October 23, 2023

Current Affairs

Bat genomes can provide insights into immunity and cancer

Context: Bats can host a wide variety of pathogens, including ones deadly to other mammals, but they themselves do not get infected. Scientists have been curious about the source of this protection.

Facts about Bats

Bats are the only mammals on the earth that can maintain sustained flight.
They have relatively long life spans and are relatively more protected from a variety of diseases, including cancer.
They have a unique ability in echolocation, whereby they use sound to navigate and locate objects. This frees them from being constrained by the availability of light, unlike humans.
By population, bats make up 20% of all mammals. There are more than 1400 species of bats around the world.
- The bumblebee bat weighs only 2 grams.
- Flying foxes (bats) have a wingspan of 1.5 metres and weigh up to 1.6 kg.
Bats play crucial roles in maintaining the ecological balance and are essential for pollination, insect control, etc.

Bats as reservoirs of pathogens

Bats can act as a reservoir/host for many viruses including coronaviruses, Nipah, Ebola, Marburg virus, and Hendra virus etc.
Despite hosting a wide variety of pathogens, even multiple viruses at the same time, which are deadly to other mammals, bats do not get infected.

Bat genomes

Genome sequencing has become the mainstay of investigations of the viruses that bats carry, also known as the bat virome.
- Bat1K global genome consortium which aims to sequence all the 1400 or so bat species’ genomes is currently underway.
Over the years, researchers have unearthed significant insights by sequencing the genomes of many bat species. (Bats have a relatively small genome with around 2 billion bases).
- On comparing the genomes of a fruit-eating and an insect-eating species, scientists found that genes involved in metabolism and immune response have been positively selected. This means that these bats have evolved by improving these two biological domains.
- Natural selection of a protein called prestin is involved in echolocation (dolphins have the same protein).
- The subsets of genes involved in mounting an immune response – which encode proteins called interferons (IFN) – had contracted significantly in bats. This allowed bats to diminish the pro-inflammatory response against a number of viruses, thus protecting themselves from clinical disease.
- A number of genes involved in suppressing tumours and in repairing DNA contained signs of positive selection. This could contribute to the bats’ longer life span and a significantly lower risk of developing cancer.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is defined as a process in nature through which living organisms adapt and change in response to an environmental condition (climate, temperature, availability of resources, etc.)
There are two types of natural selection in biological evolution: Positive (Darwinian) selection promotes the spread of beneficial alleles, and negative (or purifying) selection hinders the spread of harmful alleles.

Significance

With rapid deforestation, ecological degradation, and increased human-animal interactions, the risk of outbreaks of zoonotic diseases has heightened. (E.g., Nipah outbreaks in Kerala, Marburg disease and Ebola virus in some African countries). Hence, genome sequencing can help humans in understanding the nature of the outbreaks, and deal with them effectively.

Tej now extremely severe cyclone over the Arabian Sea; yellow alert issued for eight districts in Kerala

Context: Cyclone 'Tej', brewing over the Arabian Sea, is expected to transform into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm reported by India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Cyclone Tez

The very severe cyclone, Tej, formed over the Arabian sea intensified into extremely severe cyclone.
It is moving north-westwards, is likely to cross the Yemen coast close to Al Ghaidah as severe cyclonic storm with wind speed of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph.

Impact on India and development of Depression in Bay of Bengal

Kerala is likely to receive isolated heavy rainfall triggered by the weather system over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
A yellow alert has been issued for eight districts from Kollam to Palakkad, warning of isolated heavy rains.
The typical northeast monsoon rain will be absent at least for the next few days as the present weather system over the Bay of Bengal is likely to upset the flow of north-easterlies.
The depression formed over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into deep depression and subsequently into cyclonic storms.
IMD predicted that the cyclonic storm likely to move towards the Andhra Coast and then recurve and move north-eastwards towards Bangladesh and adjoining the West Bengal coast.

Color Coding of Cyclone

To strengthen the early warning system and reduce potential damage due to cyclonic winds, IMD follows a special matrix to decide the color of weather situations.
It is based on the probability of occurrence of the event as well as its impact assessment. The decision of the color also depends on the meteorological factors, hydrological factors, geophysical factors that indicate the risk.

Colour code	Meaning
Green	• All is well. • No adverse weather conditions. • No advisory issued.
Yellow	• Be aware. • Severely bad weather may span across several days • Warning of affecting daily activities.
Orange	• Be prepared. • Warning of extreme damage to communication disruptions. • Sign for evacuation and keeping the basic necessities ready for families.
Red	• Take action. • Threat to life with the worst weather conditions. • Measures are taken to handle the situation along with the help of disaster management response teams

Classification of Tropical cyclone based on Speed

The classification of tropical cyclones based on their speed can vary slightly depending on the region, but they generally follow a pattern related to the sustained wind speeds.

Firecracker industry in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu

Context: The firecracker industry, which was concentrated in Sivakasi, is much more dispersed in Tamil Nadu now with small units, both legal and illegal, coming up across districts. Many of these units’ function with little supervision, monitoring, or official inspections, which has led to a spate of tragedies in recent months.

Fireworks industry in Sivakasi

Sivakasi located in the Virudhnagar district of Tamil Nadu is known as the fireworks capital of India.
The foundation of the fireworks industry in Tamil Nadu was laid down by two Nadar brothers, who were trained in match stick making. Over time, the fireworks industry grew and came to account for 90% of fireworks production in India.
According to the industry association, there are around over one thousand units engaged in firework production in and around Sivakasi providing employment to 8 lakh people.
However, in recent years the fireworks industry in Sivakasi has become dispersed with smaller units (both legal and illegal) coming up all over Tamil Nadu.
Reasons for this trend: High profit margins in the fireworks industry is inducing smaller players and workers engaged in Sivakasi firework plants starting their own plants across Tamil Nadu.
The trend towards smaller firms has resulted in lots of accidents in fireworks industry because of:
- These smaller units operate under the radar with little supervision, monitoring, or official inspections.
- Smaller units have less focus on safety resulting in many accidents due to overstocking of explosive chemicals above the permissible limits, employment of workers without training and sub-leasing of larger firework firms to smaller firework firms which have little or no focus on safety.
- Safety processes such as automation of the dangerous mixing process of chemicals costs about Rs 20-25 lakhs which smaller factories find difficult to invest.
- Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) which is the licensing and regulating authority for large firework units is short-staffed.
- PESO licenses are only issued to firms which handle between 15 to 2000 kg of fireworks.

About Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO)

The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), formerly known as Department of Explosives, since its inception on 05/09/1898, has been serving the nation as a nodal agency for regulating safety of hazardous substances such as explosives, compressed gases, and petroleum.
PESO has its Headquarters at Nagpur in Maharashtra and serves through nine Circle Offices viz Agra, Bhopal, Chennai, Faridabad, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Vadodara, and their subordinate Sub-Circle offices across the country.
It works under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Functions of PESO
PESO’s major work is to administer the responsibilities delegated under the Explosives Act 1884 and Petroleum Act 1934 and the Rules made there under the motto "Safety First."
Administration of following rules under Explosives Act, 1884: Explosives Rules, 2008; Gas Cylinders Rules, 2004; Static & Mobile Pressure Vessels (unfired) rules, 1981; Ammonium nitrate rules, 2012; Acetylene notification of 1983.
Administration of following rules under Petroleum Act, 1934: Petroleum Rules, 2002; Calcium carbide rules, 1987; Cinematographic Film rules, 1948; Inflammable Substance Act, 1952.
Ensure public safety in areas of manufacture, transport, storage, handling etc. of Explosives, Petroleum, Carbide of Calcium, Inflammable substances and Compressed Gases.
Framing National Standards concerning public safety and harmonizing Indian standards with international standards.
Evaluation of new technologies finding applications in hazardous areas for adoption in indigenous conditions within the purview of Explosives Act 1884 and Petroleum Act 1934.
It is licensing and regulating authority for large fireworks units.
Providing operational and technical advice and assistance to Central and State governments, Local bodies, Law Enforcement Agencies, Industry, Trade and end users of these products.
Develop alert, innovative and well-trained workforce.
Scrutiny and approval of site, layout and construction plans for explosive manufacturing & storage, fireworks manufacturing & storage, manufacture of explosives in Bulk mixing and delivery vehicles; Petroleum, Gas cylinder, LPG and CNG storage & filling stations; Petroleum refineries; Petroleum tank lorries; Petroleum & Gas pipelines; Flame proof equipment and calcium carbide storage premises.

Increased Frequency of Earthquakes in Afghanistan

Context: Recent years have seen a series of minor and major earthquake in Afghanistan and adjoining areas. This tries to explain the reasons for the increased seismicity in Afghanistan region.

What is Earthquake?

Earthquake, any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through Earth’s rocks.

Earthquake waves or seismic waves are vibrations generated by an earthquake, explosion, or similar energetic source and propagated within Earth or along its surface. Earthquakes generate four principal types of elastic waves; two, known as body waves (P and S), travel within Earth, whereas the other two, called surface waves (Love and Rayleigh), travel along its surface.

P Waves: It causes the ground to compress and expand, that is, to move back and forth, in the direction of travel.

They are called primary waves because they are the first type of wave to arrive at seismic recording stations.
P waves can travel through solids, liquids, and even gases.

S Waves: It shakes the ground in a shearing, or crosswise, motion that is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

These are the shake waves that move the ground up and down or from side to side.
S waves are called secondary waves because they always arrive after P waves at seismic recording stations.
Unlike P waves, S waves can travel only through solid materials.

L Waves: Love waves have a horizontal motion that moves the surface from side to side perpendicular to the direction the wave is traveling.

Rayleigh Waves: It travels along the free surface of an elastic solid such as the Earth. Their motion is a combination of longitudinal compression and dilation that results in an elliptical motion of points on the surface.

Causes of earthquake

Major causes of earthquake are natural and occur mostly around the plate boundaries due to continuous interaction of plates.

Natural causes

1.Tectonics: tectonic movements associated with plate boundaries are ruptures and faults along the constructive plate boundaries, folding and faulting along the destructive plate boundaries ,this sort of disequilibrium caused due to different types of plate movement and consequently earthquakes of varying degree are caused.

2.Volcanic: Explosive violent gases during process of vulcanicity try to escape upwards and hence they push the crustal surface from below with great force and thus is caused severe earth tremor of high magnitude. Example-Krakatoa volcano of Indonesia caused intense earthquakes.

Anthropogenic causes

Earthquakes are induced by human activities causes earth tremors of serious consequences.

Fracking: Injection of fluids into deep wells (Fracking)- can lubricate existing faults and crack rocks, triggering earthquakes.
Underground nuclear explosions: Detonation of large underground nuclear explosions-will accentuate the fault lines leads to earthquakes. Case study- North Korea’s 2017 nuclear bomb test set off aftershocks that lasted for about eight months after the explosion. The bomb was set off near a previously unmapped fault line, and a first produced a 6.3 earthquake, followed by a magnitude 4 quake just minutes later.
Mining: rocks and other materials are being removed from the Earth that instability in the ground is occurring, which is triggering earthquakes.
Reservoir induced earthquake: Earthquake triggered by the impoundment of water behind the dam of enormous quantity causes isostatic disequilibrium of already adjusted rocks or further augment the already isostatically adjusted rocks below the reservoir or further augment the already fragile structures due to faults and fractures underneath. Examples Koyna dam in India, Hoover dam in USA.

**DISTRIBUTION OF MAJOR EARTHQUAKE REGIONS ALONG THE PLATE BOUNDARIES**

Impact of Earthquake

Geomorphological impact-slope instability and failures leading to landslides, mudflows, and changes river courses.

Structural impact-Failure of roads, bridges, dams, pipelines, railways and embankment, subsidence of lands.

Economic impact-Loss of life and property, cost in rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction.

Tsunami- earthquake on ocean floor leads to Tsunami.

Why Afghanistan and adjoining Himalayan regions witnessing frequent earthquakes.

Afghanistan is located over multiple fault lines in the region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and collides often causing tectonic activity like earthquakes, folding and faulting.
Afghanistan is located on Eurasian plate, towards its west, Arabian plate move northwards and subducts under Eurasian plate whereas towards its east, Indian plates move northward to subduct under Eurasian plate. In southern Afghanistan, Indian and Arabian plate adjoins and both subducts northward under Eurasian Plate.
The collision and convergence of the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate result in the folding and faulting of the Earth’s crust.
The ongoing northward movement of the Indian plate towards the Eurasian plate results in compression, leading to uplift of Himalayas and the transmission of tectonic stress across the entire region, including Afghanistan.
These compression causes the crust to deform and creates faults and fractures that can slip and generate earthquakes.
Afghanistan is also crisscrossed by various active fault systems like the Chaman fault, and the main Pamir thrust. These faults are the source of many earthquakes in the region.

Dhordo is recognised as a Best Tourism Village

Context: Recently, United Nations World Tourism Organisation has included Dhordo village in the list of ‘Best Tourism Village’.

About Dhordo

Dhordo, located in the Banni region within the Rann of Kutch, stands as a symbol of Gujarat's progress and increasing pride.
The village's distinctive round houses, known as bhungas, have gained immense popularity among tourists.
Dhordo is renowned for hosting the three-month-long Rann Utsav, a cultural celebration that highlights the traditional art, music, and crafts of the region.
The Best Tourism Village is awarded to villages that are at the forefront of both nurturing rural areas and preserving the region's landscapes, cultural diversity, and culinary traditions.

About Best Tourism Villages initiative

Introduced in 2021, the UNWTO's Best Tourism Villages initiative is an integral component of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme.
This program is dedicated to fostering development and inclusivity in rural regions, countering depopulation, promoting innovation, enhancing value chain integration through tourism, and advocating sustainable practices.

Villages are assessed across nine essential areas

Cultural and Natural Resources
Promotion and Preservation of Cultural Resources
Economic Viability
Social Viability
Environmental Sustainability
Tourism Advancement and Integration of Value Chains
Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Health, Safety, and Security

Initiative encompasses three key pillars

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO: Acknowledges exceptional rural tourism destinations featuring accredited cultural and natural assets, a dedication to preserving community-based values, and a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability across economic, social, and environmental aspects.
Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Upgrade Programme: Provides support to villages in their journey towards meeting recognition criteria, offering assistance in areas identified as gaps during evaluation.
Best Tourism Villages Network: Serves as a platform for sharing experiences and best practices, learning opportunities, and engagement with members, welcoming contributions from experts and public and private sector partners involved in the promotion of tourism as a catalyst for rural development.

About UNWTO

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism.
Headquarters: Madrid, Spain.
It takes the lead in shaping tourism policies and offers support while serving as a global platform for tourism policy discussions and a valuable source of tourism research and knowledge.
UNWTO encourages the adoption of various initiatives, including the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism Development, Competitiveness, Innovation & Digital Transformation, Ethics, Culture & Social Responsibility.
Official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

Structure

General Assembly: It serves as the primary meeting of the World Tourism Organization, convening every two years to endorse the budget and work plan and to deliberate on significant issues pertaining to the tourism sector. It also elects a Secretary-General every four years. The World Committee on Tourism Ethics operates as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly.
Executive Council: UNWTO's governing board is the Executive Council, responsible for ensuring the Organization fulfills its mission and adheres to its financial plan. It convenes at least twice a year and consists of members chosen by the General Assembly.
Committees: Specialized committees comprised of UNWTO members provide guidance on management and program content. These include the Committee on Budget and Finance, the Sustainable Development of Tourism Committee, and others.
Secretariat: The Secretariat is responsible for executing UNWTO's work program and meeting the requirements of members and affiliate members. The Secretary-General leads this group.