Prelim Bits 19-03-2024 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Tiger Conservation Landscape (TCL) 3.0

NASA satellite imagery and Google Earth Engine computing power are helping scientists develop a real-time monitoring system for tiger habitat globally.

• Initiative by – TCL 3.0 is a joint initiative of the NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Google Earth Engine.
• TCL 3.0 represents the third iteration of assessing tiger habitat across Asia and where tigers still occur.
• Goal – To monitor changes in real time to help stabilize tiger populations across the range.
• Uses – TCL 3.0 uses Earth observations such as VIIRS, MODIS and Landsat products.
• TCL 3.0 uses geographic information systems, known as GIS.
  • GIS is a technology that interprets and visualizes spatial data, such as how landscapes have changed over time, population densities, or the distance between different locations.
• Helps in – This helps in holistically seeing the impact of human activity on the critical habitats of tigers.

The TCL 3.0 program is a system that is open sources, meaning it can be applied not only to tigers, but to any species of concern.

• Provides – TCL 3.0, the mapping system provides tiger-range countries the information they need to identify priority areas, and monitor changes in the habitat and populations.
• Platform for governments to align with global initiatives, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goals, to address the challenges facing our ecosystems.

Groups at the Wildlife Conservation Society (one of the organizations that provided funding for the project) are already working on similar maps for vulnerable and threatened animals including lions, jaguars and bison.

• Working of TCL 3.0 – Satellites provide constant, high-resolution imagery, which is used to analyze suitable landscapes from space.
• This data does not show what is going on under the tree canopy.
• Hence, the second layer of data comes from human footprint analysis, data collected from field surveys about the spread of urban areas and human activities.

Unlike previous versions, the map can be updated when new information becomes available.

References

1. CNN – How NASA and Google Earth are helping save tigers
2. News Nation – NASA, Google Earth assists with tiger conservation

Land acquisition for Tiger Reserve (TR)

In a first, the Tamil Nadu forest department has acquired 30.41 acres of erstwhile private patta land, situated in the core area of Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR).

• The land was acquired through private negotiation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
• A sum of Rs 2.33 crore was paid to seven land owners, who volunteered to surrender their land.
• This is the first time in India where the state government has purchased private land for non-commercial use towards forest and biodiversity conservation.

• The land acquired by the state government is locally known as Yegan Raja Board.
• The titular Yegan Raja had been a lumberjack who assembled a sizable crew to work for British officers.
• He had exploited the forests for British officers, who in return arranged lands for him from the Gandamanur zamindar.
• The land has been passed on to various others since then.

Reference

The New Indian Express – TN acquires patta land in tiger reserve for conservation

World Air Quality Report 2023

Delhi world's most polluted capital, India has 3rd worst air quality – World Air Quality Report.

• Released by – Swiss organisation IQAir.
• IQAir – A Swiss air quality technology company, prepares the annual world air quality reports based on data from monitoring stations operated by governments, institutions and organisations across the world.
• Data – Report includes 7,812 locations in 134 countries, regions and territories.

Causing an estimated one in every nine deaths worldwide, air pollution is the greatest environmental threat to human health.

• Key Findings – India had the third-worst air quality out of 134 countries in 2023 after Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• PM2.5 Concentration – India (54.4 micrograms per cubic metre), Bangladesh (79.9 micrograms per cubic metre) and Pakistan (73.7 micrograms per cubic metre).
• In 2022, India was ranked as the eighth most polluted country with an average PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre.

According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide every year.

• Delhi – Delhi's PM2.5 levels worsened from 89.1 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023, taking it to the top spot in the world's most polluted cities list.
• The national capital was ranked the most polluted capital city in the world four times on the trot starting in 2018.
• Begusarai – Begusarai, in Bihar stood out as the most polluted metropolitan area globally with an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic metre.
• The city did not even figure in the 2022 rankings.

It is estimated that 1.36 billion people in India experience PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended annual guideline level of 5 micrograms per cubic metre.

• Impact – Exposure to PM2.5 air pollution leads to and exacerbates numerous health conditions, including but not limited to asthma, cancer, stroke and lung disease.
• Exposure to elevated levels of fine particles can impair cognitive development in children, lead to mental health issues, and complicate existing illnesses, including diabetes.

The IQAir report for 2022 had stated that roughly 60% of cities in India had recorded annual PM2.5 levels at least seven times higher than the WHO guidelines (annual guideline level at 5 micrograms per cubic metre).

References

1. Indian Today – Delhi world’s most polluted capital
2. Business Standard – Begusarai of Bihar, most polluted city in the world
3. Live Mint – India’s pollution worsens

Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024

The Centre has notified a set of rules called the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 that liberalise the conditions under which elephants may be transferred within or between states.

• Released by – The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
• Until August 2022, the Wildlife Protection Act explicitly prohibited the trade in wildlife including both wild and captive elephants.
• However amendments to the Act brought in an exemption that for the first time allowed captive elephants to be transferred.

• Rules – Captive elephants can be transferred when an owner is no longer in a position to maintain the elephant, the elephant will likely have a better upkeep than in the present circumstances.
• Chief Wildlife Warden – Otherwise, when a state’s Chief Wildlife Warden deems it fit and proper in the circumstances of the case for better upkeep of the elephant.
• Before a transfer within the state, an elephant’s health has to be ratified by a veterinarian and the Deputy Conservator of Forests must establish that the animal’s current habitat and prospective habitat are suitable.
• The Chief Wildlife Warden on receipt of such documents may choose to reject or approve the transfer.
• If the transfer involves moving the elephant outside of a state, similar conditions apply.
• Genetic profile – Before a transfer is effected, the genetic profile of the elephant has to be registered with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Elephant exemption

• The elephant being transferred ought to be accompanied by a mahout and an elephant assistant
• A health certificate from a veterinary practitioner to the effect that the elephant is fit for transport and is not showing any sign of musth or infectious or contagious disease, is to be obtained
• The transport shall be carried out after the mandatory quarantine period as advised by the veterinary practitioner is over, in case of contagious disease
• The elephant shall be properly fed and given water before loading
• Necessary arrangements shall be made to provide food and water to the elephant en route
• Tranquilisers/sedatives shall be used to control nervous or temperamental elephants upon prescription by the veterinary practitioner.
• Committee – A Parliamentary Committee, led by Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Jairam Ramesh, had recommended the deletion of this exemption clause for elephants.
• It also recommended providing only an exemption for elephants owned by temple trusts.
• Final Version of the Act – The final version of the amended act, however retains the clause on allowing the movement of captive elephants.
• However only animals with an existing certificate of ownership may be moved.

The government of India in the year 2010 declared Elephant as the national heritage animal of the country on the recommendations of the standing committee of the national board for wildlife.

References

1. The Hindu – Centre notifies rules for transfer of ‘captive’ elephants
2. India Today – Centre releases new rules for captive elephant mobility
3. Hindustan Times – Captive elephant transfer rules notified

Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG)

Army raises elite unit to work on critical technologies having military applications.

• STEAG will undertake research and evaluation of futuristic communication technologies like 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and quantum computing for military use.
• STEAG will be headed by a Colonel rank officer.
• STEAG is mandated to nurture technologies spanning the complete spectrum of wired and wireless systems.
• It will carry out technical scouting, evaluation, development, management of core ICT solutions, and provide user interface support by maintenance and upgradation of contemporary technologies available in the environment.
• The setting up of STEAG is part of the Army's efforts to develop technologies considering the future battlefield.
• STEAG will help bridge the divide between the armed forces on the one hand and industry and academia on the other.
• STEAG is aligned with the tenets of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Start-Up India.

References

1. The Hindu – Army raises elite unit to work on critical technologies
2. Times of India – Army raises elite tech unit
3. Economic Times – Indian Army establishes elite tech unit STEAG