★★★★★ 5/5
Prelims: Geography (Places in News), Badwater Basin, Death Valley
Mains: General Studies-I, Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.
Why in the News ?
In North America’s driest region, Badwater Basin in Death Valley has been persisting and expanding as a temporary lake. This Phenomenon has been documented by NASA through satellite imagery.
Source: DTE
📌 FYI on Prelims
Reasons for extreme Heat in Death Valley:
- Solar heating: The valley’s surface undergoes intense solar heating because the air is clear and dry and the land is dark and sparsely vegetated.This is especially noticeable in summer when the sun is nearly directly overhead.
- Trapping of warm air: Warm air naturally rises and cools.But in Death Valley this air is subject to continual reheating as it is trapped by high, steep valley walls and recycled back to the valley floor.Warm air also is trapped by the valley’s north–south orientation which runs perpendicular to prevailing west-to-east winds.
- Migration of warm air from other areas (advection): Warm desert regions adjacent to Death Valley, especially to the south and east often heat air before it arrives in Death Valley.
- Warm mountain winds: As winds are forced up and over mountains (e.g. the numerous ranges west of Death Valley), the winds can be warmed in several ways.The resulting dry, warm winds are known as foehn winds.
About:
Badwater Basin:
- It is an endorheic basin. The endorheic nature implies that water does not naturally exist there, but rather flows into it. It often leads to swift evaporation and the formation of temporary lakes.
- Location- It is located in Death Valley, California, USA. It holds the distinction of being the lowest point in North America, with an elevation of 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level.
- Nearby landscape– It is just 84.6 miles east-southeast of Mount Whitney, the highest point in the United States.
- Recent phenomenon which has been observed:
- Recent heavy rainfall, following Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, has altered the landscape of the region and has resulted in the appearance of Manly Lake.
- The lake initially reduced in size, but surprisingly persisted through the fall and winter seasons. Its recovery in February 2024 was facilitated by a robust atmospheric river that replenished its waters.
- In Death Valley, which usually sees just 51 millimeters of rain per year, there was an extraordinary 125 millimeters rainfall in the last six months.
Death Valley:
- It is a desert valley in Eastern California, USA in the northern Mojave Desert, bordering the Great Basin Desert.
- It is one of the hottest places on Earth, along with deserts in the Middle East and the Sahara.
- Climate: Death Valley has a scorching desert climate, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (38°C). It holds the world record for the highest reliably recorded air temperature, hitting 134°F (56.7°C) in July 1913 at Furnace Creek.
- Flora and Fauna: Even in its tough conditions, Death Valley hosts diverse plant and animal life well-suited to desert settings. Typical plants include creosote bush, desert holly, and different types of cacti. The park is home to wildlife like bighorn sheep, coyotes, kit foxes, and various reptiles
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Prelims: Economy (Subsidies), Potash derived from molasses, Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme, Muriate of Potash, Potash.
Mains: General Studies-III, Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics of Animal-Rearing
Why in the News ?
The government has allowed sugar mills to sell potash from molasses (PDM) to fertilizer companies. This assists mills in earning additional revenue and qualifying for nutrient-based subsidies
Source: LiveMint
Key Facts 🗝️
- India is the second-highest consumer of fertilisers after China
📌 FYI on Prelims
Muriate of Potash: Muriate of potash, also known as potassium chloride contains 60% potash. Potash is essential for plant growth and quality. It plays a vital role in the production of proteins and sugars.
About:
Decisions that have been taken by the Government
- Price set for current year-The government has set a price of ₹4,263 per metric tonne for sugar mills to sell PDM to fertilizer companies this year(2024).
- Subsidy provided– PDM manufacturers can also claim a subsidy of ₹345 per ton under the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme (NBS) from the Department of Fertilizers.
- Significance of this move:
- Sugar mills sell PDM to fertilizer companies to produce potash fertilizer, which is then sold in the market.
- The government is working to make India self-sufficient in fertilizers.
- The goal is to become self-sufficient in urea by 2025. This involves increasing production from 30 million tonnes to 31-31.5 million tonnes and substituting 2.5 million tonnes of demand with alternatives like nano urea and urea gold.
- Potash derived from molasses (PDM):
- Potash derived from molasses (PDM) is a potassium rich fertilizer that is produced as a by-product of the sugar-based ethanol industry.
- Derived: It is derived from the ash generated during the distillation process in molasses-based distilleries.
- Current production in India: At present, India imports all of its required potash (100 %) for fertilizers, which comes in the form of muriate of potash (MOP).
- Significance:
- It can be used as a source of potassium fertilizer in agriculture to improve soil fertility and enhance crop yields.
- Farmers can use PDM (which contains 14.5% potash) as an alternative to MOP, which contains 60% potash.
- Potash:
- Potash includes various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form.
- Most of the world’s potash comes from Canada, with the largest deposits located in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. Four countries (Canada, Belarus, Russia and China) accounted for 80% of the world’s potash production in 2019.
- Today, potash comes from either underground or solution mining.
- In India, few deposits of potash mineral are reported from Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, Kaimur district of Bihar and Sawai Madhopur and Karauli districts of Rajasthan.
- It is in the form of Glauconitic (a potassium bearing green mica) sandstone.
- Potassium is an important element of the human diet as it is essential for growth and the maintenance of tissues, muscles and organs, as well as the electrical activity of the heart.
The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:
- It has been implemented from April 2010 by the Dept of Fertilizers.
- Under NBS, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on an annual basis, is provided on each grade of subsidized Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilisers depending on its nutrient content.
- It aims at ensuring the balanced use of fertilisers, improving agricultural productivity, promoting the growth of the indigenous fertilisers industry and also reducing the burden of Subsidy.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Mains: PYQ/FAQ
Q. India’s agriculture sector is hampered by the double edged sword of high demand of fertilisers and global rise in their price. Discuss.
★★★★★ 3.5/5
Prelims: Science & Tech. (Diseases), Guinea Worm Diseases, Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
Mains: General Studies-III Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.
Why in the News ?
Nations like South Sudan and Mali, where Guinea worm disease was once more common, have made commendable progress, although the fight continues in Chad and the Central African Republic.
Source: TH
About:
Guinea Worm Disease
- It is an infectious ‘Neglected tropical disease’ (NTD).
- Agent Parasite: “Dracunculus Medinensis” which is a fiery serpent.
- Contagious: It is basically a human disease. However, it can also spread to animals and humans by eating certain aquatic animals that might carry Guinea worm larvae, like fish or frogs. Transmission Drinking water containing Guinea worm larvae
- Affected regions: It affects poor communities in remote parts of Africa that do not have safe water to drink.
- Symptoms:
- The disease usually has no initial symptoms.
- However, after 1 year of disease, there may be a painful burning feeling as a blister forms, usually on the legs. The blister bursts as the worm then comes out of the skin over a few weeks.
- Prevention: It can be prevented by filtering drinking water through a piece of fine-mesh cloth, chlorination, or boiling.
- Treatment:
- There is no drug & vaccine to prevent Guinea worm infection.
- Anti-inflammatory medicine can help reduce pain and swelling.
- Antibiotic ointment can help prevent infections.
- Current status of disease:
- India eliminated GWD in the 1990s,
- India received GWD-free certification from the WHO in 2000.
Neglected Tropical Diseases
- They are diseases which occur in the tropics, usually in the low middle income countries settings.
- They comprise a group of 20 conditions mainly prevalent in tropical areas — caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. For Ex-Leprosy, Trachoma etc.
- NTDs can cause permanent disabilities, impact mental and emotional health. NTDs affect over 1.7 billion people across the world.
- For instance, Lymphatic Filariasis which is known as haathipaon in hindi or Elephant Feet is the second-leading cause of permanent disability in the world.
- It attacks the human lymphatic system and can cause painful swelling of limbs (lymphoedema), genitalia (hydrocele) and disfigurement of breast.
- Government has set a target of 100 per cent elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis and Kala-Azar in line with global targets.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Consider the following statements: (2017)
- In tropical regions, Zika virus disease is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits dengue.
- Sexual transmission of Zika virus disease is possible.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (c)
Explaination:
- Zika virus is a flavivirus which was first discovered in 1947 in monkeys and then in humans in Uganda in 1952.
- Both Zika and Dengue have similarities in terms of symptoms of fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. In addition to this, the mode of transmission is also same for both the diseases, i.e., both are spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species of mosquitoes.
- Modes of Zika Transmission
- Mosquito bites
- From mother to child during pregnancy, which can cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Zika virus has also been found in breast milk.
- Sexual transmission from infected partner.
- Through blood transfusion.
★★★★★ 4/5
Prelims: Environment (Species in News), Purple Frog
Mains: General Studies-III Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Why in the News ?
The Purple Frog, which is believed to have co-existed with dinosaurs, has similarities to the Sooglossidae family of frogs in Seychelles. The Anamalai hills is one of its prime habitats in Tamil Nadu. For years, the amphibian has been drawing the attention of researchers, who are striving to solve the mysteries of its unique year-long subterranean life.
Source: TH
Key Facts 🗝️
Purple Frog: Conservation status
- IUCN: Endangered
- Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022: Schedule I
About:
Purple Frog
- It is also known as Maveli frog or Pignose Frog.
- It is believed to have co-existed with dinosaurs, has similarities to the Sooglossidae family of frogs in Seychelles.
- It is often called a ‘living fossil’ which belongs to the Nasikabatrachidae family.
- Appearance
- It has a bloated body with short stout limbs and is dark purple to greyish in colour.
- It has a small head in comparison to the body length, and an unusually pointed snout.
- Its short and muscular forelimbs with hard palms help it to burrow underground.
- Unlike other frogs, it has very short hind legs, which does not allow it to leap from one spot to another.
- Habitat: This burrow-dwelling frog prefers loose, damp and well-aerated soil close to ponds and ditches or streams.
- Distribution: It is the soil-dwelling frog endemic to selected habitats in the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- The Anamalai hill is one of its prime habitats in Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu is home to two types of Purple Frog: Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis and Nasikabatrachus bhupathi.
- It remains underground most of the year except for 2-3 weeks during the monsoon when it comes out to mate.
- Threats: Habitat loss, road networks through their habitats, and climate change are some of the major threats to their survival.
Living Fossil:
- Living Fossil is an organism that has remained unchanged from earlier geologic times and whose close relatives are usually extinct. Other than Coelacanth, Horseshoe crab and ginkgo trees are examples of living fossils.
- However, in their new study, palaeontologists have found that Coelacanths gained 62 new genes through encounters with other species 10 million years ago. This suggests that they are actually evolving, albeit slowly.
- The coelacanth (a fish) is the most famous and widely recognized species of “living fossil”.
★★★★★ 5/5
Prelims: Environment (Tiger Reserves, Species in News ), Spotted Deer, Kali River, Kali Tiger Reserve.
Mains: General Studies-III, Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Why in the News ?
As many as 40 spotted deer (axis axis) have been translocated from Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens (Mysuru Zoo) to the Panasoli range of Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) recently.
Source: DTE
Key Facts 🗝️
Spotted Deer:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
📌 FYI on Prelims
- River Kali is located in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka.
- Tributaries of Kali include, Pandrali, Kali, Tattihala, Vaki, Kaneri, Thananala, Kariholé and many more.
About:
Spotted Deer
- The spotted deer, or chital/ cheetal is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.
- It is the most common deer species in Indian forests.
- Distribution: It is widely distributed in Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group in Pakistan.
- Habitat: Subtropical grasslands and forests
- Features:
- With a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years, it stands at about 35 inches tall and weighs about 187 pounds.
- It is a slightly reddish brown with white spots on its body.
- Only males have antlers, and their bodies are larger than females.
- Spotted Deers are social animals. They commonly occur in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.
- They mainly feed on grasses throughout the year. Their diets include herbs, shrubs, foliage, and fruits.
Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR)
- Location: Kali Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, is located in the central portion of the Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district of Karnataka state.
- It comprises two important protected areas of the region, viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (475.018 sq. km) and Anshi National Park (339.866 sq. km) are contiguous to each other and form a single tract of protected area located in the biologically sensitive Western Ghats.
- River: The Kali River, which forms the major source of water for Uttara Kannada, flows through the tiger reserve, hence the name.
- Vegetation: Forests are primarily moist deciduous and semi-evergreen, with excellent patches of evergreen forests in the westernmost parts as well as in deep valleys.
- Flora: The complex floral tapestry comprises hardwood trees like teak, silver oak, Malabar tamrind, jamba, lantana, bamboo, shrubbery, and dense vegetative undergrowth on the floor.
- Fauna: Prominent species are the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, chevrotain, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, dhole, jungle and leopard cat, Malabar civet, and giant civet.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Prelims: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (2020)
A) Corbett
B) Ranthambore
C) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
D) Sundarbans
Ans: c. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
Explaination:
- Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH), also known as core areas of tiger reserves, are identified under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 based on scientific evidence that “such areas are required to be kept as inviolative for the purpose of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers”.
- The CTHs are notified by the state government in consultation with the expert committee constituted for the purpose.
- Area of the Core/Critical Tiger Habitat
- Corbett (Uttarakhand): 821.99 sq. Kms
- Ranthambore (Rajasthan): 1113.36 sq. Kms
- Sundarbans (West Bengal): 1699.62 sq. Kms
- Nagarjunsagar Srisailam (part of Andhra Pradesh): 2595.72 sq. Kms
