20 Dec 2024 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CDS, CAPF, NDA & SSB

1. Sacred Groves

The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to formulate a comprehensive policy for managing sacred groves across the country.

What Are Sacred Groves?

Sacred Groves are small patches of forests or natural vegetation that are protected by local communities due to their religious and cultural significance. These areas are often dedicated to local deities and serve as both ecological sanctuaries and sites of spiritual reverence.

They act as repositories of biodiversity, sheltering rare plant and animal species.
Hunting and deforestation are usually prohibited, while sustainable activities such as honey collection or gathering deadwood are permitted.

Sacred Groves in India:

Sacred groves are scattered across India but are particularly found in regions like:

The Western Ghats
The Himalayas
The northeastern hill tracts
Central India

Regional Names for Sacred Groves:

Sarna in Bihar
Dev Van in Himachal Pradesh
Devarakadu in Karnataka
Kavu or Sarpa Kavu in Kerala
Devrai or Deorai in Maharashtra
Law Kyntang or Asong Khosi in Meghalaya
Oran in Rajasthan

Examples of Success:
- Piplantri Village, Rajasthan: Known for planting 111 trees for every girl child born. This initiative has enhanced local income, reduced female foeticide, and empowered women’s self-help groups.

Source : Formulate policy to manage sacred groves, Supreme Court tells government

2. Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

All 17,130 police stations across India are now linked through the CCTNS platform.

About CCTNS:

It is a centralized online platform conceptualized under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Launched in 2009 with a budget of ₹2,000 crore, it is part of India’s National e-Governance Plan.
It aims to establish a comprehensive and integrated system to enhance the efficiency and transparency of police operations at the police station level.
Classified as a Mission Mode Project (MMP), the system provides law enforcement with tools for investigation, data analytics, policymaking, and delivering citizen-centric services.

Key Features of CCTNS:

Nationwide integration: It connects all 17,130 police stations across 28 states and 8 Union Territories. Recently achieved 100% deployment, including in remote areas like Manipur, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep.
Comprehensive crime database: Stores records of accused persons, habitual offenders, proclaimed offenders, and crime-related data such as missing persons and stolen vehicles.
Analytical tools: Generates crime statistics and detailed reports for analysis at the police station level.
Citizen services: Enables tracking of complaints, verification requests, and case updates, making police processes more accessible.
Enhanced scope: Integrated with the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), connecting police data with courts, prisons, prosecution, forensics, and fingerprint databases.

Key Modifications Under New Criminal Laws:

CCTNS plays a pivotal role in implementing the new criminal laws introduced on July 1, 2024:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (replaces Indian Penal Code, 1860).
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (replaces Indian Evidence Act, 1872).
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (replaces Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898).
Key updates include:
- Mandatory videography: Crime scene videography and forensic evidence collection in cases punishable by over seven years.
- Forensic investigations: Biological samples collected upon request of investigating officers.
- Arrest transparency:
  - Senior officer approval required for arrests in specific cases.
  - Arrest information communicated to relatives and displayed publicly.
- Case monitoring: Victims updated on investigation progress within 90 days.
- Digital reporting: Daily diaries sent to magistrates fortnightly.

About National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):

Established: 1986, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Purpose: Acts as the central repository for crime and criminal data in India.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Responsible for:

Collecting and analyzing crime statistics.
Managing the Central Finger Print Bureau, which maintains a national database of fingerprints.
Publishing key reports like Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and Prison Statistics.
Providing technical support in areas like Digital Forensics and Network Security.

Source : All 17,130 police stations in the country linked through centralised online platform

3. Jungle Fowl

Recently, a controversy has arisen regarding the alleged consumption of 'Jungli Murga' (Grey Junglefowl) by the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.

About the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus):

The Red Junglefowl is a tropical pheasant species and the wild ancestor of the domestic chicken, making it vital for understanding avian domestication.
It is native to India, Indo-China, Malaysia, and surrounding regions.
IUCN Status:

Category: Least Concern
Reasons:

Wide distribution: Found across a large geographical range.
Stable population: Declines are not rapid enough to meet the criteria for vulnerability.

Habitat: It is found in diverse habitats like primeval forests, dry scrublands, and secondary growth woodlands.

Despite being listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, the species faces threats from habitat loss and hybridization with domestic chickens.

Threats:

Hybridization: Feral domestic chickens and intermediate subspecies threaten the genetic purity of wild populations.
Lack of Awareness: Insufficient education on the importance of preserving pure populations of the Red Junglefowl.

About Grey Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii):

It is the closely related species of the Red Junglefowl.
Males are grayish with golden markings on the wings, whitish spotting around the neck, a long glossy-black tail, pinkish feet. Red comb and wattle are smaller than the widespread Red Junglefowl.
Females are rather plain, lacking the long tail, comb and wattle; yellowish legs and bold white spotting on underparts separate them from similar looking female Red Junglefowl.
It is endemic to peninsular India
It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing it with the highest level of legal protection.

Hunting or consuming this species is a criminal offence, punishable under the Act.

Source : ‘Jungli Murga’ on HP CM’s dinner menu? Police file case of defamation, fake news

4. Tuberculosis

The Government of India recently launched a 100-day tuberculosis (TB) campaign, focusing on active screening in 347 high-risk districts. In its first week, the campaign detected 6,267 new TB cases.

Understanding Tuberculosis (TB):

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs.
TB is a curable and preventable disease if detected early and treated appropriately.
There are two types of TB infections:

Latent TB: In this state, the bacteria remain inactive in the body and cause no symptoms. It is not contagious but can become active.
Active TB: In this condition, the bacteria cause symptoms and can be transmitted to others.

Globally, one-quarter of the population is estimated to have latent TB.
Individuals infected with TB bacteria have a 5-15% lifetime risk of developing the disease.
People with compromised immune systems—such as those with HIV, malnutrition, diabetes, or those who use tobacco—have a significantly higher risk of falling ill with TB.

Transmission of Tuberculosis:

TB spreads from person to person through the air.
When a person with lung TB coughs, sneezes, or spits, TB bacteria are released into the air.
Even inhaling a few droplets of contaminated air can cause an infection.

Key Facts and Objectives of the Campaign:

Over 5 lakh individuals have been actively screened through health and wellness centres and 850 mobile testing vans.

Target population: The campaign targets 25 crore vulnerable individuals, including:

Family members of TB patients.
People with conditions like diabetes, HIV, or those who smoke or drink excessively.
Individuals with BMI below 18.5 or who had TB in the past.

Screening and diagnostic efforts: Camps are organized at health and wellness centers supported by 850 mobile testing vans.

Screening focuses on symptoms like persistent cough (15+ days), fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, breathlessness, chest pain, and blood in sputum.

Reduction in missing cases: Missing TB cases (the gap between estimated and detected cases) have been reduced from 15 lakh to 2.5 lakh, according to the Health Ministry.

Focus on High-Risk Groups and Areas:

Targeted Demographics: Groups include students, youth, corporate employees, and laborers in brick kilns, mines, construction sites, tea gardens, and more.
High-risk districts: 347 districts include 38 tribal areas, 27 mining zones, and 47 aspirational districts. States with the highest number of districts in the campaign: Karnataka (31), Maharashtra (30), and Madhya Pradesh (23).

Source : 100-day campaign: 16,000 TB cases detected, 5 lakh screened | India News

5. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Recently, Madhya Pradesh aims to create a suitable habitat for cheetahs in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 2,500 sq. km of landscape spanning Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location: It is situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border and lies within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
Key features:
- Declared a sanctuary in 1974, covering an area of 368 sq. km.
- The Chambal River flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
- It is a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
Topography and Vegetation: The sanctuary includes hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam. Vegetation types:
- Northern tropical dry deciduous forest.
- Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest.
- Dry deciduous scrub.
Principal tree species: Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, and Palash.
Fauna:
- Herbivores: Chinkara, Nilgai, and Spotted Deer.
- Carnivores: Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena, and Jackal.
- Aquatic species include crocodiles, fish, otters, and turtles.
Historical and Cultural Importance: The sanctuary houses sites of historical and archaeological significance, such as Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath Temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Hinglajgarh Fort and Taxakeshwar Temple.

Source : Madhya Pradesh plans a new home for cheetahs, but leopards will have to move out first | India News

6. Milkweed fiber

The Union Ministry of Textiles is encouraging by extending its research and development efforts into new natural fibers, including milkweed fiber.

About Milkweed fiber:

It is the seed fiber obtained from milkweed plant.
- Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) plant belongs to the genus Asclepias of the family Asclepiadaceae and is also known as stubborn weed.
- In India, it is found as a wild plant in the Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Milkweed contains an abundance of milk sap in its leaves, stems and pods.
Properties of Milkweed fiber: It contains oily material and lignin, a woody plant substance, which makes them too brittle for spinning. It has a hydrophobic–oleophobic surface due to the natural waxes found on the surface of the fiber.
Applications:
- It is used in paper industries.
- In addition, it is also used as an insulative filling material.
- It is used in such water-safety equipment as life jackets and belts.
- Researchers discovered that it readily absorbs oil while simultaneously repelling water, thus making it an effective fiber to help clean up oil spills.

Source : Milkweed fiber is the buzz word coming to sustainability and Textile Ministry marching along with the symphony of sustainability & traceability: Giriraj Singh

7. Himalayan Birch Tree

According to new research, climate change is altering Himalayan tree landscape where drought-resistant fir trees are replacing the Himalayan birch Trees.

About Himalayan Birch Tree:

It is a deciduous broadleaved species that dominates the Himalayan region.
Distribution:It is widely distributed in the altitudinal range from 3100 - 3800m in North-western Himalaya.
It is native to the Western Himalayasand grows at elevations of up to 4,500 metres
Features:
- It has a high freezing tolerance potential, allowing it to form a treeline in the Himalayan region.
- It is a long-lived species which can survive up to 400 years and the only angiosperm in the Himalaya which dominates an extensive area at sub - alpine altitudes.
Ecological significance: It contributes to the preservation of the Himalayan ecosystem by reducing soil erosion and creating a bio-shield for the remaining forests and sub-alpine meadows below the treeline.

Highlights of the research:

Birch trees are struggling to grow due to stress from increased temperatures and lack of moisture.
Birch tree which need more moisture, are growing less due to heat-related dryness.
Fir and birch compete for space, sunlight, water and nutrients, making it even harder for birch to grow.
Climate change-driven disturbances such as early snowmelt, snow fungi, avalanches, landslides, insect outbreaks, hotter droughts and fires will further hinder the recruitment of less resilient species like birch.
Impact on environment: The shift of dominant plant functional types from deciduous to evergreen may also alter ecological functions such as the rate of litter decomposition, carbon and nitrogen cycling, water-use efficiency, interactions with animals and fungi and energy fluxes, with further impacts on the composition of alpine plant communities

Source : Climate change is altering Himalayan tree landscape — drought-resistant fir trees are replacing birch

8. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics

Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) initiates “detailed examination” after official trade figures showed that India’s gold imports in November surged threefold to an all-time high of $14.8 billion compared to the previous year.

About Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI & S):

It is the premier organization of Government of India for collection, compilation and dissemination of India’s trade statistics and commercial information.
History:
- The Organization traces its origin to a statistical branch established in the Finance Department of the Government of India way back in 1862.
- Sir William W. Hunter was the first DG of the DGCI & S or the Director General of Statistics as he was designated, back in 1871.
Functions:
- It is entrusted with the work of collecting, compiling and publishing/disseminating trade statistics and various types of commercial information required by the policy makers, researchers, importers, exporters, traders as well as overseas buyers.
- It is the first large scale data processing organization functioning as a nodal agency for Export & Import data in the country.
- It also compiles and publishes the inland Trade Statistics covering inter-State movements of goods by rail, river and air on yearly basis.
It is headed by the Director General, an Additional Secretary level officer of Indian Statistical Services (ISS).
Nodal Ministry: It works under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Headquarter:Kolkata

Source : Government to reexamine ‘unusual’ gold import surge amid indications of double-counting

9. Ganges River Dolphin

Recently, a team of wildlife conservationists tagged the almost-blind Ganges River dolphin for the first time.

About Ganges River dolphin:

It is a freshwater species and one of the few river dolphins found in the world.
Habitat: It is mainly found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
Other names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, Hihu, Side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin, etc.
It serves as an umbrella species for the river systems and it has been recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
Appearance: It has a long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin.
Features:
- They can only live in freshwater and is essentially blind. They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey.
- They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
- Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly referred to as the 'Susu'.
Conservation status:
- IUCN: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule-I

Facts about tagging Ganges River dolphin:

It is initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and executed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak.
Working: The lightweight tags emit signals compatible with Argos satellite systems even with limited surfacing time and are designed to minimize interference with dolphin movement.
Funding: This project is funded by the National CAMPA Authority.
Significance: The tagging under Project Dolphin is expected to help understand the dolphin’s seasonal and migratory patterns, range, distribution, and habitat utilisation, particularly in fragmented or disturbed river systems.

Source : India Conducts First-ever Ganges River Dolphin Tagging in Assam

10. Kisan Kavach

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology unveiled Kisan Kavach.

About Kisan Kavach:

It is first-of-its-kind anti-pesticide bodysuit designed to protect farmers from the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.
The suit is intended to protect farm labourers from imbibing the pesticides they spray. Several of the common pesticides are potential neurotoxins and detrimental to health.
It is developed by the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC-inStem), Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Pvt. Ltd.
Features:
- The kit consists of a trouser, pullover, and a face-cover made of ‘oxime fabric’ that can chemically breakdown any of the common pesticides that get sprayed onto cloth or body during spraying operations.
- This prevents chemicals from leaching into the skin. The price per kit is ₹4,000.
- Working: This Kisan Kavach fabric can deactivate pesticides upon contact through nucleophilic mediated hydrolysis, thereby preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality.
- The kit retains its potency in a wide temperature range, under UV-light exposure and was protective even after 150 washes.

Source : Scientists develop ‘kisan kavach’ to shield farmers from pesticide sprays

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