Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 5th July 2023

Gucchi Mushroom : Hunters Are Facing Distressing Circumstances

Gucchi mushroom hunters are facing distressing circumstances for the second consecutive year as a result of unpredictable weather patterns, early springs, and above-average temperatures, leading to another season of low yield.

• These mushrooms are sought after for their nutty, earthy flavour and are notoriously difficult to find.
• The Guchhi mushroom is a species of fungus in the family Morchellaceae of the Ascomycota.
• They are pale yellow in colour with large pits and ridges on the surface of the cap, raised on a large white stem.
• These mushrooms are also replete with health benefits.
• They are rich in potassium, vitamins and copper.
• They are also a rich source of vitamin D apart from several B vitamins.
• It is further rich in antioxidants that prevent health issues including heart diseases and diabetes by removing reactive oxygen species that harm the body.
• Climate change, deforestation, and habitat destruction have also contributed to the rarity of gucchi mushrooms.
• The reduction in supplies has impacted both pickers and traders, leading to a decline in the overall production of morels.

Dharma Chakra Day : Buddha’s First Teaching

President of India (at the Dharma Chakra Pravartan Divas celebrations) highlighted the importance of Buddha’s teachings and called upon the youth to draw inspiration from them.

Key highlights:

• The president emphasized the significance of following Sheel, Sadhachar, and Pragya to empower the younger generation and create a positive impact on society.
• The construction contract for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal was also awarded.
• Dharma Chakra Day is celebrated to commemorate Buddha’s first teaching after attaining enlightenment.
• It is observed on the full moon day of Asadha in the Indian sun calendar.
• It is also observed as Guru Purnima, a day to honour spiritual teachers, by both Buddhists and Hindus.
• Date : 4th July 2020
• Organized by Ministry of Culture in partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
• It Commemorates the Dhamma Cakka-Pavattana Sutta, including the Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path
• The day marks the beginning of the Rainy Season retreat for monks and nuns.
• Other Names Asadha Poornima (India); Esala Poya (Sri Lanka); Asanha Bucha (Thailand)
• Guru Purnima Falls on a full-moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadh. Dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, editor of the Vedas and creator of Hindu scriptures.
• Also marks Lord Buddha’s first sermon delivered at Sarnath on the same day.

Lausanne Diamond League 2023:

Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist, clinched first place in the javelin event in the Lausanne Diamond League 2023 by achieving a remarkable throw of 87.66 m.

• The Lausanne meet was Neeraj Chopra’s second competition of the season and the first since the Doha Diamond League.
• Lausanne Diamond League 2023 was the sixth meet of the Diamond League athletics series, which took place at the Athletissima stadium in Switzerland.
• Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra obtained the top spot in Lausanne Diamond League 2023 with a best throw of 87.66 m.
• The star Indian player is coming back from a muscle injury he had sustained during training.
• The injury forced Chopra to withdraw from three events in the month of June namely FBK Games, Paavo Nurmi Games and the Ostrava Golden Spike.
• Neeraj Chopra’s attempts at Lausanne Diamond League 2023: No mark, 83.52m, 85.04m, No mark, 87.66m, 84.15m

Lausanne Diamond League 2023 men’s javelin throw results:

• Neeraj Chopra (IND) 87.66m
• Julian Weber (GER) 87.03m
• Jakub Vadlejch (CZE) 86.13m
• Oliver Helander (FIN) 83.50m
• Anderson Peters (GRN) 82.23m

International Seabed Authority : Preparing To Allow Deep Sea Mining

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is preparing to allow Deep Sea Mining in the International Seabed, including mining for minerals needed for Green Energy.

• The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission, which oversees the development of deep sea mining regulations, will meet in early July 2023 to discuss the mining code draft.
• The earliest that mining under ISA regulations could begin is 2026.
• Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• There are three types of such mining,
  • Taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor
  • Mining massive seafloor sulfide deposits
  • Stripping cobalt crusts from rock.
• These nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt and more, that are needed for batteries and other materials used in tapping Renewable Energy and also for everyday technology like cellphones and computers.
• Companies and governments view these as strategically important resources that will be needed as onshore reserves are depleted and demand continues to rise.

International Seabed Authority:

• The ISA is an autonomous organization within the United Nations common system, with headquarters located in Kingston, Jamaica.
• All States parties to the 1982 UNCLOS are members of the Authority, amounting to 168 members, including the European Union.

Energy Transition Index 2023: WEF

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India at the 67th place globally on its Energy Transition Index (ETI).

• The Index highlights India as the sole major economy with energy transition momentum accelerating across all dimensions and Singapore is the only other major economy showing “true momentum by advancing sustainability, energy security and equity in a balanced way.

Highlights of the Energy Transition Index:

• Sweden topped the list and was followed by Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland in the top five on the list of 120 countries.
• France (7) was the only G20 Country in the top 10, followed closely by Germany (11), the U.S. (12), and the U.K. (13).
• Global average ETI scores increased by 10% since 2014 but showed only marginal growth in the past three years.
• Only 41 countries have made steady progress in the past decade.

World Economic Forum:

• WEF is a Swiss nonprofit foundation established in 1971, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Recognized by the Swiss authorities as the international institution for public-private cooperation.
• Mission : Committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of society to shape global, regional, and industry agendas.

Sagar Nidhi : To Participate In a Joint Ocean Expedition

Scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius recently embarked onboard India’s research vessel Sagar Nidhi to participate in a joint ocean expedition.

• The event took place under the framework of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) between the nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Sagar Nidhi:

• Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Sagar Nidhi is a multidisciplinary vessel operated by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• It was built in 2007 by Fincantieri, Italy.
• It is India’s third research vessel after Sagar Purvi and Sagar Paschimi.
• It is 104 metres long and 18 metres wide.
• It is powered by fully automatic diesel-electric propulsion.
• It is designed with blue-water capability with ranges of up to 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km) for voyages lasting up to 45 days.
• It is equipped to launch submersible capsules capable of taking scientists to a depth of six km below sea level.
• The vessel is capable of carrying out geo-scientific, meteorological and oceanographic research.
• The vessel would be used for launching tsunami monitoring systems and remotely operable vehicles, for identifying mines and gas hydrates.
• It would provide a cutting-edge reference point for the study of marine theatres of operation, including tropical and polar environments.

International Maritime Organisation : Target To Ensure That Net Zero Carbon

India recently asked the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to focus on a realistic target to ensure that net zero carbon fuels occupy 5 per cent of the Marine fuel mix by 2030, without any additional checkpoints during this explorative and take-off period.

• International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent pollution from ships.
• IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping.
• Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
• It has an integral role in meeting the targets set out in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
• It was established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948, became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was renamed International Maritime Organization in 1982.
• Membership: It currently has 174 Member States.
• Headquarters: London.
• The work of the IMO is carried out by the IMO Secretariat, Member States, IGOs, and NGOs.
• The daily operations of the IMO, including meeting coordination and preparation, is conducted by the IMO Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General and assisted by a staff of 300 international civil servants.
• Funding for the IMO comes from contributions by member states, as well as voluntary donations and commercial activities.

First Supermoon Of 2023:

As per Scientists, the first supermoon of 2023, which will be seen in July, will appear brighter in the night sky compared to any other full moon that has been witnessed this year.

• Supermoon occurs when the Moon’s orbit is closest to the Earth at the same time that the Moon is full.
• As the Moon orbits the Earth, there is a point of time when the distance between the two is the least (called the perigee when the average distance is about 360,000 km from the Earth) and a point of time when the distance is the most (called the apogee when the distance is about 405,000 km from the Earth).
• Now, when a full Moon appears at the point when the distance between the Earth and the Moon is the least, not only does it appear to be brighter but it is also larger than a regular full moon.
• The term “Supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979, defining it as a special event when a full moon is within 90 percent of its closest point to Earth.
• In a typical year, there may be two to four full supermoons and two to four new supermoons in a row.

eSARAS Mobile App:

eSARAS mobile App was launched by the Secretary of Union Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India at New Delhi.

• eSARAS App is an e-commerce mobile app which will be used as a more effective platform for marketing of the products made by women of self-help groups.
• It is an initiative conceptualized by the DAY-NRLM, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), towards the marketing of the best, authentic handicrafts and hand-looms.
• This initiative promotes the spirit of Vocal for Local even further with easier marketing of products prepared by SHGs
• Along with that eSARAS Fulfilment Centre was also inaugurated.
• These centres will be managed by the Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chains.
• FDRVC – a Not for Profit Company constituted jointly by Ministry of Rural Development and Tata Trust.
• This centre will be used for processing, packaging and shipping of products that customers purchase through the eSARAS Portal and eSARAS mobile App.
• It will handle the logistics required to bring an online order to a customer’s doorstep.

DAY-NRLM scheme:

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is the flagship program of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Its aim is promoting poverty reduction through building strong institutions for the poor, particularly women, and enabling these institutions to access a range of financial services and livelihoods.

South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization:

The National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA India) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) in New Delhi.

• South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) was formed on 16th May 2007 in the South Asian Anti-Doping Program Project Development Meeting held in Maldives.
• Member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• Mission is to promote and co-ordinate the fight against doping in sport in all its forms in among South Asia RADO member countries.
• The MoU, through the project plan and areas of cooperation, aims to fulfil the following objectives over a period of three years:
  • Developing an anti-doping education & prevention program in South Asia;
  • Training & upskilling sample collection personnel, educators & other anti-doping education officers;
  • Organizing courses, seminars, workshops, research & exchange tours on anti-doping education & prevention;
• Facilitating exchange of education officers, program managers, trainers, teachers and specialists on anti-doping education & prevention.
• Supporting anti-doping education activities and exchanging services of experts.

NADA:

• It was established by the Government of India, with the objective of acting as the independent Anti-Doping Organization for India having a vision of dope-free sports.
• It was set up as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 on November 2005.

Bharat 6G Alliance:

The Indian government has launched the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) to spearhead the development of 6G technology in the country.

• Bharat 6G Alliance is a collaborative platform which aims to achieve universal and affordable connectivity, promote indigenous technology, and establish India as a global leader in the telecom sector.
• This platform consists of public and private companies, academia, research institutions, and standards development organizations, aims to lead the development and deployment of 6G technology in India.
• It will forge coalitions and synergies with other 6G Global Alliances, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Aim is to bring together Indian startups, companies, and the manufacturing ecosystem to establish consortia that drive the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies in India.
• One of the key goals of B6GA is to facilitate market access for Indian telecom technology products and services, enabling the country to emerge as a global leader in 6G technology.
• Funding for 6G technology projects is to support the advancement of 6G technology, the government has allocated a grant of 240.51 crores through the Telecom Technology Development Fund scheme.