National Current Affairs – UPSC/KAS Exams- 27th October 2018

Migratory birds start arriving at Chilika

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In news: Migratory birds have started arriving at the wetlands of Odisha’s Chilika Lake,one of the largest wintering grounds in Asia, but not in their usual numbers this year.

About Chilika Lake:

• Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal.
• It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world after The New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia.
• It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
• The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands.
• The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here.
• These birds travel great distances; migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika Lake.
• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

Threats to the Eco system:

• Siltation due to littoral drift and sediments from the inland river systems
• Shrinkage of water surface area
• Choking of the inlet channel as well as shifting of the mouth connecting to the sea
• Decrease in salinity and fishery resources
• Proliferation of fresh water invasive species and
• An overall loss of biodiversity with decline in productivity adversely affecting the livelihood of the community that depended on it

Source:Hindu

Farm loan waiver not a permanent solution

Topic: Indian Economy

In news: Vice-President said free power and farm loan waivers cannot be a permanent solution to the problems in the agriculture sector. He warned that populist poll promises could be damaging in the long term.

 Problems associated with Farm loan waiver:

• The biggest issue with loan waivers is that it promotes irresponsible behaviour. Consider the case of two farmers. One farmer has been diligent with his/her money and has made all repayments on time. On the other hand, the second farmer has not made any repayments on time.
• However, due to political pressure, the second farmer is also able to discharge his debt without making any payment. Obviously, this would leave a bad taste in the mouth of the first farmer. The next time, the first farmer will also start obtaining loans and willfully defaulting on them. Later, these farmers can also use the political clout of the farming community to escape without paying the debt.
• Banks cannot lose money on their loans. If they have made loans, then they have to recover the money somehow. Hence, if the farmers are not able to pay back the loans, the government has to step in and make the payments.
• The problem is that the government itself does not have the money to pay the loans. The government makes the payment by borrowing money from financiers. This money adds to the national debt and has to be paid back with interest. Many economists are concerned that farm loan waivers will have an adverse effect on the already fragile fiscal deficit situation in India. The problem with farm loan waivers is that it puts more pressure on the tax payers in India.
• The problem with farm loan waivers is not the amount of money which is spent. Instead, the manner in which this money is spent is incorrect. If the waivers given by all governments are combined, the amount of money spent will exceed the amount of money spent in building agricultural infrastructure. This is inefficient utilization of resources.
• Had the money been spent on infrastructure instead, the need for farm loan waivers would have been drastically reduced in the future. At the present moment, the state has already lost a lot of money. However, the problem has still not been fixed. Farm loan waiver is simply a populist move meant to garner more votes. From an economic point of view, it is a complete disaster.
• Crop insurance is an effective way of preventing farmer insolvencies due to poor monsoons. This model is successfully working in many parts of the world where the economy is dependent on agriculture.
• If the government wants to help the farmers, it can subsidize the payment of insurance premiums and encourage enrolment into this scheme. At the present moment, many farmers are taking farm loans for non-agricultural purposes. Later, they blame the weather and the poor yield to apply political pressure and to get the loans waived off.
• To sum it up, farm loan waivers are not good for the economy. They benefit one section of the economy at the expense of everyone else. Such schemes are likely to promote more delinquency since people will start believing that they can get away with non-payment of loans.

Source:The Hindu

7 suspected anthrax cases in A.P.

Topic: Health

In news:Personnel of the Animal Husbandry Department said that 18 cows and buffaloes and six sheep had died due to Anthrax at A.P. Seven villagers were suspected to have symptoms of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis).

About Anthrax:

• Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Symptoms begin between one day and two months after the infection is contracted.
• The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black centre. The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
• The intestinal form presents with diarrhoea which may contain blood, abdominal pains, and nausea and vomiting. The injection form presents with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection.
• Anthrax is spread by contact with the bacterium’s spores, which often appear in infectious animal products. Contact is by breathing, eating, or through an area of broken skin.
• It does not typically spread directly between people. Risk factors include people who work with animals or animal products, travellers, postal workers, and military personnel.
• Diagnosis can be confirmed based on finding antibodies or the toxin in the blood or by culture of a sample from the infected site.
• Anthrax vaccination is recommended for people who are at high risk of infection. Immunizing animals against anthrax is recommended in areas where previous infections have occurred.
• Two months of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and doxycycline after exposure can also prevent infection. If infection occurs treatment is with antibiotics and possibly antitoxin.
• The type and number of antibiotics used depends on the type of infection. Antitoxin is recommended for those with widespread infection

Source:The Hindu

India – Myanmar Transport Connectivity Projects

Topic: International Relations

IN NEWS: The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways,held a meeting with the Myanmar Minister for Communication and Transport to discuss the progress of the ongoing India Myanmar Transport Connectivity Projects.

More on the Topic:

• The two sides discussed the status of the project for upgradation of the Kalewa-Yagyi stretch of the India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway, starting Imphal-Mandalay bus service and a bilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement between the two countries.
• The upgradation of the Kalewa-Yagyi stretch of IMT is being executed by National Highways Authority of India. NHAI informed that the project is running well within time and they hope to complete it before the scheduled date of completion.
• India and Myanmar had operationalized the Land Border Crossing Agreement earlier this year. The agreement allows nationals from the two countries holding valid passport and visa to cross over without requiring special permission. Now both countries have to select bus operators to run the service.
• Once the service starts, bus from India will take passengers to Myanmar border where they will transfer to the bus run by Myanmar operator for travelling further into Myanmar. Likewise, India bound Myanmar nationals will transfer into bus run by Indian operator for further travel into India.
• Both countries expressed their eagerness to further carry forward the process of connectivity by signing a bilateral Motor Vehicles Agreement for seamless movement of cargo and passenger movement.

Source:The Hindu

Women of India National Organic Festival

Topic: Agriculture

In news: The 5th edition of the ‘Women of India National Organic Festival’ was inaugurated by Smt. Maneka Gandhi.

About Women of India National Organic Festival:

• The Festival celebrates and promotes women entrepreneurs/producers and farmers in the organic field from across India.
• This is the 5 th time in the last 4 years that the organic Festival has been successfully organised and every year it has been well received by people with increasing demand for such products by spreading awareness.
• This is Women and Child Development ministry’s effort to be a part of what can be done to change the world and at the same time empower our Women’.
• Participants from the remotest parts of the country get the opportunity of selling their healthy and wholesome goods to the people of Delhi and surrounding areas.
• In addition to the organic extravaganza on offer, there will also be cultural performances during the 10-day festival, focusing on folk music and dance. Visitors will be able to enjoy and be a part of soulful Baul music and scintillating performances from the North-East, Punjab and Rajasthan, to name a few.

Indian Organic Market:

• The demand for Indian organic products is constantly increasing worldwide. India exported organic products worth $515 Million in financial year 2017-18. At present, the country is home to more than 8,35,000 organic producers, 699 processors and 669 exporters. It is also home to more than 30% of total number of organic producers (2.7 million) in the world.Overall, the income and savings of a farmer using exclusively organic methods in agriculture increases by over 50% since there is no investment in costly chemical pesticides, fertilizers and preservatives.

Source:The Hindu

Vigilance Awareness Week 2018

Topic: Governance

In news: Vigilance Awareness Week 2018 to be observed from 29th Oct-3rd November. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) observes the Vigilance Awareness Week every year during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31st October) falls.

More on the Topic:

• This week, through its various outreach activities, it seeks to motivate stakeholders to collectively participate in the fight against corruption and also aims at raising public awareness regarding the detrimental consequences of corruption.
• This year, the Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 29th October to 3rd November, 2018 on the theme “Eradicate Corruption-Build a New India.
• “Awareness Gram Sabhas” are also organized for dissemination of awareness in Gram Panchayats (in rural and semi-urban areas) to sensitize the rural citizens about the ill-effects of corruption.
• Seminars, discussions and other outreach events are also organized involving the private sector, professional associations, trade unions and associations for wide participation of all sections of civil society.
• Organizations also conduct activities with high visibility and public appeal such as walkathons, marathons, cycle rallies, human chains, street plays and other public functions in various cities and towns across the country.
• Many organizations would be extensively using social media platforms , bulk SMS/E-mail, Whatsapp, electronic and print media etc. for spreading awareness.

Source: Pib