UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 21-09-2024

Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

India has achieved Tier 1 status in Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

• Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) – It measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level to raise awareness of the importance and different dimensions of the issue.
• Publisher - International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• Pillars of GCI – It assesses national efforts based on five pillars.
  • Legal
  • Technical
  • Organizational
  • Capacity Development
  • Cooperation.

• Evaluation – It is based on 83 questions, covering 20 indicators, 64 sub-indicators, and 28 micro-indicators.

• Performance of India - India’s Scored 98.49 out of 100 in GCI 2024  .
• Tier 1 Status - India joins the ranks of ‘role-modelling’ countries, demonstrating a strong commitment to cybersecurity practices across the globe.

• Nodal Department for India - Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications.

Reference

PIB | Global Cybersecurity Index 2024

Third Advance Estimates of Horticultural Crops for 2023-24

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has released the Third Advance Estimates of 2023-24 of Area and Production of various Horticultural Crops.

• Horticulture production 2023-24 - It is estimated to be about 353.19 million Tonnes, decrease of about 22.94 Lakh Tonnes (0.65%) over 2022-23 (Final Estimates).
• Production of Fruits, Honey, Flowers, Plantation Crops, Spices and Aromatics & Medicinal Plants were increased.

• Production of Fruits - It is expected to increase by 2.29 % over 2022-23 i.e. to 112.73 million Tonne.
• Major contributors - Production of mango, banana, lime/lemon, grapes, custard apple have increased.
• Production of apple, sweet orange, mandarin, guava, litchi, pomegranate, pineapple are expected to decrease as compared to 2022-23.
• Production of Vegetables - It is envisaged to be around 205.80 million Tonnes.
• Increase is expected in production of tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, tapioca, bottle gourd, pumpkin, carrot, cucumber, bitter gourd, parwal.
• Decrease in production is envisaged in potato, onion, brinjal, elephant foot yam, capsicum, and other vegetables.
• Production of Onion – It is expected to be at 242.44 Lakh Tonne in 2023-24.
• Potato production - It is expected to around 570.49 Lakh Tonne in 2023-24.
• It is, mainly due to decrease in production reported in Bihar and West Bengal.
• Production of Tomato – It is expected to be 213.20 Lakh Tonne in 2023-24 compared to around 204.25 Lakh Tonne last year, an increase by 4.38.

Reference

PIB | Third Advance Estimates of 2023-24 Horticultural Crops

Rare Dung Beetle Species

Recently, a new dung beetle species has been identified from elephant waste in a bamboo-dominated secondary forest near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya.

• Dung Beetles – They are beetles that feed on faeces.
• Scientific name - Onitis bordati

Onitis bordati stands out due to its unique context, as it was located in elephant faeces, in contrast to the discoveries of other species in Assam and Karnataka, which were associated with cattle waste.

• Range – Previously, it was found only in Vietnam and Thailand.

Dung Beetle Species was previously unknown in the Indian subcontinent. The discovery marks the 1^st documented occurrence of the species in India, expanding its known range.

• Features - Some can bury dung under the soil upto 250 times their weight in a single night to lay their eggs and extract micronutrients.
• The species belonging to the genus Onitis are tunnellers.
• Males of most species possess unique forelegs that are elongated, slender, and curved, often featuring teeth or spines.
• Ecological functions – They also roll dung to their burrows over considerable distances, which aids in soil fertility.
• It helps in seed dispersal, nutrient recycling, pest regulation, and plant growth enhancement.
• Threats - Habitat loss and climate change
• Conservation - Engaging local communities in protecting the rich biodiversity found in regions like Assam and Meghalaya
• Significance of its discovery – It underscores the significance of preserving the natural habitats of northeastern India.
• With this discovery, the number of Onitis species in the subcontinent has increased to 20, and the total for the Oriental region has reached 26.

Reference

The Hindu| Dung Beetle Specie