1. Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli: Nature’s Finest Blue

What is Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock, prized for its vibrant color and semi-precious gemstone status. It has been treasured for thousands of years for its use in jewelry, decorative items, and pigments.

Etymology:

• "Lapis" (Latin) means stone.

• "Lazuli" (Persian – Lazward) means blue.

Composition of Lapis Lazuli:

• The intense blue hue is due to lazurite (25-40%), a rare mineral.

• The exact shade of blue depends on the sulfur content and structure within lazurite.

• Other minerals present:

  • Pyrite – Adds golden flecks and a sparkling effect.

  • Calcite – Reduces the intensity of the blue color.

  • Diopside & Sodalite – Present in smaller quantities.

Where is Lapis Lazuli Found?

• Major sources: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and the United States.

• The highest quality lapis lazuli comes from Badakhshan province, Afghanistan, where it has been mined for over 6,000 years.

Lapis Lazuli in History:

• Ancient India: Imported from Badakhshan as early as 1000 BCE. Lapis lazuli ornaments were found at Indus Valley Civilization sites (Mohenjo-daro & Harappa).

• Ancient Egypt: Used in jewelry and ground into powder for eye makeup.

• Renaissance Europe: Processed into ultramarine, a rare and costly blue pigment used by painters.

2. Farakka Barrage

Farakka Barrage, commissioned in 1975, marks its 50th anniversary in 2025.

About Farakka Barrage

• Location: Built on the Ganga River in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, around 18 km from the Bangladesh border.

• Commissioning: Became operational on April 21, 1975, after 12 years of construction at a cost of ₹130 crores.

• Purpose: Diverts 40,000 cusecs of water into the Farakka Feeder Canal to clear silt from the Bhagirathi-Hooghly River, ensuring smooth navigation for Kolkata Port.

• India-Bangladesh Agreements: Several treaties govern Ganga water-sharing, including the 1977 Farakka Agreement and the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty.

The Hooghly River & Its Significance

• Also called the Bhagirathi-Hooghly or Kati-Ganga River.

• A 260 km-long distributary of the Ganges.

• Formation: In Murshidabad, the Ganga splits—one branch forms the Padma River (flows into Bangladesh), while the other becomes the Hooghly River in West Bengal.

Course & Hydrology

• Above Kolkata: The Hooghly River is prone to heavy siltation.

• Farakka Feeder Canal: Supplies water, especially during dry seasons.

• Tributaries: Haldi, Ajay, Damodar, and Rupnarayan Rivers contribute to the lower Hooghly.

• Major Cities Along Hooghly: Jiaganj, Azimganj, Murshidabad, Baharampur, Kolkata, and Howrah.

Important Bridges

• Howrah Bridge (Cantilever) – Connects Howrah & Kolkata.

• Bally Bridge – Links Bally & Baranagar.

3. Derivatives

On March 10, 2025, IndusInd Bank reported ₹2,100 crore in derivative losses, leading to a 23% drop in its share price.

What are Derivatives?

• Financial contracts whose value depends on an underlying asset, index, or rate.

• Used for hedging risks, speculation, and portfolio diversification.

• Common underlying assets include stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies, interest rates, and market indices.

Exchange-Traded Currency Derivatives (ETCDs)

• Standardized contracts that let investors speculate on future currency exchange rates.

• Traded on stock exchanges, unlike Over-the-Counter (OTC) derivatives, which are privately negotiated.

4. Inner Line Permit (ILP)

Indian Railways May Scrap Projects in Meghalaya Due to Local Opposition

What is the Inner Line Permit (ILP)?

• ILP is a legal travel document issued by state governments to regulate non-resident entry into restricted areas.

• Initially introduced under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR), 1873, it aims to protect indigenous communities from exploitation and cultural erosion.

• Applies to Indian citizens who are not permanent residents of these states.

ILP-Required States in India

Currently, four states mandate ILP for entry:

1. Arunachal Pradesh

2. Nagaland

3. Mizoram

4. Manipur (ILP introduced in 2019)

Legal Framework for ILP

• BEFR, 1873: British-era law restricting outsider movement into tribal areas.

• Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958: Defines "Protected Areas" beyond the Inner Line.

  • Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for access.

• Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963: Declares Andaman & Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim as Restricted Areas.

Current Rail Connectivity in Meghalaya

• Meghalaya has one railway station, Mendipathar (North Garo Hills), operational since 2014.

• Existing Services:

  • Daily passenger trains run between Mendipathar and Guwahati.

  • Freight operations have recently begun.

• Planned Railway Projects (Now Uncertain):

  1. Tetelia-Byrnihat Line

  2. Byrnihat-Shillong Line

  3. Chandranathpur-Jowai Line

5. Urban Heat Island (UHI)

The Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2025 report highlights increasing nighttime heat stress in Hyderabad due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.

What is the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect?

• UHI is a climatic phenomenon where urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions.

• It results from urban development and human activities that alter natural landscapes.

Causes of UHI

1. Loss of Green Spaces: Urbanization reduces trees and vegetation, limiting shade and evapotranspiration (natural cooling).

2. Dense Infrastructure: Concrete and asphalt surfaces absorb and retain more heat than natural land.

3. Urban Layout: Narrow streets and tall buildings trap heat, restricting air circulation.

4. Human Activities: Traffic, air conditioning, and industrial operations emit heat, which is further trapped by greenhouse gases.

Impact of UHI

• Higher nighttime temperatures – Heat absorbed during the day is slowly released at night, reducing cooling effects.

• Temperature difference – Urban areas can be up to 12°C hotter than nearby rural areas.

6. Understanding Anti-Dumping Duty

India has recently imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese products, including vacuum flasks and aluminum foil.

What is Anti-Dumping Duty?

• Anti-dumping duty is a protective tariff levied by a government on foreign imports that are sold below fair market value.

• Dumping occurs when a company exports goods at a significantly lower price than it charges in its domestic market.

• The duty is set to bridge the gap between the import cost and the fair market value of similar products in other markets.

• Its purpose is to shield local industries from unfair foreign competition and restore balanced trade practices.

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) permits the use of anti-dumping duties to ensure fair market competition.

• While designed to support domestic industries, these duties may also lead to higher consumer prices.

• Over time, they can reduce the competitiveness of local businesses by limiting foreign competition.

Regulation in India

• The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry oversees anti-dumping measures.

• The Department of Commerce recommends the duty, while the Ministry of Finance enforces it.

What is Countervailing Duty (CVD)?

• CVD is an import tax imposed to counter the advantages foreign products receive from government subsidies.

• It neutralizes the price advantage of subsidized imports, ensuring fair competition for domestic industries.

• The WTO allows member nations to impose CVD.

7. Key Insights on India's Remittances

The latest India’s Remittances Survey 2023-24 by the RBI reveals that the US, UK, Singapore, Canada, and Australia collectively contributed over 50% of remittances to India.

Highlights of India's Remittance Trends

• India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances, with inflows doubling from $55.6 billion (2010-11) to $118.7 billion (2023-24).

• The US accounted for 27.7% of total remittances, making it the top contributor.

• The UAE ranked second, with its share rising from 18% in 2020-21 to 19.2% in 2023-24.

• The share of remittances from advanced economies (US, UK) has now surpassed Gulf nations in 2023-24.

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain—accounted for 38% of remittances.

State-Wise Remittance Distribution

• Maharashtra received the highest share (20.5% of total remittances).

• Kerala ranked second, followed by Tamil Nadu (10.4%), Telangana (8.1%), and Karnataka (7.7%).

8. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

The Punjab Government, in its affidavit to the Supreme Court (SC), stated that the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary will remain 100 meters for the Nayagaon municipal committee instead of 1-3 km.

About Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located in Chandigarh, near Sukhna Lake, at the foothills of the Shivalik range.

• Sukhna Lake, designed by Le Corbusier in 1958, was created by diverting the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream.

• Established in 1998, covering 2,600 hectares.

• The region is prone to soil erosion during heavy rains due to its sandy soil and clay pockets.

• The sanctuary includes 150 water bodies, forming part of the Sukhna Lake catchment area.

Flora and Fauna

• Flora: Common species include Khair, Kikar, Shisham, Amla, Amaltas, and Vasaka.

• Fauna: Mammals like wild boars, jackals, porcupines, jungle cats, and Indian hares.

• Birds: Peacocks, parrots, doves, hill myna, and migratory birds frequent the region.

9. The Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

Amid escalating tensions with the US, Iran has deployed missile systems on three disputed islands—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa—located near the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Facts About the Strait of Hormuz

• A narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

• Bordered by Iran (north), UAE (south), and Oman (east).

• 167 km long, with a width ranging from 39 km to 95 km.

• Allows passage for large vessels, despite narrowing toward the north.

• Important islands in the strait include Hengam, Hormuz, and Qishm.

• Considered one of the world’s most crucial energy chokepoints.

• Handles 30% of global liquefied gas and 25% of oil shipments.