UPSC Daily Current Affairs

India and the Bonn Challenge

Apr 24, 2024

What is the Bonn Challenge? The Bonn Challenge was launched in 2011.It is a global initiative aimed at restoring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030. It seeks to enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and support sustainable development through forest and landscape restoration. What commitment has India made to the Bonn Challenge... Read More...

LDN: UNCCD's Strategy for Sustainable Land Use

Apr 23, 2024

What is Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)? Land Degradation Neutrality is a state in which the amount and quality of land resources necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security remain stable or increase within specified time and geography and ecosystems. Why is LDN important? LDN is crucial because it aims to halt the ongoing loss of productive land by balanc... Read More...

India: Combating Land Degradation and Desertification

Apr 23, 2024

What national goals does the National Forest Policy (NFP) of 1988 set? The National Forest Policy of 1988 aims for a minimum of one-third of India's total land area to be covered by forest or tree cover. This goal supports the broader objectives of environmental stability, maintenance of ecological balance, and conservation of natural heritage. What are some of the major schemes implemente... Read More...

The Changwon Initiative: Combatting Land Degradation

Apr 23, 2024

It emerged as a significant outcome from the United Nations Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (COP10) held in Changwon, South Korea: What is the Changwon Initiative? The Changwon Initiative is a strategic framework established to support the global target of achieving "zero net land degradation." It focuses on transforming the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) into practical actions and measurable outcomes to stabilize the quantity ... Read More...

UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Apr 23, 2024

What is the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration? The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, running from 2021 to 2030, is a global initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Its goal is to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. This initiative covers both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and aims to massively scale up restoration efforts globally. Read More...

LARGEST DESERTS IN THE WORLD

Apr 23, 2024

Deserts, defined by their extremely low precipitation (less than 10 inches or 250 millimeters annually), vary from the subtropical with mild winters and hot summers to polar regions characterized by cool summers and very cold winters. Below is a list of the ten largest deserts in the world, showcasing a diverse range of climates and geographical features: Antarctica - 5,500,000 square miles (14,000,000 square kilometers): As the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, it is mostly covered by ice and hosts minimal human habitation. Arctic Desert - 5,400,000 sq... Read More...

Great Green Wall of Africa

Apr 23, 2024

What is the Great Green Wall? The Great Green Wall is an African-led initiative aimed at combating the effects of climate change and desertification in the Sahel region of Africa. It involves the restoration of 100 million hectares of land across 11 countries by 2030. Why was the Great Green Wall initiative launched? The initiative was launched in response to the increasing threat of desertification, which was encroa... Read More...

EVERYDAY APPLICATIONS OF CRYOGENICS

Apr 23, 2024

Cryogenics, while often associated with complex scientific research and industrial applications, also has significant uses in everyday life. Here are some common applications: 1. Medical Technologies: Cryogenics is crucial in the field of medical diagn... Read More...

Cryogenics: The Basics

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is cryogenics? Cryogenics is the study of how materials behave at very low temperatures, typically below -153 degrees Celsius. It involves understanding and manipulating the properties of substances at these extreme conditions. ... Read More...

DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDOR IN INDIA

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC)? The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) is a massive railway infrastructure project undertaken by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL). It consists of two main corridors: the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC), spanning a total length of approximately 2,843 km across India.a 2. What are the primary... Read More...

DOXXING: THE CYBER CRIME

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is doxxing? Doxxing involves the unauthorized sharing or publication of private information about an individual, typically online. This information can include home addresses, phone numbers, email IDs, and other sensitive details that can lead to harassment or even physical harm. 2. What motivates someone to dox another person? Motivations can vary... Read More...

FOOD INFLATION IN INDIA

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is food inflation? Food inflation refers to the increase in the prices of food items over time. It measures how much more expensive food has become compared to a previous reference period. 2. Why are food prices in India rising? Several factors contribute to rising food prices in India, including supply chain disruptions, weather-related impacts like droughts or floods, rising fuel cos... Read More...

FALLING FERTILITY RATES IN ASIA

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is the total fertility rate (TFR)? The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is an estimate of the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime. A TFR of 2.1 is considered the replacement level, necessary to keep a population stable without immigration. 2. Why are fertility rates falling in many Asian countries? The decline in fertility rates in Asian countries can be attributed to several factors, inc... Read More...

EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD

Apr 23, 2024

1. What is Earth's magnetic field? Earth's magnetic field, also known as the geomagnetic field, is generated from deep within the planet's interior and extends out into space, forming a protective region called the magnetosphere. This field is crucial for protecting life on Earth by shielding us from the solar wind—streams of charged particles emitted by the sun. 2. How is Earth's magnetic field generated... Read More...

Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules in India 2024

Apr 23, 2024

WHAT RECENT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE SURROGACY (REGULATION) RULES IN INDIA? In February 2024, the Indian government amended the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules to allow the use of donor gametes for married couples if one partner has a medical condition that necessitates it. Read More...