Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 2nd August 2024

First-Ever Cultural Property Agreement:

India and the US signed the first-ever Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) to combat the illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts and ensure the return of antiquarian objects to their place of origin.

• The agreement aligns with the Article 9 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
• The CPA restricts the importation into the US of certain archaeological and ethnological material ranging from 1.7 million years ago through 1947.
• The list of such items restricted for import will be promulgated by the Government of the US.
• The US shall offer to return to India any object or material on the Designate List forfeited to the Government of the US.
• Similar agreements exist between the US and countries like Algeria, Cambodia, China, Egypt, and Italy.
• The agreement is the result of year-long bilateral discussions initiated during the G20 meetings. Under India’s G20 Presidency, the focus on protecting cultural property has been a top priority.
• The Kashi Culture Pathway and the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) in 2023 underscored the commitment to fighting illicit trafficking.
• It marks a shift in the global development strategy, emphasising culture as a standalone goal in the post-2030 development framework.

Genetic Testing In Sports:

The emergence of genetic testing in sports has gained significant attention, especially with athletes utilising it for performance enhancement ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• This trend has sparked debates about the potential benefits and ethical concerns surrounding athletic genetic screening.
• Genetic testing involves analysing an individual’s DNA to identify genetic variants that can influence health, traits, and performance.
• It detects alterations in chromosomes, genes, or proteins to confirm or exclude genetic conditions and assess the likelihood of developing or transmitting genetic disorders.
• These tests can be conducted using samples from blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid, or other tissues.
• Types:
  • Cytogenetic Testing: Examines whole chromosomes.
  • Biochemical Testing: Measures proteins produced by genes.
  • Molecular Testing: It detects small DNA mutations.

Special Lok Adalat Drive :Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has launched a week-long special week-long Lok Adalat drive to address and resolve long-standing disputes as part of its 75th anniversary (diamond jubilee) celebrations.

• This initiative aims to tackle the substantial backlog of cases and provide expedited justice.
• The initiative involves the first seven Benches of the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice leading a five-member panel that includes prominent judges and legal professionals.
• Cases Covered: Includes matrimonial disputes, property disputes, motor accident claims, land acquisition, compensation, and service and labour issues.
• Citizens with pending cases are encouraged to participate for amicable and speedy resolutions.
• The drive employs an informal, technology-based solution to facilitate dispute resolution, making the process more accessible and efficient for the public.Lok Adalats are informal, voluntary and conciliatory dispute resolution forums based on Gandhian principles, which have statutory backing under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• It is a component of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system that provides informal, inexpensive, and expeditious justice to the common people.

The State Of The World’s Mangroves 2024:

A report titled “The State of the World’s Mangroves 2024” was released by the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) on World Mangrove Day (26 July).

• The GMA is the preeminent alliance of 100-plus members driving the conservation and restoration for the world’s mangroves.
• The latest world map (GMW v4.0), developed by the Global Mangrove Watch, provides a sixfold improvement in spatial resolution.
• It maps 147,256 km² of mangroves in 2020, adding data for six new territories.
• Southeast Asia holds about one-third of the world’s mangroves, with Indonesia alone accounting for 21%.
• Mangroves hold, on average, a remarkable 394 tonnes of carbon per hectare in their living biomass and in the top meter of soil.
• Some mangrove areas like the Philippines, have average values of over 650 tonnes per hectare.
• Biodiversity: Mangroves are home to a tremendous diversity of species, reflecting their ecotone nature.
• Over 5,700 plant and animal species, across 21 phyla, have been recorded in Indian mangroves alone
• Flooding is the most frequently occurring natural disaster worldwide and is exacerbated by climate change.
• Mangroves reduce flood depths by 15-20%, and over 70% in some areas.
• Mangroves support nearly 800 billion young fish, prawns, bivalves, and crabs annually, crucial for global fisheries.
• They provide non-aquatic food resources like honey, leaves, and fruits, essential for local communities.

Supply Chain Council : India Re Elected

India has been elected as Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council which is one of the three bodies set up by the 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) bloc.

• India and 13 other Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) partners have established three supply chain bodies under the landmark Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement relating to Supply Chain Resilience.
• Supply Chain Council: To pursue targeted, action-oriented work to strengthen the supply chains for those sectors and goods most critical to national security, public health, and economic well-being.
• Crisis Response Network: To provide a forum for a collective emergency response to exigent or imminent disruptions.
• Labour Rights Advisory Board: Brings together workers, employers, and governments at the same table to strengthen labour rights and workforce development across regional supply chains.

Landslides In Wayanad:

The Wayanad district of Kerala has witnessed one of the most devastating landslide-related disasters due to extreme rainfall and fragile ecological conditions.

• The district received over 140 mm of rain in 24 hours, surpassing expectations and recalling the devastating 2018 floods that claimed around 500 lives.
• A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, and debris on a slope, ranging from small shifts to large, destructive events.
• It can occur on natural or man-made slopes and is triggered by factors like heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity, human activities, and changes in groundwater levels.
• As per the Geological Survey of India, the economic loss due to landslides may amount to as much as 1% to 2% of the Gross National Product (GNP) in many developing countries

Causes of Landslides:

• Gravitational Forces: These are the primary cause of landslides, constantly pulling materials on slopes downward.
• Rainfall: Prolonged or intense rainfall increases soil water content, reducing cohesion and adding weight to slopes, making them more prone to failure.
• Earthquakes: Earthquakes destabilise slopes by shaking the ground and weakening the structural integrity of geomaterials, especially in tectonically active regions like the Himalayas.
• Erosion: Natural processes such as river or wave action can erode the base of slopes, undermining their stability. Coastal areas are particularly susceptible to landslides due to wave-induced erosion.
• Hydrological Factors: Groundwater movement can contribute to landslide risk. Water can seep through porous materials, increasing pore pressure and reducing effective stress, thereby weakening the slope.

Dr. Jitendra Singh Receives Lifetime Achievement Award In Diabetology:

During a ceremony honoring notable figures in the medical field, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his significant contributions to diabetology, diabetes care, and research.

• The event attracted medical professionals from across India and around the world. Dr. Singh was recognized for his dedication as a diabetology professor, researcher, and practitioner.
• His substantial impact in the field has earned him respect both nationally and internationally.
• Dr. Singh has been elected to the Lok Sabha for three consecutive terms.
• He is one of the first representatives from Jammu & Kashmir to serve in the Union Council of Ministers, balancing careers in both medicine and politics. Dr. Singh is known for his clean reputation and integrity, respected by colleagues from multiple generations.
• His contributions extend beyond medicine, earning awards in journalism and education.

One DAE One Subscription Initiative : Mumbai

The first ceremony for the ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS) program took place at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. This initiative aims to improve access to scientific research for the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and its around 60 units.

• ODOS is created to make it easier for DAE members to access both national and international research papers and journals online.
• This will help promote growth in scientific knowledge and encourage collaboration among the DAE community.
• DAE has set up special agreements with two major publishers: Wiley India Private Limited and Springer Nature Group.
• These new agreements significantly increase the number of journals available to DAE compared to previous ones.

Humayun’s Tomb : In News

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism recently inaugurated the sprawling 100,000 square feet state of the art – Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum at the Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site in New Delhi.

• Inspired from the ancient ‘Baolis’ or stepped wells of Delhi, this underground museum is designed to retain the visual integrity of the monuments located in the complex, as per the UNESCO recommendation that site museums be provided at World Heritage Sites to provide the cultural context of the heritage edifice.
• Humayun’s tomb is the tomb ofMughal emperor, Mirza Nasir al-Din Muhammad commonly known as Humayun situated in Delhi, India.
• The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum, in 1558.
• It was designed by Persian architects Mirak Mirza Ghiyas and his son, Sayyid Muhammad.
• Humayun’s Tomb is notable for being the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and the first structure to use red sandstone at such a scale.It features high arches and double domes, showing considerable Persian influence.
• The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
• It is situated in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, near the Dina-panah Citadel, also known as Purana Qila.

Tenth Anniversary Year Of The Act East Policy:

2024 is the tenth anniversary year of the Act East Policy (AEP).

• The AEP, which replaced the Look East Policy (LEP) in 2014, has laid the foundations for India’s engagements with the East.
• India’s Act East policy is a diplomatic initiative aimed at promoting economic, strategic, and cultural relations with the vast Asia-Pacific region.
• It serves as a modern version of the Look East Policy, which was launched in 1991 by then Prime Minister V. Narasimha Rao.
• While the Look East Policy primarily focused on economic integration with Southeast Asian countries, the Act East Policy expands its scope to include both economic and security integration.
• The Act East Policy was announced in November 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The policy aims to enhance economic cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• It seeks to strengthen cultural ties and foster people-to-people connections.
• The Act East Policy aims to develop strategic relationships with neighbouring countries, including those in Southeast Asia and East Asia.
• Enhanced connectivity is a key focus, especially for the North Eastern Region of India, including Arunachal Pradesh.