Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 19th October 2024

African Baobab:

New research by South African ecologists has refuted the claim that the African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) tree is dying due to climate change.

• Baobabs are long-lived deciduous, small to large trees from 20 to 100 ft tall with broad trunks and compact tops.
• These trees can live to become thousands of years old.
• The oldest baobab tree on record was the Panke baobab in Zimbabwe, which lived to be a venerable 2450 years old
• These solitary trees are also incredibly resilient, thriving in dry, open areas such as the savannas of southern Africa and western Madagascar.
• Baobab trees are fundamental to the entire dry African savanna ecosystem. They help keep soil conditions humid, aid nutrient recycling, and slow soil erosion with their massive root systems.
• It absorbs and stores water from the rainy season in its massive trunk, producing a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season, which can grow up to a foot long.
• The fruit contains tartaric acid and Vitamin C, serving as a vital nutrient and food source for many species.
• These baobabs play a vital role in their ecosystem; mitigate impacts of climate change, providing food and shelter to animals and humans.
• Its fruit is recognised as having high fibre content, acting as a natural prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Marine Heat Wave:

Researchers found that marine heat waves (MHWs) deep in oceans may be “significantly under-reported” and caused by ocean currents.

• A marine heat wave is an extreme weather event.
• It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degree Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
• MHWs can last for weeks, months or even years, according to the US government’s agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• MHWs are prolonged temperature events that can cause severe damage to marine habitats, such as impacts to coral reefs and species displacement.
• These events are becoming more frequent due to global warming, with notable occurrences off Australia’s East Coast and Tasmania, as well as the northeast Pacific coast and North Atlantic.
• Higher ocean temperatures, which are associated with MHWs, can make storms like hurricanes and tropical cyclones stronger.
• MHWs also fuel the growth of invasive alien species, which can be destructive to marine food webs.
• When storms travel across hot oceans, they gather more water vapour and heat.
• This results in more powerful winds, heavier rainfall and more flooding when storms reach the land — meaning heightened devastation for humans.

Convention On Biological Diversity : 16th Conference Of Parties

The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is set to begin in Cali, Colombia.

• CBD, with currently 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive binding international agreement in the field of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signing at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• It has three overarching objectives:
  • The conservation of biological diversity(genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity).
  • The sustainable use of biological diversity.
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.
• It covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
• The CBD’s governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP). This ultimate authority of all governments (or Parties) that have ratified the treaty meets every two years to review progress, set priorities, and commit to work plans.
• The Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada.
• To support implementation of the CBD objectives, two internationally binding agreements were adopted within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The Cartagena Protocol, which was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003, regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs).
• The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, establishes a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use.

Mid-Career Training Programme For Civil Servants : BIMSTEC

India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has initiated its first-ever Mid-Career Training Programme for civil servants from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) nations.

• BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising seven member states lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity.
• It came into being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
• It constitutes seven Member States: five deriving from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.
• The main aim of the BIMSTEC was the promotion of economic cooperation between countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
• BIMSTEC has identified 14 priority areas of mutual cooperation where a member country takes the lead.
• India is the lead country for Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management and Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime.
• Permanent Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve : Nine-Year Old Tigress RVTR-2 Was Found

The carcass of a nearly nine-year old tigress RVTR-2 was found in the newly notified Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Bundi

• Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve lies in the southeastern part of Rajasthan in Bindi district with representation of both Vindhyan and Aaravalli elements.
• It consists of 481.91 sq. km. as the core area and 1019.98 sq. km. as the buffer area, for a total area of 1501.89 sq. km.
• It is in continuation with the buffer area of Ranthambore tiger reserveon the north-eastern side and Mukundara Hills tiger reserve on the southern side.
• It was notified as a tiger reserve on May 16, 2022.
• River: Mez, a tributary of the Chambal River, passes through the tiger reserve.
• Vegetation: Dry Deciduous Forest
• It varies from gentle slopes to steep rocky cliffs, from the flat-of hills of Vindhyasto the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravallis.
• The area is dominated by Leopards and Sloth bears.

Smart Insulin Developed For Diabetes Treatment:

Recently, scientists announced a breakthrough in diabetes treatment. They developed a smart insulin that reacts in real time to blood sugar changes. This research was published in the journal Nature.

• Diabetes affects over 500 million people globally. It leads to nearly 7 million deaths annually. The disease is marked by high blood sugar levels.
• There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
• Type 1 Diabetes: Often begins in childhood. The pancreas produces little or no insulin.
• Type 2 Diabetes: The body’s cells resist insulin. More insulin is needed than the pancreas can produce.
• Both types are managed with synthetic insulin.
• However, insulin management is complex. Blood glucose levels fluctuate throughout the day.
• Too much insulin can cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Patients must frequently monitor their blood sugar and adjust their insulin doses.

Abhyuday Jindal, President of Indian Chamber of Commerce:

Abhyuday Jindal has been named the new President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), taking over from Ameya Prabhu. This change in leadership is important for the ICC, as it reflects the ongoing transformation of business leadership in India.

16th BRICS Summit:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Russia from October 22-23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. This will be Modi’s second trip to Russia in 2023, following a previous meeting in Moscow in July.The BRICS Summit is a meeting of five major countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year, new members, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, have joined. The summit’s main goal is to strengthen cooperation among these nations, especially to promote global development and security.

Economic Freedom of the World: 2024 Annual Report:

The Economic Freedom of the World: 2024 Annual Report evaluates the extent to which individuals in 165 jurisdictions can make their own economic choices. According to the latest data from 2022, the top three most economically free regions are Hong Kong (1st), Singapore (2nd), and Switzerland (3rd). The report indicates a global decline in economic freedom over the past three years, reversing a trend of improvement that lasted nearly two decades.

Chennai Metro Rail to Launch Trial Run of Driverless Train for Phase II Project:

Chennai is set to witness a significant advancement in its public transportation system with the upcoming trial run of the first three-coach driverless train for the Phase II project of the Chennai Metro Rail. This ambitious initiative, part of a larger Rs 63,246 crore investment in urban infrastructure, marks a pivotal step in modernizing the city’s metro services and improving overall connectivity.

Indonesia’s Largest-Ever Cabinet:

Newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto has unveiled Indonesia’s largest-ever Cabinet, comprising 109 members. Named the “Red and White Cabinet” after Indonesia’s flag, this lineup reflects his vision of a strong, unified government. Subianto, who was sworn in on Sunday, seeks to unite the nation’s multicultural fabric and diverse political interests. Analysts, however, have noted that the expanded Cabinet might overburden the bureaucracy.

Liu Yukun, Yang Ji-in Shine as ISSF Athletes of the Year:

China’s Liu Yukun, the reigning Olympic champion in the Paris 2024 Olympics, was honored as the athlete of the year by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). Also, Korea’s Yang Ji-in, was named the female athlete of the year, recognizing her remarkable achievements in the sport.

World Iodine Deficiency Day 2024:

World Iodine Deficiency Day, also known as Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, is observed annually on 21st October. The primary goal of this observance is to raise awareness about the importance of iodine in maintaining good health and to emphasize the adverse consequences of iodine deficiency, which remains a global public health issue. This article provides a detailed overview of iodine’s essential role, the impacts of deficiency, national and global efforts to eradicate iodine deficiency, and the achievements of various programs aimed at ensuring adequate iodine intake.

New Zealand Wins ICC Women’s T20 World Cup After 23 Years:

New Zealand Women’s Team Lift the ICC T20 World Cup After 23 Years at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. They defeated the South African team with 32 runs. South Africa won the toss and opted to Bowl first. The New Zealand Team set the target of 158-5 after completing 20 overs. Player of the Match Amelia Kerr, Player of the Series Amelia Kerr.