- ENVIRONMENT
MANDYAM SRINIVASAN OF BEE STUDIES FAME FACES MISCOUNDUCT ALLEGATIONS
- Waggle Dance in Bees:
- Definition: A form of communication used by honeybees to convey information about the location of a food source (nectar or pollen).
- Purpose: Bees use the waggle dance to indicate distance and direction to the food source. The straight run in the dance shows the direction relative to the sun, and the duration of the waggle indicates distance.
- Primary Allegation: The report titled “The miscalibration of the honeybee odometer” claims there are inaccuracies in Dr. Srinivasan’s studies on the waggle dance, particularly concerning how bees measure distance through optic flow.
- Data Integrity Concerns: Critics allege issues with data reproducibility, implausible data related to bee flight durations, and inaccuracies in the calibration of data. Critics noted that the small sample sizes and methodological descriptions raised doubts about the validity of the conclusions drawn in the research.
2. ECONOMY
SEBI ALLOWS CATEGORY I, II AIFs TO BORROW
- Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) are a class of pooled investment vehicles regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- These funds collect money from investors to invest in various types of assets according to a defined investment policy.
- AIFs are typically used by high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and other entities looking for alternative investment opportunities outside of traditional options like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
- Types of AIFs:
- Category I AIFs:
- These funds generally invest in startups, early-stage ventures, social ventures, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), infrastructure, or other sectors that are considered economically or socially important.
- Examples include venture capital funds, infrastructure funds, and social venture funds.
- Category II AIFs:
- These include private equity funds, debt funds, or funds of funds that do not leverage, or borrow, other than to meet day-to-day operational requirements.
- They typically invest in a variety of ventures and do not focus on any specific sector or social impact.
- Unlike Category I, these funds do not receive any government incentives or concessions.
- Category III AIFs:
- These are funds that employ diverse or complex trading strategies, including the use of derivatives, to make investments in publicly traded securities. Hedge funds are a common example of Category III AIFs
3. ENVIRONMENT
CLEAN GANGA MISSION HEAD FLAGS SLOW PACE OF PROJECTS
- Namami Gange Mission: Launched in 2015, this mission is one of the most significant and costly environmental projects aimed at cleaning the Ganga River by focusing on sewage management, pollution control, and river rejuvenation. The mission also includes the development of sewage infrastructure in various states along the river.
- Slow Progress:
- Despite the sanctioning of nearly ₹37,550 crore for various projects under the mission, only ₹18,033 crore had been spent as of June 2024. ○ This indicates a significant delay in the execution of planned projects.
- Challenges in Project Implementation:
- The NMCG noted that the expenditure is typically slow in the first quarter of the financial year, with expectations for acceleration in subsequent quarters.
- The mission has executed 112 projects over the past seven years, with a typical annual completion rate of 15 to 16 projects.
4. GEOGRAPHY
HOW THE BANNI GRASSLANDS OF KACHCHH GUJARAT CAN BE RESTORED
- Importance of Banni Grasslands: The Banni grasslands are vital for biodiversity, carbon storage, climate mitigation, and the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these ecosystems.
- The grasslands are under threat due to factors such as deforestation, overgrazing, invasive species, and climate change.
- Study Findings: The researchers categorized the grassland into different zones based on their suitability for restoration, considering various ecological indicators.
- They found that approximately 36% of the grassland was “highly suitable” for restoration, 28% was “moderately suitable,” 7% was “marginally suitable,” and 30% was “not suitable.”
- The study utilized satellite data and advanced geographic information systems (GIS) to assess land suitability and guide restoration efforts.
- Restoration Strategy: The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to restore the grasslands, considering factors such as soil nutrients, topography, and water availability.
- The findings aim to support biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and enhance the resilience of local communities.
- Future Implications: The study’s results are expected to inform legal and regulatory frameworks for sustainable land use and conservation practices in the region.
- The research highlights the importance of ecological assessments in guiding restoration efforts to ensure long-term sustainability.
5. BILATERAL
A CHANGE IN INDIA’S POWER EXPORT RULES
- The Godda power plant project, operated by Adani Power, has significant implications for India-Bangladesh relations.
- Godda Project – First Transnational Power Project: The Godda power plant, operated by Adani Power in Jharkhand, is India’s first project to supply all generated power to another country—Bangladesh.
- Capacity and Agreement: The plant supplies 1,496 MW of power under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in 2017 with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
- Recent Amendment to Power Export Rules
- Objective: The amendment to India’s power export rules allows Indian power exporters to reroute their output to Indian grids if there is a delay in payments from partner countries. This change aims to protect against financial and political risks, particularly in Bangladesh.
- Impact on Existing Contracts: Adani Power has stated that the amendment does not affect the existing contract with Bangladesh, and they remain committed to supplying power.
- Enhancing Regional Cooperation – Policy Alignment: The project aligns with India’s power export guidelines, promoting regional cooperation and economic integration in South Asia, contributing to stability and development.
- Risk Mitigation: Regulatory changes allowing power rerouting in case of payment delays protect Indian exporters from economic risks, ensuring a stable supply chain. Challenges and Criticisms
- Environmental Concerns: Criticisms have been raised regarding the use of coal imported from Australia for the Godda plant. The high costs associated with importing and transporting coal are passed on to Bangladesh, raising concerns about economic viability and environmental impact.
- Economic Viability: The BPDB has requested a revision of the PPA due to high coal prices and maintenance costs, highlighting the financial strain on Bangladesh.
ONE LINER
- India to host first world Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit
- In Global Property Price Index, Mumbai Ranks 2nd , New Delhi ranks 3rd
