Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 5th May 2025

Palamu Tiger Reserve : In News

Years of efforts by Jharkhand forest officials have finally paid off, with Jaigir, located inside the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), becoming the first village to be entirely relocated outside the core area.

• Palamu Tiger Reserve is located in the western part of the Chotanagpur plateau and is spread over two districts, viz, Latehar and Garhwa in Jharkhand.
• The reserve forms a part of the Betla National Park.
• This tiger reserve has a total area of 1,014 sq.km. with a core area of 414 sq.km. and a buffer area of 600 sq.km.
• It is one of the first 9 tiger reserves created in the country at the inception of ‘Project Tiger’.
• It is the first reserve in the world in which a tiger census was carried out as a pugmark count, as early as 1932 under the supervision of J.W. Nicholson.
• The herbarium recently prepared by the Tiger Reserve authorities records a good number of medicinal plants.
• Some keystone and principal species found in the reserve include Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Grey wolf, Wild dog, Gaur, Sloth bear and four horned antelope.

Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate : Increased Cardiovascular Mortality

A recent study in The Lancet eBioMedicine found a strong correlation between exposure to Di-2-ethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) and increased cardiovascular mortality, especially in the 55–64 age group.

• Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a synthetic chemical primarily used as a plasticiser, meaning it is added to plastics to make them more flexible, durable, and resistant to breaking.
• DEHP is a colourless, oily liquid with little to no odour, and is soluble in oils but not in water. It is widely used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics.
• Alternate names for DEHP include Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (BEHP), often found in industrial and consumer products.
• DEHP is prevalent in everyday items, such as food packaging materials, medical devices (like IV tubes), toys, shampoos, lotions, and vinyl flooring, making human exposure widespread and continuous.
• In 2018, exposure to DEHP was linked to around 356,238 global deaths in that age group, accounting for over 13% of global cardiovascular deaths for individuals aged 55–64.
• India accounted for the highest number of DEHP-related cardiovascular deaths globally, with an estimated 103,587 deaths, nearly one-third of the global burden.
• DEHP is known to cause inflammation in coronary arteries, thereby increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes over time.
• Apart from cardiovascular issues, DEHP exposure is associated with multiple health disorders, including:
  • Obesity and Type 2 diabetes
  • Hormonal disruptions and infertility
  • Increased risk of certain cancers
  • Premature birth and developmental disorders in infants
• About 75% of the global DEHP-related deaths occurred in regions like Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, highlighting the disproportionate burden on developing countries.

Vizhinjam Port : Formally Open

The Prime Minister of India will formally open the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major step in putting the southern state on the global maritime map.

• Vizhinjam Port is located at Vizhinjam, a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala.
• It is India’s first dedicated transshipment port and also the country’s first semi-automated port.
• Built at a cost of around Rs 8,900 crore under public-private partnership (PPP) mode, the transshipment port is operated by the Adani Group, with the Kerala government holding the majority stake.
• The breakwater at Vizhinjam is the deepest in India and stretches nearly three kilometres.
• It has a natural draft of around 20 metres.
• It also features India’s first home-built, AI-powered Vessel Traffic Management System, developed with IIT Madras.
• It is equipped with fully automated yard cranes and remotely operated ship-to-shore cranes for faster and safer operations.
• Unlike most Indian ports, Vizhinjam experiences minimal sand movement along the coast (littoral drift), which reduces maintenance costs.
• Vizhinjam’s strategic location—just 10 nautical miles from a key international shipping route—and naturally deep waters make it ideal for accommodating large container vessels.
• Until now, 75% of India’s transshipment traffic was handled abroad, leading to foreign exchange losses. Vizhinjam aims to change that by reclaiming a substantial share of this traffic.
• The port now shares routes with global hubs like Shanghai, Singapore, and Busan (South Korea).
• Plans are also underway to turn Vizhinjam into a multi-modal logistics hub, with direct highway connectivity via NH-66, Kerala’s first cloverleaf interchange, and an upcoming railway link to the national network.

Sandy Cay Reef : Dispute Between China And The Philippines

The Sandy Cay reef dispute between China and the Philippines has sparked renewed tensions, with both claiming sovereignty amid growing militarization.

• Tensions rose as US and Philippine forces conducted Balikatan war drills, which China has condemned as provocative.
• Sandy Cay lies near Pag-asa Island (Thitu) in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea (SCS). Tiexian Reef is a part of Sandy Cay.
• The reef is claimed by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
• It refers to ongoing territorial conflicts over the sovereignty of various islands, reefs, and maritime zones in SCS.
• China claims most of the South China Sea through the “Nine-Dash Line,” using island-building and naval patrols to assert control.
• It is a U-shaped line on Chinese maps covering nearly 90% of the South China Sea.

Teak (Tectona grandis):

Tissue-cultured teak is being promoted as a high-yield, fast-return solution to boost India’s timber cultivation and trade, raising debates about its productivity, economic viability, and ecological sustainability.

• Teak (Tectona grandis) is globally valued for its durability, strength, and resistance to pests and water, earning it the title of “king of timbers”.
• It is one of the world’s most valuable tropical hardwoods, extensively used in shipbuilding, construction, furniture, flooring, and musical instruments.
• India holds 35% of the world’s planted teak forests, with Asia accounting for over 95% of global teak resources.
• As per the FAO Global Teak Resources and Market Assessment 2022, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have the largest areas of native teak forests.
• It is native to South and Southeast Asia, especially India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Indonesia.
• In India, teak is found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Northeast region.
• It grows primarily in moist deciduous and mixed deciduous forests.
• It prefers well-drained soils and full sunlight. It can grow up to 30–40 meters in height and live for hundreds of years.

World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit 2025:

WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit) 2025, being held in Mumbai, has facilitated over ₹250 crore worth of media and entertainment deals in just 1.5 days and announced several landmark international collaborations.

• WAVES (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit) is a initiative by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) connects content creators with investors, buyers, and collaborators from around the world, aiming to position India as a strategic hub for content commerce.
• Key Objectives is to
  • Facilitate cross-border collaboration in media and entertainment.
  • Promote India as a global media market for film, OTT, VFX, animation, and music.
  • Provide a launchpad for emerging creators to engage directly with global players.
  • Enable structured B2B transactions and content deals.

Western Disturbance:

A strong Western Disturbance triggered heavy rainfall and storms across Delhi, North and South India, causing floods, hail, and airport disruption.

• Recent studies show climate change is altering the frequency, intensity, and seasonality of Western Disturbances, impacting India’s weather unpredictably.
• Western Disturbances (WDs) are eastward-moving extra-tropical cyclones that bring rain and snow to northern India, particularly in winter.
• They originate over the Mediterranean, Caspian, and Black Seas, picking up moisture before reaching the Indian subcontinent.
• WDs form due to interactions between polar and tropical air masses and travel along the subtropical westerly jet stream over the Himalayas.
• These systems are embedded in high-altitude winds and often accompanied by low-pressure areas.

Non-Contact Wearable Device:

A new non-contact wearable developed by researchers from the U.S. and South Korea can monitor health by measuring skin flux without direct contact.A small, smartphone-sized wearable device that tracks molecular flux through skin—measuring outward vapour and inward chemical entry—without touching the skin. Developed by a team led by Prof. John A. Rogers at Northwestern University, USA. Contains a sealed chamber adjacent to the skin, forming a microclimate. Equipped with wireless electronics and miniature sensors to measure: Water vapour, Carbon dioxide (CO₂), and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A remote-controlled valve regulates the chamber’s openness, allowing comparative flux measurements between closed and open states.

Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha arrived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:

Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha are revered physical remains or personal items associated with Gautama Buddha, preserved and venerated by followers across the world.They symbolize Buddha’s teachings, spiritual enlightenment, and serve as focal points of devotion and pilgrimage.They are preserved and curated by the National Museum of India. Supported by the Ministry of Culture and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).

RBI’s Gold Reserves Soar with 57.5 Tonne Purchase in FY25:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) added 57.5 tonnes of gold to its reserves in FY25, the second-highest annual addition since it began accumulating gold in 2017. This comes amid a dramatic surge in gold prices, driven by global uncertainties, geopolitical risks, and weakening of the US dollar.The RBI’s gold purchase has gained attention due to Rising gold prices crossing ₹1 lakh per 10 grams in April 2025. A sharp 30% annual rise in gold rates, influenced by global market volatility, tariff wars, and US dollar weakness. RBI purchased 57.5 tonnes of gold in FY25, second only to a previous high since 2017. Total gold reserves as of March 2025: 879.6 tonnes, up from 822.1 tonnes a year earlier. Central banks globally are stockpiling gold due to currency risk and sovereign debt concerns.

SBI to Power Banking Services at 26 Land Ports Across India:

In a move aimed at enhancing India’s border trade infrastructure, the State Bank of India (SBI) has formalized a partnership with the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI). The collaboration will equip 26 land ports with modern banking facilities to promote smoother trade and passenger operations. SBI signed an MoU with LPAI to provide modern banking infrastructure at land ports to facilitate international trade, forex transactions, and financial services, aligning with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Objectives is to provide comprehensive banking services including forex, insurance, and digital banking at land ports.

Vishnu Prasad Versatile Malayalam Actor Passed Away:

Renowned Malayalam actor Vishnu Prasad, known for his compelling performances in negative roles, passed away at the age of 52. He was undergoing treatment for liver disease in Ernakulam and faced severe financial hardship during the process. His demise has drawn attention not only to his contribution to cinema but also to the challenges faced by artists in the industry. The Association of Television Media Artists (ATMA) and fellow actors had tried to support his treatment financially. His death highlights issues around healthcare access and financial support systems for artists.

MMA Debuts and Cricket Retained for Asian Games 2026:

The Asian Games 2026, scheduled to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, will feature some exciting developments in its sports programme. For the first time, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) will be included, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of combat sports on the international stage. Additionally, cricket, a beloved sport in Asia, will make its fourth appearance at the Games. These decisions have been confirmed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which officially approved the inclusion of both sports during its board meeting on April 28, 2025.

India Opposes Global Ban on Chlorpyrifos:

India’s recent opposition to the global phase-out of Chlorpyrifos, a hazardous insecticide, has sparked environmental and policy discussions at the global level. The issue arose during the 2025 meetings of the BRS Conventions where many countries advocated for banning the pesticide under the Stockholm Convention. Despite strong scientific evidence about its harmful effects on human health and the environment, India cited food security and lack of alternatives as major concerns, urging for broader exemptions.