Read More...

Mines & Minerals Act 2023: Exploration Licence (EL)

Apr 24, 2024

What is an Exploration Licence (EL)? Answer: An Exploration Licence (EL) is a new type of mineral concession introduced in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023. It allows the holder to conduct reconnaissance and prospecting operations specifically for critical and deep-seated minerals. This license is granted through an auction process and is focused on a pre-defined list of minerals critical to various high-tech and strategic industries. Read More...

Cleanup Efforts on Mount Everest

Apr 24, 2024

1. What is the waste problem on Mount Everest? Mount Everest faces a significant waste problem due to the accumulation of trash left by climbers and expeditions. This includes used oxygen cylinders, human waste, plastic, and even the remains of deceased climbers, which have not only marred the mountain's natural beauty but also pose environmental and health risks. 2. How much waste is currently on Mount Everest? Read More...

Mining Sector Reforms in India: What, Why, and Significance

Apr 24, 2024

The Indian government has recognized the critical importance of minerals to the country's economic development and national security. This recognition has spurred a series of significant reforms in the mining sector in 2023, particularly aimed at increasing exploration and mining of critical minerals. These reforms are essential not only for economic growth but also for ensuring India's transition to clean energy and achieving its net-zero emissions goal by 2070. ► What are the reforms?... Read More...

India and the Bonn Challenge

Apr 24, 2024

What is the Bonn Challenge? The Bonn Challenge was launched in 2011.It is a global initiative aimed at restoring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030. It seeks to enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and support sustainable development through forest and landscape restoration. What commitment has India made to the Bonn Challenge... Read More...

LDN: UNCCD's Strategy for Sustainable Land Use

Apr 23, 2024

What is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)? Land Degradation Neutrality is a state in which the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified time and geography and ecosystems. Why is LDN important? LDN is crucial because it aims to halt the ongoing loss of productive land by balanc... Read More...

India: Combating Land Degradation and Desertification

Apr 23, 2024

What national goals does the National Forest Policy (NFP) of 1988 set? The National Forest Policy of 1988 aims for a minimum of one-third of India's total land area to be covered by forest or tree cover. This goal supports the broader objectives of environmental stability, maintenance of ecological balance, and conservation of natural heritage. What are some of the major schemes implemente... Read More...

The Changwon Initiative: Combatting Land Degradation

Apr 23, 2024

It emerged as a significant outcome from the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP10) held in Changwon, South Korea: What is the Changwon Initiative? The Changwon Initiative is a strategic framework established to support the global target of achieving "zero net land degradation." It focuses on transforming the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) into practical actions and measurable outcomes to stabilize the quantity ... Read More...

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Apr 23, 2024

What is the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration? The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, running from 2021 to 2030, is a global initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Its goal is to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. This initiative covers both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and aims to massively scale up restoration efforts globally. Read More...

LARGEST DESERTS IN THE WORLD

Apr 23, 2024

Deserts, defined by their extremely low precipitation (less than 10 inches or 250 millimeters annually), vary from the subtropical with mild winters and hot summers to polar regions characterized by cool summers and very cold winters. Below is a list of the ten largest deserts in the world, showcasing a diverse range of climates and geographical features: Antarctica - 5,500,000 square miles (14,000,000 square kilometers): As the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, it is mostly covered by ice and hosts minimal human habitation. Arctic Desert - 5,400,000 sq... Read More...