The Smooth-Coated Otters have recently been in the news following the arrival of a pair at the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi from Surat, marking a rare animal exchange after 20 years. This development is significant for both conservation efforts and the public’s awareness of this vulnerable species.
Scientific Classification: The smooth-coated otter is the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale.
Geographical Range: Smooth-coated otters are found across southern and Southeast Asia, including India, China, and even a small population in Iraq.
They thrive in lowlands, coastal mangrove forests, peat swamp forests, and freshwater wetlands such as large forested rivers, lakes, and rice paddies. While they are adapted for aquatic life, they are also comfortable on land and can travel overland in search of suitable habitats.
Size and Appearance: The smooth-coated otter is the largest species of otter in Southeast Asia.
Their fur is shorter and smoother compared to other otter species.
Their fur is typically light to dark brown dorsally and light brown to grayish ventrally.
Under fur is tightly packed, and they have longer, water-repellent guard hairs.
Behavior: They are strong swimmers and are known for hunting in groups. When fishing, they often travel in a V-formation going upstream, showcasing their social and cooperative hunting style.
The species faces numerous threats, primarily due to loss of habitat, habitat degradation caused by water pollution from fertilizers, pesticides, and poaching.
The IUCN Red List classifies the smooth-coated otter as Vulnerable, reflecting the significant risks they face in their natural habitat.
The move to bring these otters to the National Zoological Park in Delhi is part of ongoing efforts to boost conservation awareness and provide a safe breeding environment. The exchange program between zoos, which is rare and takes place over long periods, is critical in maintaining genetic diversity and reinforcing the importance of wildlife protection.
The Tato-II Hydroelectric Project has been in the news recently with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approving an investment proposal of ₹8,146.21 crore for its construction in Arunachal Pradesh.
Capacity: The project will have an installed capacity of 700 MW.
Location: The project is planned on the Siyom River (also known as the Siyom Basin) in Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh.
Type: It is a run-of-river project, meaning that it will utilize the natural flow of the river to generate power without the need for large reservoirs.
Hydro Reservoir Capacity: The reservoir is expected to have a capacity of 56 million cubic meters.
Turbines: The project will feature four turbines, each with a 175 MW nameplate capacity.
Energy Generation: The total energy generation expected from the project is approximately 2,738.06 million units of electricity.
Power Supply for Arunachal Pradesh: The electricity generated will significantly improve the power supply in Arunachal Pradesh, which has faced challenges with energy access due to its geographical remoteness.
National Grid Balance: In addition to serving the local needs, the power generated will contribute to balancing the national grid by providing additional supply during peak demand periods.
Free Power for Arunachal Pradesh: The state will receive 12% of the generated power for free, in addition to 1% for the Local Area Development Fund (LADF), which can help in the socio-economic development of the area surrounding the project.
The project will be executed through a joint venture between the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Cost: The total investment for the project stands at ₹8,146.21 crore, reflecting a major push for infrastructure development in the state.
The Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) Program is a significant initiative by NASA, focusing on monitoring atmospheric CO₂ levels from space to better understand climate change. However, recent developments have seen the Trump administration requesting the shutdown of this important program.
The OCO program is a series of dedicated Earth remote sensing satellites specifically designed to observe atmospheric CO₂, one of the main greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.
OCO-1 (2009): The first satellite of the series launched in February 2009 but failed shortly after liftoff.
OCO-2 (2014): Launched in July 2014, OCO-2 was built to minimize the costs and schedule impacts from the original OCO mission’s failure. It continues to collect valuable CO₂ data.
OCO-3 (2019): In 2019, the third mission, OCO-3, was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to further enhance the observation and study of atmospheric CO₂.
The OCO satellites provide critical data on atmospheric CO₂, which is essential for:
Climate Change Research: Understanding how CO₂ levels are changing over time and their role in global warming.
Agriculture: The data helps create high-resolution maps of plant growth globally. This information is valuable for:
Farmers, helping with crop yield forecasts and drought monitoring.
Rangeland and grazing management.
Forest mapping and conservation efforts.
Drought Monitoring: Used by agencies like the US Department of Agriculture and agricultural consulting firms to track and predict drought conditions.
The proposed shutdown of the OCO program by the Trump administration has raised concerns, as the program plays a crucial role in understanding the Earth's carbon cycle, which is essential for developing policies and solutions to combat climate change.
The Orbiting Carbon Observatories (OCO) Program has become a critical tool in climate research and environmental management, providing invaluable data on atmospheric CO₂, which affects various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, and climate policy.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has reported that, as of 2023-24, the Central Government has failed to transfer ₹3.69 lakh crore worth of cess collections to the relevant funds for which the cess was implemented.
A cess is a form of additional tax levied by the government for a specific purpose. It's different from regular taxes like excise duties or income tax, as it is a supplementary charge added on top of existing taxes.
Purpose: Cess is implemented for specific objectives, such as cleanliness, education, or other welfare activities, until the government accumulates sufficient funds for that purpose.
Example: The Swachh Bharat cess, introduced for cleanliness initiatives across India, is a well-known case.
Tax on Tax: A cess is an extra tax, meaning it is applied in addition to the standard taxes that individuals and businesses already pay. For example, someone who pays income tax may also pay a cess for a specified purpose.
Unlike general tax revenues, which are pooled into the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and used for any government expenditure, the proceeds from cess must be appropriated by Parliament and spent only on the designated purposes for which the cess was levied.
There are some nuances in how the funds are utilized:
While tax revenues are typically shared with state governments, cess revenues may not be shared with them, which limits their direct benefit from such funds.
Purpose: Taxes fund general government expenses, while cess is aimed at funding a specific purpose.
Revenue Usage: While tax revenue goes to the Consolidated Fund of India for general use, cess revenue is meant to be used only for the specific goal it was levied for, after parliamentary approval.
Distribution: Taxes are shared between the Center and States, but cess may not necessarily be shared.
The failure to transfer cess funds has raised concerns regarding government transparency and accountability in fund management. The ₹3.69 lakh crore collected has not been appropriately allocated to the specified projects, which may have serious implications for the intended development programs.
While cess is a critical tool for funding specific initiatives, the non-transfer of funds to the relevant schemes highlights the need for more effective financial management. It also calls into question the government’s commitment to the intended purposes behind these additional taxes.
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) has recently approved four additional semiconductor manufacturing projects in the states of Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. This is part of the government's push to strengthen India's position in the global electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Establishment: ISM is a specialized institution under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), functioning as a part of the Digital India Corporation.
Purpose: ISM's primary goal is to develop a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem in India, helping the country become a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
Responsibilities: ISM is empowered with both administrative and financial authority to drive the semiconductor ecosystem in India, including the areas of manufacturing, packaging, and design.
Advisory Board: ISM has an advisory board that consists of global experts in the semiconductor industry, providing guidance for effective implementation.
Catalyze India’s semiconductor ecosystem across manufacturing, packaging, and design.
Serve as the nodal agency for the Semicon India Programme, ensuring smooth and efficient implementation of schemes for the development of India’s semiconductor industry.
Provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductor and display manufacturing.
Launched in 2021, the Semicon India Programme aims to make India self-reliant in semiconductor manufacturing and is backed by a financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore.
The key goals of the programme include:
Financial Support: Offering incentives to companies that invest in semiconductor, display manufacturing, and design.
Indigenous IP Generation: Promoting the development of indigenous intellectual property (IP) and encouraging the Transfer of Technologies (ToT) in the semiconductor domain.
Semiconductor Fabs Scheme: For the establishment of semiconductor fabs (fabrication units) in India.
Display Fabs Scheme: Aimed at setting up display fabs to enhance the local production of displays.
Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors Scheme: This focuses on setting up compound semiconductors, silicon photonics, sensors fabs, and Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) units.
Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Encouraging and incentivizing semiconductor design in India, facilitating the growth of the design ecosystem.
The India Semiconductor Mission will help the country reduce its dependency on imported semiconductors and create a self-sustaining supply chain.
It will not only cater to the domestic demand but also position India as an attractive destination for global semiconductor manufacturing.
The approved projects will stimulate economic growth, job creation, and technological innovation within the states of Odisha, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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