Daily Currentaffairs: 18 Sept 2020

Tables of contents

1. Solar Cycle

2.Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020 

3. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

4. Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment  

5. Global Initiative to reduce Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme

6. Kosi Rail Mahasetu

7. Living Planet Report 2020

8. Phytoplankton biomass in Bay of Bengal

9. Abraham Accord

1.Solar Cycle

Recently, the scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced their predictions about the new solar cycle, called Solar Cycle 25.

About Solar Cycle

• The Sun’s surface is a very active space and the electrically charged gases on its surface generate areas of powerful magnetic forces, which are called magnetic fields.

• The motion created by the stretched, twisted and tangled magnetic field due to the constant movement of the gases on the Sun’s surface is referred to as solar activity.

• Solar activity varied with the stages of the solar cycle, which lasts on average for a period of 11 years.

• The beginning of a solar cycle is typically characterised by only a few sunspots and is therefore referred to as a solar minimum.

Tracking of Solar Activity

• The scientists track a solar cycle by using sunspots, which are the dark blotches on the Sun.

• The sunspots are associated as the origins for giant explosions such as solar flares that can spew light, energy and solar material into space.

  • A Sunspot is an area on the Sun that appears dark on the surface and is relatively cooler than the surrounding parts.

  • Sunspots are the visible markers of the Sun’s magnetic field, which forms a blanket that protects the solar system from harmful cosmic radiation.

Reasons for tracking Solar Activity

• The charged particles from coronal mass ejections (CMEs) reaching areas near the Earth can trigger intense lightning in the skies referred to as auroras.

• The CMEs are particularly strong as they can interfere with the power grids leading to electricity shortages and power outages.

• The solar flares can have a major effect on radio communications, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) connectivity, power grids and satellites.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory

 

The scientists have developed a new model that can successfully predict seven of the Sun’s biggest flares from the last solar cycle, out of a set of nine with the help of NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory.

 

It is the first mission to be launched for NASA's Living With a Star (LWS) Program launched in 2010.

 

It is a program designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth.

 

SDO is designed to help us understand the Sun's influence on Earth and Near-Earth space by studying the solar atmosphere on small scales of space and time.

Source: The Indian Express

2. Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020

Recently, the Rajya Sabha has passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020.

Key Highlights of Aircraft (Amendment) Bill 2020

• It seeks to provide statutory status to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

  • The DGCA will be empowered to impose penalties for certain violations in addition to increasing the maximum penalty limit to Rs 1 crore from the existing Rs 10 lakh.

  • BCAS will carry out regulatory activities related to civil aviation security.

  • AAIB will look into investigative activities for aircraft accidents.

  • The central government can issue directions to these bodies with respect to their activities in public interest.

• It allow the Ministry of Civil Aviation to review any order passed by the Director General of Civil Aviation and the Director General of Civil Aviation Security, and also direct them to rescind or modify such order.

• The statutory status of these bodies will help in improving India’s aviation safety rank as suggested by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

• It empowers the central government to cancel the licences, certificates or approvals granted to a person if the person contravenes any provisions of the Act.

• It exempts armed forces aircrafts of the country.

Background

• The Aircraft Act of 1934 was enacted to make provisions for the control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft.

• It makes provisions for securing the safety of aircraft operations in India, and for carrying out civil aviation operations as per internationally accepted standards, procedures and practices.

Why Amendments in aircraft law?

• The government has made amendments to the Act to meet the evolving global and Indian aviation scenario.

• The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme and the Universal Security Audit Programme regularly conducts safety and security audits of all countries.

  • It conducts audit of all the signatories of the Chicago Convention to ensure they are carrying out their safety and security oversight functions.

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States also conducts safety audits of countries whose airlines operate to the US under its International Aviation Safety Assessment Programme.

• India, as a signatory, is also subjected to periodic audits by ICAO and the FAA.

• The audits conducted by the ICAO in 2012 and 2015 indicated a need to amend the Aircraft Act to give proper recognition to the regulators under the Act.

• The amendments are necessary to enhance the maximum quantum of fines and to empower the departmental officers to impose financial penalties on individuals or organisations involved in violations of the legal provisions.

Source: The Indian Express

3.Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

Recently, Delhi Police got 10 days’ custody of Umar Khalid, who had been arrested in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Background

• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was first promulgated in 1967 to target secessionist organisations.

• It is considered to be the predecessor of laws such as the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

• It is primarily an anti-terror law which is aimed at “more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities”.

• Under previous arrangement, the UAPA could designate only an organisation as terrorist organisation and not the individuals but the 2019 amendment to Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) provided that an individual can be designated a terrorist.

• The UAPA cases are tried by special courts.

• The Act defines unlawful activity as any action i.e. spoken or written words, signs, or visible representation, which is intended or supports any claim to bring about secession of any part of India or which incites anyone towards secession.

  • It defines unlawful activity which disclaims, questions, disrupts or intends to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.

• The word “disaffection” has not been defined in the law, and finds mention only once.

• Under ordinary criminal law, an individual is entitled to bail by default if the investigating agency fails to file a chargesheet within 90 days but under UAPA, the period of probe and detention of the accused can be extended up to 180 days.

• Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above.

Source: The Indian Express

4.Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment 

Recently, India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct/ Jeddah Amendment (DCOC/JA) as 'Observer'.

• India is looking forward to working together with DCOC/JA member states towards coordinating and contributing to enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

About Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment

• It is a grouping on maritime matters comprising 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East Coast of Africa and Island countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

• The DCOC/JA Member Nations include Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Jordan, Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Maldives, Madagascar, Mozambique, Mauritius, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Somalia, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.

• It is a regional maritime security cooperation agreement established by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2008. 

• It is aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

• The Jeddah Amendment recognizes the important role of the “blue economy” including shipping, seafaring, fisheries and tourism in supporting sustainable economic growth, food security, employment, prosperity and stability.

• The Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct 2017 was signed by 12 of the 17 participating States.

  • The 12 States who signed were: Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Jordan, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania and Yemen.

  • The Amendment has since been signed by Kenya, Somalia and Mauritius as well.

• India has joined Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as Observers to the DCOC/JA.

Source: All India Radio

5.Global Initiative to reduce Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme

Recently, the Environment Ministerial Meeting (EMM) of the G20 countries launched the global initiative to reduce Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme.

About Reduction in Land Degradation and Coral Reef Programme

• It aims to strengthen the implementation of existing frameworks to prevent, halt, and reverse land degradation within G20 member states.

• The Global Coral Reef R&D Accelerator Platform is an innovative action-oriented initiative.

  • It is aimed at creating a global research and development (R&D) program to advance research, innovation and capacity building in all facets of coral reef conservation.

Source: PIB

6.Kosi Rail Mahasetu

Amid the Bihar elections, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the historic Kosi Rail Mahasetu.

About Kosi Rail Mahasetu

• The dedication of the Kosi Rail Mahasetu is a watershed moment in the history of Bihar and the entire region connecting to the North East.

• The Kosi Mega Bridge line project was sanctioned by Government of India during 2003-04.

• It is 1.9 Km long and its construction cost is Rs. 516 Crore.

• It will also enhance the accessibility as well as the nation's capability to transport Army and military-related equipment and materials from the northern part of India to northeastern parts of India.

• In 1887, a meter gauge rail link between Nirmali and Bhaptiahi (Saraigarh) was built by the Bengal North West Railway.

Kosi River

The Koshi or Kosi River drains the northern slopes of the Himalayas in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the southern slopes in Nepal.

The river emerges on the great plain of northern Bihar on its way to the Ganges River.

The Kosi River basin borders the Tsangpo River basin in the north, the Mahananda River basin in the east, the Ganges Basin in the south and the Gandaki River basin in the west.

The eight tributaries are Tamur, Arun, Sun Kosi, Dudh Kosi, Likhu Khola, Tama Koshi, Bhote Koshi and Indravati.

Source: PIB

7.Living Planet Report 2020

Recently, the 13th edition of the Living Planet Report was released.

Key Highlights of Living Planet Report 2020

• It shows an average 68% fall in almost 21,000 wildlife populations between 1970 and 2016.

• The conversion of land for agriculture has caused 70 percent of global biodiversity loss and half of all loss in tree cover.

• 75% of the Earth’s ice-free land surface has already been significantly altered and most of the oceans are polluted, and more than 85% of the area of wetlands has been lost.

• The 94% decline in the LPI for the tropical sub-regions of the Americas is the most striking result observed in any region.

  • The conversion of grasslands, savannahs, forests and wetlands, the overexploitation of species, climate change, and the introduction of alien species are key drivers. 

• The 3,741 monitored populations (representing 944 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fishes) in the Freshwater Living Planet Index have declined by an average of 84%.

India’s performance in the Living Planet Report 2020

• India’s ecological footprint is lower than 1.6 global hectares per person.

  • It is the lowest bracket and is smaller than that of many large countries.

• India’s high population levels make it likely for the country to face a widening ecological deficit even if current per-capita levels of resource consumption remain the same.

• India is a highly biodiverse country, holding over 45,000 species of plants in only 2.4 percent of the world’s land area.

• More than 12 percent of wild mammal species are threatened with extinction in the country.

  • 3 percent of bird species face extinction, with the number increasing every year.

  • More than 19 percent of amphibians are threatened or critically endangered.

About Living Planet Report

• It is a biennial report of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

• Zoological Society of London (ZSL) manages the Living Planet Index in a collaborative partnership with WWF.

• It is a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet.

Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London)

 

It was founded in 1826.

 

It is an international conservation charity working to create a world where wildlife thrives.

 

Source: Living Planet

8.Phytoplankton biomass in Bay of Bengal

Recently, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has discovered phytoplankton biomass in the Bay of Bengal.

• The researchers have discovered way to measure the quantity of chlorophyll-a in the Bay of Bengal in real time.

• The INCOIS scientists processed the satellite data using NASA’s Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Data Analysis System (SeaDAS) software, which detected chlorophyll-a pigment magnitude in the ocean.

Key Highlights

• Chlorophyll-A is a dominant pigment found in phytoplankton cell and present in a few areas of the ocean.

• Phytoplanktons are tiny microscopic plants found in the ocean which are important ecological indicators that regulate life in ocean.

• Phytoplanktons have chlorophyll to capture sunlight, and use photosynthesis to turn it into chemical energy and they consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

• Phytoplanktons contribute to more than half of the oxygen that we breathe and they influence our climate by absorbing human-induced carbon dioxide.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)

 

It was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

 

It is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO).

 

It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community.

Source: Down to Earth

9. Abraham Accord

Recently, Israel, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates signed the Abraham Accord.

About Abraham Accord

• It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years which is mediated the United States.

  • Egypt was the first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979 and Jordon signed a peace pact in 1994.

• The agreement will allow the UAE and Bahrain to establish embassies, exchange ambassadors, cooperate and work together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security.

• It will open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.

Source: The Hindu

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