CA : 14 August 2023

Daily Current Affairs 14 August 2023

Karnataka Proposes Customised Criteria and Timely Response for Drought Declaration - Drought Manual and Its Implementation and Applicability

Why in News :  Amid an extended period of insufficient monsoon rainfall and challenges experienced across diverse agro-climatic zones, Karnataka has appealed to the central government for a comprehensive review of the norms governing the declaration of drought. The state has proposed the following adjustments:

• Tailored Criteria for Drought Declaration: Karnataka suggests moving away from a uniform approach and instead developing criteria that are tailored to specific geographical regions. This would involve accounting for factors like soil type, crop variety, temperature variations, and other local conditions in determining drought status.

• Revised Timeframe for Declaring Dry Spells: The state recommends revising and shortening the time duration required to declare dry spells. In this revision, considerations would encompass variables such as soil type, crop type, temperature fluctuations, and other pertinent aspects that influence the impact of dry spells.

The existing framework for declaring drought, as outlined in the Ministry of Agriculture's Manual for Drought Management 2016 (with updates in 2020), follows a three-step approach:

• Mandatory Indicators: These include assessing factors like deviations in rainfall, the Standardised Precipitation Index, and the duration of dry spells. The manual outlines specific scenarios that could be indicative of a drought-triggering situation.

• Impact Indicator Evaluation: This step involves analysing indicators related to agriculture, remote sensing-based vegetation indices, soil moisture levels, and hydrological conditions to gauge the actual impact of the drought situation.

• Empirical Evidence and Intensity Assessment: Following the activation of the indicators from the previous steps, states undertake sample surveys for accurate on-ground verification. This is pivotal in determining the severity of the drought, classifying it as either 'severe' or 'moderate'.

Once a drought situation is ascertained, the state government is mandated to issue an official notification. This notification outlines the geographical extent affected by the drought and the relevant administrative divisions impacted. The validity of this notification stands for a duration of six months unless subsequently revoked.

• In essence, Karnataka is advocating for a more nuanced and localised approach to drought declaration that considers the diverse factors influencing agricultural conditions. 

• This approach aims to enhance the accuracy of drought assessment and response, thus better equipping regions to manage the challenges posed by inadequate monsoon rainfall and related agricultural hardships.

For More Information Read - "Understanding Droughts in India"

Maya OS : "India's Defence Ministry Adopts Indigenous Ubuntu-Based OS 'Maya' to Counter Cyber Threats"

• India's Ministry of Defence has taken the initiative to replace the existing Microsoft Operating System (OS) on its internet-connectable computers with a domestically developed OS called Maya, which is based on Ubuntu.

• Currently, this new operating system is being introduced exclusively to computers within the Defence Ministry and has not yet been extended to the three branches of the armed services.

• Maya, conceived and built by Indian government entities in a swift six-month timeframe, has a primary objective of fortifying the defense against cyber threats, particularly malware assaults launched by cybercriminals. 

• The focus of these attacks has increasingly shifted towards critical infrastructure and governmental institutions.

• To provide a robust shield against potential security breaches, the new OS will be fortified by a defensive system named Chakravyuh.

Embracing an Open Source Trajectory:

• The escalating menace of cyber vulnerabilities linked to proprietary software has once more compelled global governments to consider the utilization of free and open-source software (FOSS) for the creation of their operating systems.

• Open-source software pertains to computer software distributed under a license that empowers users with the freedom to utilise, explore, modify, and distribute both the software and its underlying source code. 

• This liberty is extended to all users and for a myriad of purposes.

For More Information Read - "Maya OS - Explained"

Metagenomic Sequencing:

    Metagenomic sequencing is a powerful technique for directly analyzing the genetic material within microbial communities present in various environments or clinical specimens. This method unveils the diverse array of microorganisms, their interactions, and functions within their native habitats. 

    It serves a dual purpose: Aiding in the identification of pathogens and Enabling the monitoring of viral outbreaks.

• In addition, metagenomics plays a vital role in differentiating viral infections from other different causes also. 

• This cutting-edge approach involves studying complete nucleotide sequences obtained from all organisms, predominantly microbes, present in a mixed sample.

• Unlike conventional methods that rely on cultivating specific microorganisms, metagenomics directly harnesses genetic material from environmental or clinical sources through sequencing techniques. 

• It's also known by various terms like environmental genomics, ecogenomics, community genomics, or microbiomics.

• By employing unbiased genome sequencing technologies, metagenomics revolutionises the way we analyse infected patient samples. 

• This innovative approach, known as metagenomics, not only boasts rapid results but also facilitates direct testing of patient samples, eliminating the need for prior knowledge about the infectious agent.

Schemes in News:

Pradhan Mantri - Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-RUSA) Scheme

• In June 2023, the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) Scheme underwent a renaming and transformation, becoming the "Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)" under the purview of the National Education Policy. 

• This initiative, operating as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, 

Objective: It is driven by the goal of elevating the quality of higher education establishments, ensuring adherence to prescribed standards and accreditation criteria, promoting administrative and educational reforms, and fostering a culture of research and innovation.

The schemes salient features are as follows:

• MERU (Multidisciplinary Education and Research University) Transformation: Under this provision, each of the 35 state universities is granted a financial support of Rs 100 crore to facilitate the advancement of multidisciplinary education and research endeavors.

• Establishment of Model Degree Colleges: This initiative involves the establishment of exemplary degree colleges that serve as models of excellence in higher education.

• Grants for University Strengthening: Financial grants are allocated to bolster the capabilities and resources of universities, thereby enhancing their overall effectiveness.

• Focus on Disadvantaged Regions: The scheme prioritises regions characterised by remoteness, susceptibility to Left Wing Extremism (LWE), aspirations for development, and low Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).

• Promotion of Gender Inclusion, Equity, and Employability Skills: The program extends support to state governments to promote gender parity, equity, and the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for imparting employability skills.

Formerly launched in October 2013, the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was originally conceived as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Its primary objective was to furnish strategic financial assistance to institutions of higher education across the nation.

Terms in News:

1. Critical Information Infrastructure : 

The Information Technology Act of 2000 defines - “Critical Information Infrastructure” as a “computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety”.

Nodal agency: National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the nodal agency in India that is responsible for protecting Critical Information Infrastructure.

NCIIPC has identified the following as ‘Critical Sectors: 

• Power & Energy
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance
• Telecom
• Transport
• Government
• Strategic & Public Enterprises

2. Malware:

• Malware is a term used to describe "malicious software" that is specifically designed to harm, exploit, or compromise computer systems, networks, and devices. 

• It includes various types of harmful software that cybercriminals use to gain illegal access, steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or carry out other malicious activities. 

• Malware can affect personal computers, servers, mobile devices, and even whole digital networks.

Tribes in News:

Malayali tribes:

• It is a tribal group from Eastern Ghats in the Northern part of Tamilnadu.

• These tribals are usually hill farmersand they cultivate different types of millets.

• The word Malai denotes inhabitants of the hills. 

• They speak Tamil language and in recent times around mid 18th century Migrated from plains to hills 

Places in News: 

1. Nagzira Tiger reserve :

Why in news: A young male tiger recently died in a road hit in the buffer zone of the Nagzira Tiger Reserve.

About Tiger Reserve :

• Location: Bhandara and Gondia districts of Maharashtra. Part of Navegaon Nagzira National Park.

• Flora: Dry deciduous, Moist deciduous, and Bamboo forests.

• Dominant tree species: Teak, bamboo, tendu, and mahua.

• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (Indian bison), sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, and langur.

Source: "TOI"