Daily Current Affairs

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

Time: 45 Min. Date: 24-05-2021

Biodiversity and Environment

Protected Planet Report 2020

Syllabus: GS 2, International Organisations & Groupings, United Nations, its Bodies & Agencies, Important International Institutions, GS 3, Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

In News: Recently, the Protected Planet Report 2020 has been published.

About the Report ● Published by ○ United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). ○ International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). ○ Support from the National Geographic Society (global non-profit). ● It underlined the progress the world has made toward the ambitious Aichi Biodiversity Target 11. ○ These are a set of 20 targets set and agreed by countries in 2010 at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. ○ It aimed to conserve 17 per cent of land and inland water ecosystems and 10 per cent of its coastal waters and oceans by 2020. ○ A new framework of goals is due to be agreed upon at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China (to be held in October 2021). ● The report provided a strong starting point from which to begin working towards these ambitious goals. ● It is the first in the series to include data on ‘Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures’ (OECMs) in addition to protected areas. ○ OECMs are a conservation designation for areas that are achieving the effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas.

Image Courtesy: Sciencedirect Major Findings ● As many as 82 per cent of countries and territories have increased their share of protected area and coverage of OECM since 2010. ● Since 2010, over 21 million square kilometres have been placed within protected and conserved areas, meaning that 42 per cent of the area now within protected and conserved areas has been added in the last decade. ● As a result, at least 22.5 million square kilometres (16.64 per cent) of land and inland water ecosystems and 28.1 million square kilometers (7.74 per cent) of coastal waters and the ocean are within protected areas and OECMs as of May 2021. ● On an average, 62.6 percent of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) either fully or partially overlap with protected areas and OECMs. ○ KBAs are sites that contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. ○ The average percentage of each KBA within protected areas and OECMs is 43.2 per cent for terrestrial; 42.2 percent for inland water and 44.2 percent for marine (within national waters). ● There was an increase of 5 percentage points or less in each case since 2010, the greatest growth in marine and coastal areas.

Suggestions ● It calls for existing protected and conserved areas to be identified and recognised by accounting for the efforts of indigenous peoples, local communities and private entities. ● A global network of effective and equitable protected and conserved areas will play a vital role in safeguarding the health of people and the planet for generations to come.

● Protected and conserved areas need to be managed effectively and efficiently to prevent further ecosystem degradation and consolidate progress on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

United Nations Environment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre ● It is a collaboration between the UNEP and the UK charity, WCMC. ● Mission: To provide authoritative information about biodiversity and ecosystem services in a way that is useful to decision makers who are driving change in environment and development policy. ● It works with scientists and policy makers to enable enlightened choices for people and the planet. ● It has experience of working with decision makers at national, regional and local scales in the following sectors: Environment, Climate change, Agriculture, Oil, Gas, Mining, Finance, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Tourism. ● It is based in Cambridge, UK. International Union for Conservation of Nature ● It is a democratic Union that brings together the world’s most influential organisations and top experts in a combined effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development. ● It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 member organisations and the input of more than 18,000 experts. ● Every four years, it convenes the IUCN World Conservation Congress where IUCN Members set the global conservation agenda by voting on recommendations and guide the Secretariat’s work by passing resolutions and the IUCN Programme. ● The IUCN Council is the principal governing body of IUCN between sessions of the World Conservation Congress. ● Headquarters: Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration ● It challenges everyone to massively scale up restoration efforts that breathe new life into our degraded ecosystems. ● It will be officially launched on the World Environment Day (5th June) 2021. ○ It runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the timeline scientists have identified as the last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change. ● Aims ○ To prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. ○ To end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction. ● It is led by the UNEP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Source: DTE

Indian History

Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Father of Indian Renaissance

Syllabus: GS1/Personalities

In News: Recently, the 249th birth anniversary of Raja Ram Mohan Roy was celebrated.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Early life ● He was born on 22 May 1772 in a Hindu Brahmin family in Radhanagar village in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, Bengal. ● He studied Persian and Arabic along with Sanskrit, which influenced his thinking about God. He read Upanishads, Vedas and the Quran and translated a lot of the scriptures into English ● He worked as a moneylender in Calcutta, and from 1809 to 1814 and served in the Revenue Department of the East India Company. ● Gopal Krishna Gokhale called him the ‘Father of Modern India’. ● Several historians consider him as one of the pioneers of the Indian Renaissance. ● He was bestowed with the title of Raja by Akbar II, the Mughal emperor.

Image courtesy: Explore art Social Reforms and Ideology ● He opposed superstitious practices, customs such as Sati, polygamy, child marriage, the rigidity of the caste system and its excesses, and sought property inheritance rights for women. ● He was in favour of inter-caste marriages, women’s education and widow remarriages ● In 1814, he formed Atmiya Sabha (Friendly Society). ○ Atmiya Sabha tried to initiate social and religious reforms in the society. ● In 1828,he set up the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist movement of the Hindu religion that aimed at fighting social evils that were prevalent in society.

Brahmo Samaj ● Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which was later renamed as Brahmo Samaj. ● Its chief aim was the worship of the eternal God. It was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices. ● It focused on prayers, meditation and reading of the scriptures. ● It believed in the unity of all religions. ● It was the first intellectual reform movement in modern India. ● It led to the emergence of rationalism and enlightenment in India which indirectly contributed to the nationalist movement. ● It was the forerunner of all social, religious and political movements of modern India. ● It split into two in 1866, namely Brahmo Samaj of India led by Keshub Chandra Sen and Adi Brahmo Samaj led by Debendranath Tagore. ● Prominent Leaders: Debendranath Tagore, Keshub Chandra Sen, Pt. Sivnath Shastri, and Rabindranath Tagore

● He actively opposed the Sati system. ● As a result of his hard work in fighting Sati, the governor of the Bengal Presidency, Lord William Bentinck, formally banned the practice in the year 1829. ● In 1830, Raja Ram Mohan Roy traveled to the United Kingdom as an ambassador of the Mughal Empire to ensure that Lord William Bentinck’s Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829 banning the practice of Sati was not overturned.

Educational Reform ● He advocated the study of English, Science, Western Medicine and Technology. ● He established a number of schools to popularise a modern education system in India ● He was instrumental in setting up several institutions including the Hindu College in Calcutta in 1817, in collaboration with David Hare; the Anglo-Hindu School in 1822; and the Vedanta College to spread his teachings of Hindu monotheism. ● He also helped establish the Scottish Church College in 1830.

Economic and Political Reforms ● Raja Ram Roy was impressed and admired the British system of constitutional government for the civil liberties it gave to the people. He wanted to extend the benefits of that system of government to Indian people. ● He supported the movement for free press in India.

Writings ● He published his first book Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin (A Gift to Monotheism) in 1803.

● He started the first Bengali language weekly newspaper and the first newspaper in an Indian language, called Sambad Kaumudi, in 1821. ○ The weekly newspaper advocated reading habits, the importance of discussion as well as the need for education for all. ● He published an English weekly called the Bengal Gazette and a Persian newspaper called Miratul-Akbar.

Taxation Reforms ● He condemned oppressive practices of Bengali zamindars and demanded fixation of minimum rents. He also demanded the abolition of taxes on tax-free lands. ● He called for a reduction of export duties on Indian goods abroad and the abolition of the East India Company’s trading rights.

Administrative Reforms ● He demanded the Indianisation of superior services and separation of the executive from judiciary. He demanded equality between Indians and Europeans.

Death ● He died of Meningitis in Stapleton near Bristol on September 27, 1833 while he was on his visit to Britain. ● The British government named a street in Bristol as ‘Raja Rammohan Way’ in the memory of Roy. Source: News 18

Environment and Biodiversity

Study on Whiteflies

Syllabus: GS 3/ Environment, Environmental Impact Assessment

In News: Recent studies have indicated that approximately 1.35 lakh hectares of coconut and oil palm in India are affected by the rugose spiralling whitefly.

About ● Extensive studies were carried out from 2015 to 2020 across the country to understand the patterns of occurrence, the intensity of the infestation of whitefly. ● Researchers extracted genomic DNA from individual adult whiteflies and explained in detail about eight invasive species found in India. ● Most of these species are native to the Caribbean islands or Central America [or both].

How did the Whiteflies Enter India? ● Most probably a nymph or baby insect may have come along with imported plants. ● Also nowadays with globalisation, it is also possible that tourists may have brought the insect along with plants. ● Out of curiosity, people randomly pluck and bring tiny plants which lead to the accidental introduction of invasive species.

Reported Whiteflies ● The first invasive whitefly reported from Kerala in 1995 has now spread across the country, and a study has now detailed the damage caused by the pest. ○ The first reported invasive spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispersus is now distributed throughout India except Jammu & Kashmir. ● Similarly, the rugose spiralling whitefly which was reported in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in 2016 has now spread throughout the country including the islands of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep. ○ Aleurodicus dispersus and Aleurodicus rugioperculatus have been reported on over 320 and 40 plant species, respectively.

Concerns ● Damage to Crops ○ Whiteflies are one of the top ten devastating pests in the world that damage more than 2000 plant species and also function as vectors for some 200-plant viruses. ○ Cotton is one of the worst hit crops by these, in 2015 two third of the cotton crop was destroyed by the pest in Punjab. ● Ineffectiveness of Insecticides ○ Whiteflies have been difficult to control by using available synthetic insecticides. ● Reasons of increase ○ The team found that the host range of all of the invasive whiteflies was increasing due to their polyphagous nature (ability to feed on various kinds of food) and prolific breeding.

Measures Needed ● Biological Control Method ● The whiteflies are difficult to control by using synthetic insecticides, and hence currently naturally occurring insect predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic fungi (fungi that can kill insects) can be used. ○ These are not just environmentally friendly but also economically feasible ● Entomopathogenic fungi specific to whiteflies are isolated, purified, grown in the lab or mass-produced and applied into the whitefly infested field in combination with the release of lab-reared potential predators and parasitoids.

● Proper Monitoring ● Continuous monitoring of the occurrence of invasive species, their host plants and geographical expansion is needed, and if required, import of potential natural enemies for bio-control programmes can also be carried out. ● Awareness among citizens ● We need to create awareness among the citizens, especially travellers. ● Phytosanitary Regulations ○ The state should ensure stricter phytosanitary measures at relevant places to reduce the chances of incoming exotic species. ● Use of Biotechnology ● In a move to fight against whiteflies, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) Lucknow has developed a pest-resistant variety of cotton and is going to start field trials this year from April to October in Faridkot Center of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana.

Rugose Spiralling Whitefly ● The rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) has been reported from ● India from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. ● It is an invasive pest that attacks a wide range of host plants including palms, woody ornamentals, and fruits. Coconut and banana are among the most preferred host plants.

Image Courtesy: Entomology Damage Symptoms and Diagnosis ● Nymphs and adults of the whitefly suck the sap on the under surfaces of the leaflets. ● Extensive feeding of the insect leads to the excretion of honey dew which subsequently gets deposited on the upper surface of the leaves ● Honey dew excrement, being sweet and watery, attracts ants and encourages growth of the fungus Capnodium sp. which causes disfigurement of hosts affecting the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant. Management ● Spraying starch solution (1%) to dislodge the heavy sooty mould deposition on the leaves of infested plants.

● Use of yellow sticky traps to trap the adult whiteflies ● Encourage build up of parasitoids (Encarsia sp.) and re-introduce parasitized pupae to emerging zones of whitefly outbreak. ● In case of severe infestation, spray neem oil 0.5% ● No insecticides should be applied to manage the pest.

Source :TH

Indian Economy

Impact of Covid-19 on Government Finances

Syllabus: GS 3, Indian Economy & Related Issues, Planning, Mobilisation of Resources, Growth & Development.

In News: The government released the First Advance Estimates (FAE) at the start of January 2021 and the Second Advance Estimates (SAE) in February 2021, which showed the impact of Covid- 19 on the finances of the Centre and the States in 2020.

Key Highlights ● First Advance Estimates ○ The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would contract by 7.7 per cent in Fiscal Year (FY) 21. ○ The Gross Value Added (GVA) would contract by 7.2 per cent. ■ GVA captures the value added (in money terms) by economic agents in each sector of the economy. ■ The GDP is arrived at by taking the GVA number, adding all the taxes earned by the government and subtracting all the subsidies provided by the government. ○ India’s per capita GDP, per capita private consumption and the level of investments in the economy, all were expected to fall to levels similar to those of 2016-17 or earlier. ● Second Advance Estimates ○ Showed that the contraction in GDP would be 8 per cent instead of 7.7 per cent. ○ GVA would contract by only 6.5 per cent and the growth rate of GVA was expected to get better. ■ The change between FAE and SAE might be marginal but the turnaround in GVA suggested a recovery in the Indian economy.

● Provisional Estimates ○ Since February-end, India has been witnessing the second wave of Covid-19 and the impact on the economy would be estimated in the Provisional Estimates (PEs) for the full financial year 2020-21, to be released by May-end. ○ The data would also provide the new benchmark for assessing economic growth for the current financial year (FY22). ● India’s GDP growth rate in the current financial year (2021-22 or FY22) is forecasted to be 9.7 per cent. ○ According to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) analysis, if one presumes a contraction of 8 per cent in FY21 then a GDP growth of 9.7 per cent in FY22 is just a statistical phenomenon.

Impact on Centre’s Finances ● Revenues, both from tax and non-tax sources, fell sharply and the government overshot its expenditure as well. ● This resulted in the Union government’s revenue deficit (the difference between its revenue receipts and its revenue expenditure) as well as its fiscal deficit (a measure of its overall borrowing) rising sharply. ○ In its original intent, the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003expected the revenue deficit to be zero and the fiscal deficit to be limited to 3 per cent. ○ While the central government has been failing to meet either of these targets for over a decade yet, the Covid disruption has meant that the government’s fiscal deficit will remain out of shape for a while.

● 61 per cent of the rise in fiscal deficit was due to a fall in revenue and 39 per cent was due to a rise in expenditure. ● The table shows that all tax and non-tax revenues took the biggest hit except for Union Excise Duties (UEDs):

● However, the massive jump in UED collection did not benefit the states since the Union government collected it by increasing cesses and surcharges on UED instead of raising the basic UED rate. ○ Cesses accounted for 65 per cent of all the UED collection in FY21, registering an annual growth of 187 per cent. ○ In fact, if one removed the cesses and surcharges, the UED collections for the past financial year would actually fall by 20 per cent, instead of going up by 50 per cent. ○ The proceeds of cesses and surcharges are not shareable with states.

Impact on States’ Finances ● To analyse the situation for states, the monthly statements of accounts (Monthly Key Indicators) data provided by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India were used. ○ The data was taken for 16 major Indian states (excluding Goa and Bihar) till December 2020, i.e., up to the third quarter (Q3) of 2020-21. ● The main takeaway was that, on the aggregate, states have contained their revenue as well as capital expenditures to cope up with the revenue shock. ● However, the containment of expenditures was not sufficient to compensate for the contraction in total receipts. ● Consequently, in the first three quarters of FY21, these states saw their revenue deficits exceed the budget target by almost 240 per cent and their fiscal deficit by over 40 per cent. ● State-level finances are not as badly hit as the Centre and this has happened despite the fall in Union taxes resulting in lower tax devolution to states by 30 per cent. ● Around half of all state-level tax revenues come from ‘Own Tax Revenues’, which include taxes such as state GST, state sales tax, state excise duties, stamps and registration fees, land revenues, etc. ● The table shows statewide variations, both in terms of revenues raised and expenditures made:

International Monetary Fund ● It was established in 1944 in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. ● IMF and the World Bank are also known as the Bretton Woods twins because both were agreed to be set up at a conference in Bretton Woods in the US. ● It is governed by and accountable to the 190 countries that make up its near-global membership. ○ India became a member in December 1945. ● Aim: To ensure the stability of the international monetary system (the system of exchange rates and international payments) which enables countries and their citizens) to transact with each other. ○ Its mandate was updated in 2012 to include all macroeconomic and financial sector issues that bear on global stability. ● Financing: The IMF's resources mainly come from the money that countries pay as their capital subscription (quotas) when they become members. ○ Each member of the IMF is assigned a quota, based broadly on its relative position in the world economy. ○ Countries can then borrow from this pool when they fall into financial difficulty. ● Publications ○ World Economic Outlook ○ Global Financial Stability Report ○ Fiscal Monitor ○ Global Policy Agenda

Image Courtesy: IMF Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 ● It establishes financial discipline to reduce the fiscal deficit. ● It was introduced in 2000 and was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2003 and became effective from 5th July 2004.

● Aims ○ To introduce transparency in India's fiscal management systems. ○ To achieve fiscal stability and to give the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) flexibility to deal with inflation in India. ○ To introduce more equitable distribution of India's debt over the years. ● Key Features ○ It made it mandatory for the government to place the following along with the Union Budget documents in Parliament annually: ■ Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement ■ Macroeconomic Framework Statement ■ Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement ○ It proposed that revenue deficit, fiscal deficit, tax revenue and the total outstanding liabilities be projected as a percentage of GDP in the medium-term fiscal policy statement. ● Exemptions: On grounds of national security, calamity, etc, the set targets of fiscal deficits and revenue could be exceeded. ● In 2013, the government introduced a change and introduced the concept of effective revenue deficit. ○ This implies that effective revenue deficit would be equal to revenue deficit minus grants to states for the creation of capital assets. ● In 2016, a committee under N K Singh was set up to suggest changes to the Act and its recommendations are as follows ○ Targets: The committee suggested using debt as the primary target for fiscal policy and that the target must be achieved by 2023. ○ Fiscal Council: It proposed to create an autonomous Fiscal Council with a chairperson and two members appointed by the Centre (not employees of the government at the time of appointment) ○ Deviations: The committee suggested that the grounds for the government to deviate from the FRBM Act targets should be clearly specified. ○ Borrowings: According to the suggestions of the committee, the government must not borrow from the RBI, except when ■ The Centre has to meet a temporary shortfall in receipts. ■ RBI subscribes to government securities to finance any deviations. ■ RBI purchases government securities from the secondary market.

Comptroller and Auditor General ● The Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

● He/she is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels, the Centre and the States. ● It is his/her duty to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration. ● Evolution ○ The idea of CAG evolved in British India. In May 1858, for the first time, a separate department was set up with an Accountant General, who was responsible for accounting and auditing the financial transactions under the East India Company (EIC). ○ In the Montford Reforms of 1919, the Auditor General became independent of the government. ○ The Government of India Act 1935 strengthened the position of the Auditor General by providing for Provincial Auditors General in a federal set-up. ● Constitutional Provisions for CAG ○ Article 148: Appointment, oath and conditions of service. ○ Article 149: Duties and powers. ○ Article 150: The accounts of the Union and of the States shall be kept in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, prescribe. ○ Article 151: Deals with the Audit Reports. ■ The reports of the CAG relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the president, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament. ○ Article 279: Mentions that calculation of “net proceeds” is ascertained and certified by the CAG, whose certificate is final. ○ Third Schedule: Section IV of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of India prescribes the form of oath or affirmation to be made by the Judges of the Supreme Court (SC) and the CAG at the time of assumption of office.

Source: IE

Science & Technology

Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Variants

Syllabus: GS3/ Awareness in the fields of Biotechnology

In News: The Government of India (GoI) has notified the genome sequencing of 5% of the COVID positive cases and to maintain a record of it.

About ● The work began in January by sequencing samples of people who had a history of travel from the United Kingdom and a proportion of positive samples in the community. ● The institutes involved in the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) have expertise in genome sequencing. ● A new variant, which was found in the UK, is defined by multiple mutations in the Spike region, as well as mutations in other genomic regions. ● As per Department of Biotechnology (DBT), these mutations are rapidly increasing the number of variants of the virus and are more transmissible than previous ones.

Findings of DBT ● The DBT has identified “foreign” variants namely the B.1.1.7 (first identified in the United Kingdom) and the B.1.351 (first found in South Africa) and a small number of P2 variants (from Brazil). ● Various labs have verified the presence of ‘double mutant’ variant B.1.617 (primarily due to two mutations E484Q and L452R - on the spike protein) in India. ● B.1.617 was marked as an international ‘variant of concern’ but there is no evidence yet to show that the variant is associated with increased disease severity. ● INSACOG labs also found that the B.1.1.7 variant, marked by increased infectivity, is distinctly more prevalent in several northern and central Indian States.

Genome Sequencing ● A genome is a complete set of genetic instructions which are present in an organism in its DNA. Sequencing is the sequence of occurrences of the four nucleotide bases i.e., adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). ● The human genome is made up of over 3 billion of these genetic letters. The whole genome can't be sequenced all at once because available methods of DNA sequencing can only handle short stretches of DNA at a time. ● While human genomes are made of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), a virus genome can be made of either DNA or RNA (Ribonucleic acid). Coronavirus is made of RNA. Every organism has a unique genome sequence. ● Genome sequencing is a technique that reads and interprets genetic information found within DNA or RNA.

Approaches for Genome Sequencing ● There are two approaches to the task of cutting up the genome and putting it back together again. ● The "clone-by-clone" approach involves first breaking the genome up into relatively large chunks, called clones, about 150,000 base pairs (bp) long. Scientists use genome mapping techniques to figure out where in the genome each clone belongs.

● Next they cut each clone into smaller, overlapping pieces the right size for sequencing—about 500 BP each. Finally, they sequence the pieces and use the overlaps to reconstruct the sequence of the whole clone. ● The "whole-genome shotgun" method involves breaking the genome up into small pieces, sequencing the pieces, and reassembling the pieces into the full genome sequence.

Image Courtesy: Thinglinks Significance of Genome Sequencing ● Understands the Virus: The purpose of genome sequencing is to understand the role of certain mutations in increasing the virus’s infectivity. Some mutations explain immune escape or the virus’s ability to evade antibodies which has consequences for vaccines. ● Studying Efficacy: It helps in studying whether the vaccines developed so far are effective against such mutant strains of the virus and if can prevent re•infection and transmission. ● Tracing Mutations: Sequencing of the genomes of viral strains is important from a "know- thy-enemy" point of view as it becomes easier to trace the mutations. Scientists can find mutations much more easily and quickly. ● Developing Vaccines: Knowledge generated through the vital research assists in developing diagnostics and potential therapeutics and vaccines now and for the potential diseases in the future. ● Vital Information: important information and findings can be derived from the Genome sequencing of those who tested positive for COVID.

Challenges in Genome Sequencing in India ● Very High target: The aim was to sequence at least 5% of the samples, the minimum required to keep track of the virus variants. This has so far been only around 1%, primarily due to insufficient reagents and tools necessary to scale up the process.

● Low Capacity: The ten laboratories together have a capacity to sequence about 30,000 samples a month, or 1,000 a day, six times less than what is needed to meet the target. ● Fund crunch: Funding is being delayed repeatedly. INSACOG asked for Rs 100 crore; but it was not until March that any funding arrived and it received Rs 70 crore. ● Sample Collection: The healthcare system is already over stretched and this is one additional task for them to sort and package samples and RNA preparations regularly for shipping in a cold chain to sequencing centres along with recording extensive metadata to make sequence information useful. ● Dependence on Imports: The process of genome sequencing slowed down due to the Atma Nirbhar scheme which banned imports of goods worth less than Rs 200 crore to promote local procurement. Even after the exemption, some special plastics inadvertently remained within the import ban affecting the process. ● International aspect: The poor progress in genome sequencing also affects India’s image abroad, as all countries are required to upload data into a common global repository, called the ‘Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza data’, or GISAID.

Way Forward ● The Number of laboratories should be increased to get the research going at the speed required. The Union Health Minister has announced the opening of 17 more laboratories for the same. ● The data collected from genome sequencing of the virus will further aid in studying linkages between the variants and epidemiological waves (super-spreader events, outbreaks) of the virus.

Comparison of DNA and RNA As both DNA and RNA are used to store genetic information but there are clear differences between them. The following table summarizes the key points:

Comparison DNA RNA

Function Long-term storage of genetic Used to transfer the genetic code information; transmission of from the nucleus to the ribosomes genetic information to make to make proteins. RNA is used to other cells and new transmit genetic information in organisms. some organisms

Structural Features B-form double helix. DNA is A-form helix. RNA usually is a a double-stranded molecule single-strand helix consisting of consisting of a long chain of shorter chains of nucleotides. nucleotides.

Composition of Bases deoxyribose sugar ribose sugar and Sugars phosphate backbone phosphate backbone adenine, guanine, cytosine, adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil thymine bases bases

Propagation DNA is self-replicating RNA is synthesized from DNA on an as-needed basis.

Base Pairing AT (adenine-thymine) AU (adenine-uracil) GC (guanine-cytosine) GC (guanine-cytosine)

Ultraviolet Damage DNA is susceptible to UV Compared with DNA, RNA is damage. relatively resistant to UV damage.

Indian SARS•CoV•2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) ● Established by MOHFW in Dec 2020 ● INSACOG is a consortium of 10 labs across the country tasked with scanning COVID•19 samples from swathes of patients and flagging the presence of variants that were known to have spiked transmission internationally. ● It has also been tasked with checking whether certain combinations of mutations were becoming more widespread in India. ● Aim: To monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.

○ Assist in developing potential vaccines in the future. ○ The NCDC will maintain a database of all samples of the new variants of public health significance. ○ The data will be epidemiologically analysed, interpreted and shared with state/district for investigation, contact tracing and planning response strategies.

Image Courtesy: http://dbtindia.gov.in/insacog Triple Mutant ● The terms double or triple mutants are colloquial. ● Double or triple mutations signify the number of mutations relevant as immune escape mutant. ● B.1.617, initially termed as double mutant, has three new spike protein mutations, namely S: E484Q, L452R and P681R on the background of D614G lineage that was the dominant lineage since last year. ● Technically double or triple mutants refer to the same variant. Global Initiative on Sharing all Influenza data (GISAID) ● It was launched on the occasion of the Sixty-first World Health Assembly in May 2008. ● It is a public platform for sharing genome - sequences by countries. ● In 2010, the Federal Republic of Germany became the official host of the GISAID platform ● It promotes the rapid sharing of data from all influenza viruses and the coronavirus causing COVID-19. ● In 2013, the European Commission recognized GISAID as a research organization and partner in the PREDEMICS consortium, a project on the Preparedness, Prediction and the Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using multidisciplinary approaches.

Source: TH

Facts in News Bao Dhaan Recently, the first consignment of 'Bao Dhaan or Red Rice' was sent to (Geography) the USA from Assam. Key Points ● The red rice is iron-rich and is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer. ○ The rice variety is referred to as 'Bao-dhaan', and it is red due to the presence of anthocyanin. ○ It is an integral part of Assamese food. ○ It has a nutty flavor. ● The red rice is usually eaten unhulled or partially hulled. ● Compared to brown and white rice, it has the highest nutritional value. ● Varieties: Thai Red Cargo rice, Bhutanese red rice, Camargue red rice, and Kerala Matta rice. ● Geographical Conditions: ○ Climate: Warm and humid ○ Temperature: 20°C to 35°C ○ Rainfall: 100 cm ○ Soil: Fertile soil. Delta and valley soils are the most suitable.

Image Courtesy: New Indian Express Jalyukta Shivar Recently, the Mounda tehsil in Maharashtra was turned into a water- Yojana Project surplus tehsil under Jalyukta Shivar Yojana Project. (Government Jalyukta Shivar Yojana Project Schemes) ● Launched in: 2014 ● Launched by: Government of Maharashtra. ● Aim: To make Maharashtra a drought-free state by 2019. ○ To make 5000 villages free of water scarcity every year in regions including Marathwada and adjoining areas of Madhya Maharashtra and large parts of Vidarbha. ● The recent state government has ended this scheme in 2020.

UV Disinfection Recently, CSIR- CSIO has transferred UV Disinfection technology to Technology (S&T) combat SARS-CoV-2 to some indigenous manufacturers. ● There has been increasing evidence for the airborne route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols. ● Airborne transmission is a major risk in indoor settings. UV Disinfection Technology ● The UV-C air duct disinfection system can be used in Air Handling Units (AHUs) like auditoriums, large conference rooms, classrooms, malls, etc. for disinfection ● Purpose: To deactivate the SARS COV-2 virus contained in an aerosol with necessary ventilation measures, necessary safety and user guidelines, and tested Bio-safety standards, etc. ○ An aerosol is a suspension of small liquid droplets or solid particles in the air. ○ The aerosol material exists in the liquid or solid state and is carried by air into the respiratory tract. ● Utility: ○ UV-C deactivates over 99 % of viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other bioaerosols, etc., and ameliorating fungal infections. ○ The UV-C is energy efficient system, improves airflow through coils, enhances indoor air quality, requires less maintenance, easy to retrofit with any existing system having AHU ducts, and has a low initial setup cost. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation ● It is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. ● UV radiation is classified into three primary types: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). ○ These groups are based on the measure of their wavelength, which is measured in nanometers. ○ UVA: ■ Wavelength: 315- 399 nm ■ Absorption Level: Not absorbed by the ozone layer. ○ UVB: ■ Wavelength: 280-314 nm ■ Absorption Level: Mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some do reach the Earth’s surface.

Image Courtesy: Contracting Business Mount Recently, Mount Nyiragongo in Congo sees a volcanic eruption. Nyiragongo Mount Nyiragongo (Geography) ● It is an active stratovolcano. ○ Also known as composite cones and their lower slopes are gentle. ○ Most deadly volcanoes. ○ The largest percentage (60%) of the Earth's individual volcanoes ○ Other examples: Mt. Fuji in Japan, Mt. Mayon in the Philippines, and Mt. Agua in Guatemala. ● Location: Inside Virunga National Park, Congo. ○ Location: Albertine Rift Valley of Great Rift Valley. ○ It is listed in the List of World Heritage in Danger and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. ○ Apart from Mount Nyiragongo, another active volcano Mount Nyamuragira is located here. ○ Here around 1/3 of the world’s wild mountain gorillas are present.

Image Courtesy: IRIS Bonda Tribe The Bonda Tribes is a native tribe in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra (Social Issues) Pradesh. Bonda tribe ● They belong to the Munda ethnic group. ○ Origin: Migrated from Africa about 60,000 years ago. ○ They are the first forest settlers in India. ● They are included among the 75 Primitive Tribal Groups identified by the Government of India. ● Language: Remo (belongs to the Munda branch of the Austroasiatic language family). ○ It is similar to the Gutob language. ● Social Structure: ○ They follow the unfree labor or Goti system, which is known as Gufam by the Bonda people. ○ The dowry system is followed during marriages. ○ Clothing: ■ The Bondas are generally semi-clothed, the women wear thick silver neck bands. ■ Bonda women have their heads shaved and adorned with two types of headbands, called turuba and lobeda. ■ Both men and women wear earrings called limbi.

○ Status of Women: ■ The women enjoy a privileged position. ■ They are the primary workers and providers of food for the community.

Image Courtesy: Journals of India “17+1” Initiative Recently, Lithuania opted for China's 17+1 Project. (IR) 17+1 Project ● Launched in: 2012 as a 16+1 initiative. ○ Become 17+ 1 with the addition of Greece. ● Launched by: China ● Objective: China launched this initiative in the Central and Eastern European Region (CEE), to inject capital, revamp old infrastructure and invest in locals. ○ China considered CEE as its ‘Gateway to Europe’.

Image Courtesy: EUCNC Albania

Viper Rover (S&T) NASA Rover 'VIPER' will search for ice, evaluate the environment on the moon in 2023. Viper Rover ● VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. ● This rover is part of the Artemis programme. ○ It is NASA’s human spaceflight program launched in 2017 to return humans to the Moon, specifically at the lunar south pole region. ● Aim: NASA will explore the dark side of the moon in search of critical water molecules and other sustaining minerals and resources. ● Instruments Onboard: Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrains (TRIDENT) hammer drill, the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo) instrument, the Near- Infrared Volatiles Spectrometer System (NIRVSS), and the Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS).

Image Courtesy: NASA 