TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30.4.2024

1. KASHMIR VALLEY – CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS

• Geographical Factors
• Mountainous Terrain: The valley is surrounded by the Himalayas, which greatly influences its weather patterns and accessibility
• The mountainous terrain is prone to landslides and snow blockages, especially in higher reaches
• Such as Gurez Valley, Machil Valley, and Tangdhar
• River Systems: The presence of major rivers like the Jhelum, combined with the valley’s topography, predisposes the area to flooding
• Particularly when there is sudden heavy rainfall or snowmelt
• Intra-District Connectivity: The rugged terrain complicates transportation and infrastructure development
• This makes road travel hazardous during adverse weather conditions, leading to frequent closures and isolation of communities
• Climatological Factors – Snowfall and Winter Weather:
• The region experiences heavy snowfall during the winter months, leading to significant snow accumulation
• This can isolate regions, hinder transportation, and disrupt normal activities, as seen with the 2-3 feet of snow accumulation at Razdan Top and Sadna Top.
• Monsoon and Rainfall Patterns: The valley receives rainfall from both the southwest monsoon and western disturbances Western disturbance can cause heavy winter rains and snowfall
• Leading to flash floods and landslides, as recently experienced
• Temperature and Climate Variability: The climatic conditions can vary widely within the valley, with lower areas experiencing relatively moderate conditions while upper reaches face harsh winters
• This variability affects how communities respond to and are impacted by weather events Current Impact: The recent weather conditions, including fresh snowfall and rains, have severely impacted the Kashmir Valley:
• Road Closures and Isolation: Critical roads like the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and Mughal Road have been closed due to landslides and snowfall, disrupting traffic and isolating regions.
• Electoral Campaign Disruptions: The adverse weather has impacted election campaigning in the Lok Sabha seats of Anantnag, Baramulla, and Srinagar
• Emergency Response: The local administration, including police, SDRF, CRPF, and the Army, is engaged in rescue operations in areas like Kupwara, where flash flooding and landslides have occurred
• Preventive Measures: Authorities in Srinagar and other affected areas are on high alert, with round-the-clock monitoring and public advisories

2. ELEPHANT CORRIDOR – CHINNAKANAL COLONIES

• An expert panel appointed by the Kerala High Court has outlined several recommendations to address human-wildlife conflicts in Chinnakanal, Kerala
• Focusing particularly on the elephant corridor from Anayirankal to Old Devikulam in Munnar
• This area has been a focal point due to conflicts involving wild elephants, such as Arikomban, who was translocated after repeated encounters with local communities. Key Recommendations by the Panel: 1. Reopening of Elephant Corridor:
• The panel has emphasized the need to reopen the elephant corridor between Anayirankal and Old Devikulam
• Facilitating the free movement of elephants across a 60- acre shola forest
• This would allow elephants access to a broader 4,500 sq. km area in the Munnar landscape — helping to alleviate the isolation of the elephant population in Chinnakanal 2. Voluntary Relocation of Colonies:
• To secure the corridor effectively, the panel suggests the voluntary relocation of two colonies that occupy 301 acres and 80 acres in Chinnakanal
• This move is aimed at reducing direct conflicts between humans and elephants in critical habitat areas
• Conservation Reserve Status: The panel has proposed declaring the area as a conservation reserve to protect it from illegal activities and to ensure the preservation of the natural habitat essential for wildlife.
• Protective Measures for Ration Shops: Immediate measures include installing solar-powered electric fencing around ration shops to prevent elephants from raiding these locations for food, a behavior that has led to repeated conflicts in the past.
• Monitoring and Protection of Tuskers: Specific attention is recommended for tuskers like ‘Padayappa’, advocating for their close observation rather than capture. The panel argues that these elephants play a crucial role in maintaining the genetic health of the population, and removing them could disrupt the local elephant ecology

3. INDIAN OCEAN WARMING

• Temperature Increase: From 1950 to 2020, the Indian Ocean warmed by 1.2 degrees Celsius
• It’s expected to heat up further by 1.7 to 3.8 degrees Celsius from 2020 to 2100
• Marine Heatwaves: Frequency of marine heatwaves is projected to increase dramatically, from an average of 20 days per year to 220-250 days per year
• Impact on Marine Life: The persistent high temperatures are likely to result in near-constant marine heatwaves, accelerating coral bleaching, destruction of seagrass, and loss of kelp forests
• Adverse Effects on Fisheries: These ecological changes are expected to have a negative impact on the fisheries sector, crucial for food supply and economic activity in the region Deep Ocean Warming: The study highlights not just surface warming but also significant increases in the heat content from the surface to depths of 2,000 meters,
• Increasing at a rate of 4.5 zetta-joules per decade currently, with future rates expected to be 16–22 zetta-joules per decade
• Dramatic Energy Increase: The future increase in ocean heat content is likened to the energy release of one Hiroshima atomic bomb detonation every second, continuously over a decade
• Contribution to Sea-Level Rise: The rising heat content not only increases the water temperature but also expands the ocean volume, contributing to more than half of the observed sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean

4. CENTRAL INDUSTRAIL SECURITY FORCE (CISF)

• The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a central armed police force in India that was set up under the CISF Act of 1968
• Initially established to provide security to industrial units and other critical infrastructures, it has grown significantly in role and size over the years
• Deployment of CISF: CISF personnel are deployed across various sectors in India, including:
• Airports Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs): Government-owned industries and infrastructure
• Like atomic power plants, space installations, mints, oil fields and refineries, major ports, heavy engineering, steel plants, barrages, fertilizer units, and hydroelectric/thermal power plants
• Metro Rail Networks – Government Buildings and Heritage Monuments
• CISF Replacing Delhi Police in Parliament Security
• Reasons for Replacement — The decision to replace Delhi Police with CISF in Parliament was influenced by several factors:
• Previous Security Breach: A security breach in December, where intruders disrupted Parliament proceedings, highlighted vulnerabilities in existing security measures managed by Delhi Police
• Specialized Training and Equipment: CISF personnel are equipped with advanced security training and technologies suited for securing high-profile and high-risk venues Making them relevant for sensitive locations like the Parliament
• Centralised Control: Deploying CISF allows for a unified command structure in handling security
• This can lead to more coordinated and effective security management
• Implementation: Deployment Strategy: About 400 CISF personnel have been initially deployed at the Parliament complex
• With plans to increase this number to around 3,000 for comprehensive security coverage
• Including security wing and fire wing responsibilities
• Phased Integration: The transition from Delhi Police to CISF has been planned in phases Starting with training alongside the Parliament Security Service (PSS)
• And eventually taking over responsibilities like access control, frisking, and baggage scanning
• Retention of Delhi Police: A smaller unit of about 75 Delhi Police personnel remains assigned to VIP duty within the Parliament complex The CISF’s deployment in Parliament represents a strategic shift towards bolstering the security framework in response to evolving threats and ensuring the safety of India’s legislative hub.

5. TESLA CEO MUSK VISIT CHINA

• Impact on Indian EV Market: Developments in China’s EV market could drive competition and innovation in India’s EV sector, potentially accelerating domestic EV adoption
• Economic Diplomacy – India could identify opportunities for collaboration or competition with China in attracting investments and developing indigenous technology capabilities.
• Global Supply Chain Influence: Tesla’s activities might affect global automotive supply chains, presenting new opportunities for India’s integration or partnership in production and exports
• Geopolitical Insights: Understanding U.S.-China interactions provides India with crucial insights for formulating its diplomatic and economic policies amid regional and global shifts.

ONE LINER

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