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NEO IAS Daily Newsletter

TPS 19 Daily Current Affairs 31st January, 2019 | Prelims Countdown: 122 Days

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Government Interventions ‘The Future of Rail’ Report JRF and SRF

Polity and Governance Land Acquisition Act

Science and Technology Biopolymer

Economy Gold Price Hike

Environment Cow Urine and Global Warming Amur Tiger

Current Affair Capsules Human Space Flight Centre International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements Aber

Map Aided Programme Kondaveedu Fort

PREvious Year Questions Revision Series (Pqrs)-(2017)

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS

‘THE FUTURE OF RAIL’ REPORT

Why in news? Minister of Railways & Coal launched the report “The Future of Rail” of International Energy Agency (IEA).

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About the news Indian railways will have a share of 40 per cent of the total global rail

activity and save around USD 64 billion on fuel bills by 2050 as per the report.

About the report “The Future of Rail” the first-of-a-kind report analyses the current and

future importance of rail around the world through the perspective of its energy and environmental implications.

The report reviews the impact of existing plans and regulations on the future of rail, and explores the key policies that could help to realise an enhanced future rail.

This first ever global report has a focus on India, elaborating on the unique social and economic role of rail in India, together with its great enduring potential, to show how India can extend and update its networks to harness rail at a scope and scale that is unparalleled.

International Energy Agency The IEA is an inter-governmental organization that works to ensure

reliable, affordable and clean energy for its 30 member countries and 8 association countries.

It is a Paris-based autonomous organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Its mission is guided by four main areas of focus 1. Energy security 2. Economic development 3. Environmental awareness 4. Engagement worldwide

It is formed in 1974, after the wake of 1973 oil crisis. The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states, but also works

with non-member countries including India. Please note that India is not a member of IEA. Reports Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP) publication The World Energy Outlook (WEO) JRF AND SRF

Why in news? Government hikes stipend to SRF, JRF research scholars. About the news The government has revised the fellowship amount for junior research

fellows (JRF) by over 20 per cent to Rs 31,000 from the existing Rs 25,000. The senior research fellows (SRF), those who have cleared the JRF and

have a minimum of two years of work experience, will be entitled to get the revised salary of Rs 35,000 per month.

Applicability Those who are working on research and development programmes

funded by the Centre government. JRF candidates pursuing post-graduate degrees in basic science or

those doing graduation or post-graduation degrees in any professional courses after clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) and GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).

Candidates selected through the national level examinations conducted by the Central government departments and their

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agencies, and institutions such as Department of Science & Technology, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Institutes of Technologies, Indian Institutes of Science, Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, etc.

Research assistants, who are pursuing postdoctoral degrees with over three years of research experience, will get a stipend of Rs 47,000 to Rs 54,000 per month.

These scholarships, revised once in four years, have received the lowest hike of 20 per cent since 2010.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

LAND ACQUISITION ACT

Why in news?

The Central government has requested to set up a Constitution Bench for expeditious disposal of issues relating to amendments in the Land Acquisition Act.

About the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013 It regulates land acquisition and lays down the procedure and rules for

granting compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement to the affected persons.

The Act replaced the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The act was controversial mainly because of lack of specific definition

of public purpose – which could even include establishment of business-cum-leisure tourism infrastructure.

The act seeks to ensure the following o The acquisition process is carried out in consultation with local self-

government and gram sabhas, thereby, ensuring least disturbance is caused to the owners of the land and other affected families.

o To ensure that fair compensation is provided to the affected families.

o Make adequate provisions for the rehabilitation and resettlement. o In case of compulsory acquisition, endeavor should be made that

the affected persons are made partners in development so as to ensure a smooth rehabilitation process for them post acquisition.

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to replace the 2013 Act.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

BIOPOLYMER

Why in news? Rajasthan is promoting research in the biopolymer sector with an emphasis on fabrication of new products and generation of more employment opportunities. The initiative will also be linked with the handicraft industry for extending the benefits to both of them.

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About Biopolymers They are polymers developed from living things, bio-degradable and

regarded as the most organic compound in the ecosphere. They are naturally synthesised by living organisms- long chains of

repeating, covalently bonded units, such as nucleotides, amino acids or monosaccharides- like

o Polynucleotides (such as the nucleic acids DNA and RNA), o Polypeptides (that is, proteins) or o Polysaccharides (that is, polymeric carbohydrates).

Biopolymers are classified into o Sugar based Biopolymers o Starch based Biopolymers o Biopolymers based on Synthetic materials o Cellulose based Biopolymers

Types

There are primarily two types of Biopolymer o Obtained from living organisms o Produced from renewable resources by polymerization.

Environmental Benefits

These polymers are carbon neutral and renewable and sustainable. These decrease carbon emissions as carbon dioxide released by the

bio-degradation of these chemical compounds can be reabsorbed by crops grown as a substitute in their place.

It is also compostable which means there is less chance of environmental pollution from this compound. However, the materials composed from this compound are not compostable.

Reduce dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels. It greatly reduces the harmful effect of plastic use on the

environment. Difference between Polymer and Biopolymer Biopolymers and Bioplastics are often confused for one another.

However, these are different materials. Biopolymers are polymers that can be found in or manufactured by,

living organisms or obtained from renewable resources that can be used to manufacture Bioplastics by polymerization.

Bioplastics are the plastics that are created by using biodegradable polymers.

PLUS

Some biopolymers and their source

Biopolymer

Source Applications

Cellulose All Organic matter Mainly present in plant

cell walls

Starch Corn (maize), potatoes, wheat, tapioca (cassava), and some other plants.

It is being used for non-food purposes, like making paper, cardboard, textile sizing, and adhesives.

Collagen Most abundant protein found in mammals.

Gelatin is denatured collagen, and is used

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in sausage casings, capsules for drugs and vitamin preparations, and other miscellaneous industrial applications including photography.

Casein commercially produced mainly from cow's skimmed milk

Used in adhesives, binders, protective coatings, and other products.

Soy Protein and Zein

Soy bean and Corn Used for making adhesives and coatings for paper and cardboard.

Polyesters produced by bacteria commercially on large

scales through fermentation processes

Used in biomedical applications.

Did you know? The most important biopolymer for humans is the DNA. The most common biopolymer is Cellulose. It is also the most abundant

organic compound on Earth comprising of 33% of all plant component.

ECONOMY

GOLD PRICE HIKE

Why in news? The price of gold in the Indian market reached its highest-ever level, hitting the ₹33,800 mark in Mumbai.

What is more on news? All major emerging market currencies including rupee is witnessing a fall in value against gold.

Reasons for the rise in Gold price There are rising uncertainties that threaten to derail the global

economy- which has pushed the investors to take refuge in secure areas such as gold.

Western central banks have been tightening their monetary policy stances – signaling an end to the decade-long recovery since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.

The U.S.-China trade war and the lowered rate of Chinese economic growth have added to fears of a global economic slowdown.

Stock markets around the world continue to trade sideways with increased volatility, and investors seeking financial safety have turned to gold and boosted its price.

Many central banks have been trying to hoard gold to restore confidence in their currencies.

The supply has failed to keep up with growing demand since the fall in gold price after 2012 led to a fall in capital spending by gold miners.

The depreciation in the value of national currencies against gold is also an indication of the increase in inflationary pressures across the globe.

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ENVIRONMENT

COW URINE AND GLOBAL WARMING

Why in news? A study conducted by the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia says that cow urine contribute to global warming.

Summary of major findings The urine from the ruminant is a source of nitrous oxide emissions (N2O),

a gas that is 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. When cow urine is used in degraded pastures, N2O emissions are

tripled. Degraded grasslands emitted more N2O than healthy pastures

because the vegetation in the latter took up some of the reactive nitrogen compounds and only the leftovers were emitted.

Why is the findings significant for India? Dung and urine are commonly mixed together for manure in Indian

fields. India also hosts the world’s largest livestock population, as well as

significant tracts of degraded land. Hence, the findings may have a bearing on nitrogen emissions from

Indian fields. A 2012 satellite study by the Indian Space Research Organisation

(ISRO) said that about 30% of India’s geographical area is degraded. States showing increases in degradation are Delhi, Tripura, Nagaland,

Himachal Pradesh and Mizoram (11.03%-4.34%).

AMUR TIGER

Why in news? Dublin Zoo in Ireland has announced the birth of two Amur tiger cubs to first-time parents Tundra and Ussuri after a gestation period of 15 weeks. About Amur Tiger The Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is the largest big cat in the

world. They were earlier called as Siberian tigers. They are the largest and heaviest of all cats with the thickest fur. Habitat The Amur tiger is the only subspecies that have adapted to live in the

harsh, cold northern climate. The Amur leopard shares its last remaining habitat in Southwest

Primorye in the Russian Far East and Northeast China. The Amur tiger’s range once included former Manchuria in China and

the Korean peninsula. Threats Human – Tiger Conflict Poaching

o Human-caused mortality accounts for 75-85% of all Amur tiger deaths.

o The cats are killed for their fur and body parts which are used in some traditional medicines and ornaments.

Forest Fires Logging

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The creation of logging roads increases access and disturbance and leads to increased poaching and fire frequency.

Inbreeding Conservation Status In the 1940s, extensive hunting drove the species to the brink of

extinction, with no more than 40 tigers remaining in the wild. Their numbers began to increase after Russia became the first country

to grant them protection. Endangered under IUCN Red List. CURRENT AFFAIR CAPSULES

HUMAN SPACE FLIGHT CENTRE

ISRO launches Human Space Flight Centre at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.

It shall be responsible for implementation of GAGANYAAN Project which involves end-to-end mission planning, development of Engineering systems for crew survival in space, crew selection & training and pursue activities for sustained human space flight missions.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE PERIODIC TABLE OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS

UNESCO launched the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements at UNESCOs Headquarters, Paris.

Events and activities will be held throughout the year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the organisation of the periodic table by Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev, one of the fathers of modern chemistry.

ABER

It is a common digital currency launched by the central banks of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

It will be used in financial settlements between the two countries through Blockchains and Distributed Ledgers technologies.

MAP AIDED PROGRAMME

KONDAVEEDU FORT

Why in news? Buddhist remains found in Kondaveedu fort was dated back to Satvahana period.

About the News A Buddhist circular stupa and pillared pavilion (sila mandapa) have

been unearthed under the ‘garbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctorum) of Sivalayam (siva temple) at the fort.

The remains were earlier dated back to Ikshvaku period – by a lotus flower design representing the mature phase of typical Amaravathi School of Art.

A beautiful sculptural panel depicting animals and floral motifs in Ikshvaku idiom was also recovered from the foundations of the stupa, along with a Brahmi label inscription.

However, now the Brahmi inscriptional evidence, it is emphasised that Buddhism existed on Kondaveedu fort from Satavahana period.

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About Kondaveedu Fort It is a hill fortress located right in the heart of a reserve

forest in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. The Kondaveedu fort was a well-fortified city and was

the capital during the reign of Reddy kings and later used by the French and the British as a garrison.

It was constructed during the time of Telugu Chodas and was occupied by Kakatiya Ganapati Deva.

It was bone of contest between Vijayangara and Golconda kingdoms – both Krishnadevaraya and Quli Qutb Shah capturing and recapturing it.

Efforts are in progress to classify Kondaveedu Fort as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS REVISION SERIES (PQRS)-(2017) 1. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972,

what does it imply? (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to

prevent its extinction. (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.