UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 26-12-2024

Obesity Pandemic & Weight Loss Drugs

Why in News?

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists have endorsed a weight loss drugs for controlling obesity.

• Obesity – It is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health.
• Diagnosis – It is made by measuring people’s weight and height by calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI).
• BMI categories – For defining obesity vary by age and gender,

• Globally, 1 in 8 people were living with obesity in 2022.
• In India, there were 44 million women and 26 million men living with obesity in 2022.
• Impacts – It increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
• It affects bone health and reproduction and it increases the risk of certain cancers.
• Globesity – An escalating global epidemic of overweight and obesity called as “globesity” is taking over many parts of the world.
• It elevated to greater levels during the times of COVID Pandemic.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists

World Health Organization (WHO) have endorsed a new class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

• Role – A class of medications utilized to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.
• Composition – It includes drugs such as Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, which have the potential to be transformative.
• Working – It mimics a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar levels.
• It lowers serum glucose levels and thereby manage metabolism in affected patients.
• Objectives – Identify the mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
• Assess the potential adverse effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
• Differentiate the proper administration techniques for GLP-1 analogs and the clinical monitoring necessary for patients prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists.

WHO is currently in the process of drafting guidelines for the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with obesity, likely to be published in July 2025.

References

1. The Indian Express| Obesity Pandemic & Weight Loss Drugs
2. World Health Organization (WHO)| Obesity and its Symptoms
3. National Library of Medicine| GLP-1 receptor agonists

Ken-Betwa River linking project

Why in News?

Recently , Foundation for Ken-Betwa river-linking project has been laid.

• Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) - It involves transferring surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa river in Uttar Pradesh , both the river are tributaries of Yamuna.
• It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.

In 2021, a memorandum of agreement was signed among the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to implement the Ken-Betwa Link Project.

• States concerned – Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

• Phases- The project has two phases, with four components.
• Phase I - It involves construction of Daudhan Dam, Ken-Betwa Link Canal and power houses.
  • Ken-Betwa Link Canal – It will be 221 km in length, including a 2-km tunnel.
  • Daudhan dam irrigation project - The project involves building a 77-metre tall and a 2-km wide Dhaudhan dam.
  • It will be constructed inside the Penna Tiger Reserve.
• Phase-II – It consists of Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project and Kotha Barrage.
• Special Purpose Vehicle - An SPV called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up to implement the project.
• Time period - KBLP project is proposed to be implemented in eight years.
• Benefits - The project is expected to
  • Provide annual irrigation to 10.62 lakh hectares (8.11 lakh ha in MP and 2.51 lakh ha in UP) of land in Bundelkhand region.

Bundelkhand region spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

• • Supply drinking water to about 62 lakh people.
  • Generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
• Issue - Submergence of around 98 sq. km of Panna national park.
• Felling of about two to three million trees.

Reference

The Indian Express | Ken Betwa Project

National Ayush Mission (NAM)

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Ayush launched a film series titled “Ayush for All: Holistic Health Care through National Ayush Mission” on National Ayush Mission (NAM).

• National Ayush Mission (NAM) – It  is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2014 for implementing through States/UTs.
• Aim :
  • To strengthen Ayush healthcare services.
  • Promote preventive care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
  • Integrate Ayush systems into mainstream public health.
  • Development of Ayush educational institutions.

• Funding Pattern
  • For North Eastern States and Himalayan States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir -  Centre 90% and State 10%
  • For the rest of the States and UTs -  Center 60% and State 40%.
• Performance-based budgeting - In order to incentivize good performing States/UTs, performance-based budgeting has been made.
• Achievements -  Supported for the establishment of,
  • 167 Integrated Ayush Hospitals
  • 416 upgraded Ayush Hospitals
  • 5036 dispensaries
  • 16 new Ayush educational institutions
  • 3883 Yoga Wellness Centres
  • 1055 Ayush Grams
  • 12,500 Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush).
• Essential Ayush medicines were supplied to 996 hospitals and 12,405 dispensaries each year.
• Significance – It is a significant initiative in revolutionizing healthcare delivery in distant corners of the country.
• It is bridging the gap in healthcare access, promoting a holistic wellness model and continues to transform lives.
• These initiatives are transforming public health and improving access to preventive and promotive care across the nation.

References

1. PIB| Film Series on National Ayush Mission (NAM)
2. NAM| About National Ayush Mission (NAM)

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Why in News?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has told the Supreme Court that two structures inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park bear religious significance.

• Mehrauli Archaeological Park - It is an archaeological area spread over 200 acre in the Mehrauli neighbourhood of the South Delhi district of Delhi.
• It is Located adjacent to the Qutub Minar (a World Heritage Site) and the Qutb complex.
• It houses over 50 historically significant monuments built by different rulers of Delhi.
• Uniqueness – It's the only area in Delhi that has seen 1,000 years of continuous occupation.
• From the Tomar Rajputs to the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodhis, Mughals, and even the British Raj.

References

1. The Hindu| Structures inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park
2. Incredible India| Mehrauli Archaeological Park