15 Nov | UPSC Current Affairs: Sukhna Lake, Booker Prize, Elephants & More

UPSC GS 1

Sukhna Lake

• News: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently issued a notification to designate an area from 1 km to 2.035 km around the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) on the Haryana side.
• Location and Type: Sukhna Lake is an artificial lake situated in Chandigarh, India, at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills in the Himalayas.
• Creation: The lake was created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream flowing from the Shivalik Hills.
• Size: The lake covers an area of approximately 3 square kilometers, measuring 1.52 km in length and 1.49 km in width.
• Wetland Status: It has been declared a National Wetland by the Government of India.
• Catchment Area: The catchment area surrounding the lake has rugged terrain with steep slopes. The soils are primarily alluvial sandy, with clay layers prone to soil erosion due to water runoff.
• Water Quality: The water flowing into the lake is highly silt-laden, contributing to the sediment accumulation in the lake.
• Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • Proximity to the Lake: The Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is located adjacent to Sukhna Lake, covering an area of around 26 square kilometers.
  • Biodiversity: The sanctuary is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and reptiles, contributing to its rich biodiversity.
  • Migratory Birds: It serves as a sanctuary for several migratory birds, such as the Siberian duck, storks, and cranes, especially during the winter months.

UPSC GS 2

Booker Prize 2024

• News: British writer Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize 2024 for fiction with Orbital, a short, wonder-filled novel set aboard the International Space Station.
• About Booker Prize: 
• • It is the world’s leading literary award for a single work of fiction.
  • Founded in the UK in 1969, the Booker Prize initially rewarded Commonwealth writers and now spans the globe: it is open to anyone regardless of origin.
  • It aims to promote the finest in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written in English.
  • The winner receives £50,000 and each of the shortlisted authors will be given £2,500.

• Eligibility:
  • The Booker Prize awards any novel originally written in English and published in the UK and Ireland in the year of the prize, regardless of the nationality of their author.
  • The novel must be an original work in English (not a translation)
  • It must be published by a registered UK or Irish imprint; self-published novels are not eligible.
• The Booker Prize Foundation: It is a registered charity established in 2002. Since then, it has been responsible for the award of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, and for the Man Booker International Prize since its inauguration in 2005.

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Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

• Why in News: Recently, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump introduced a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. 
• More on News: This unique team aims to reform government operations and streamline expenses. Notably, the acronym “DOGE” may allude to Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency often promoted by Musk.
• Purpose of DOGE:
• • Reducing Bureaucracy: DOGE’s mission includes removing unnecessary bureaucratic layers to make processes faster and more transparent.
  • Cutting Regulations: DOGE will work on identifying and removing regulations deemed excessive, aiming to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Minimizing Wasteful Spending: By focusing on essential services, DOGE intends to reduce government spending and minimize wastage of public funds.
  • Restructuring Federal Agencies: DOGE will review and reorganize government departments to improve functionality and lower costs.

• How DOGE Will Operate:
• • Advisory Role: DOGE will not function as an official government department; it will serve as an advisory body, collaborating with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget.
  • Transparency and Public Involvement: DOGE’s activities and recommendations will be published online, encouraging citizen feedback on potential areas for cuts or areas of concern.
  • Leaderboard for Wasteful Spending: DOGE plans to showcase a “leaderboard” of the most wasteful government expenses, engaging the public with an entertaining yet informative approach.

UPSC GS 3

State of the Climate 2024

• News:  The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) presented the “State of the Climate 2024” report at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) held in Baku. 
• Key Highlights:
• Record-Breaking Temperatures: The year 2024 is projected to be the hottest year on record, following a consistent rise in monthly global average temperatures.
• Global Temperature Rise: From January to September, the global average temperature was 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels, with the warming trend intensified by the El Niño weather pattern.

• Decade of Heat: The period from 2015 to 2024 is expected to be the warmest decade on record, with notable increases in ocean warming rates over the last 20 years, and a projection that ocean temperatures will continue to rise irreversibly.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse gas emissions reached unprecedented levels in 2023, with real-time data suggesting they have risen further in 2024. Since 1750, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has grown by 51%.
• Ocean Heat Absorption: Oceans, which absorb around 90% of the excess heat from global warming, reached record-high temperatures in 2023, with preliminary data for 2024 indicating this trend continues.
• Accelerating Glacier Melt: Glaciers worldwide are melting at an increasing pace, with 2023 witnessing the fastest rate of glacier retreat on record in the last 70 years. This year’s ice loss equated to five times the water volume of the Dead Sea, driven largely by severe melting across North America and Europe.
• Sea Level Rise: Accelerated glacial melt has contributed to rising sea levels. From 2014 to 2023, the global mean sea level rose at an annual rate of 4.77 mm, more than doubling the rate observed between 1993 and 2002.

African Elephants

• News:   A new study has analyzed 53 years of population survey data and found large-scale declines in most populations of both species of African elephants. 
• About:
• • • The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest terrestrial animal globally.
    • Known for its immense size, remarkable intelligence, and intricate social dynamics.
• Location:
• • Found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, they inhabit diverse ecosystems, including savannas, forests, deserts, and wetlands.
  • There are two subspecies: the African bush elephant and the smaller African forest elephant, each adapted to specific habitats.

• Physical Characteristics:
  • African elephants are massive, with males reaching up to 4 meters (13 feet) in height at the shoulder and weighing around 12,000 pounds.
  • Females are slightly smaller but still possess significant size and strength.
  • Their large, fan-like ears aid in thermoregulation by dispersing heat.
  • Unlike their Asian counterparts, African elephants have two “fingers” on their trunk tips, enabling them to handle small objects skillfully.
  • Both males and females grow tusks, with males generally having larger, more prominent ones.
• Diet:
  • As herbivores, they spend most of their time feeding, consuming up to 300 pounds of vegetation daily.
  • Their diet includes grasses, fruits, bark, and leaves, which they can strip using their trunks and tusks.
• Ecological Role:
  • Recognized as a “keystone species,” African elephants significantly influence their habitats.
  • They maintain biodiversity by breaking trees, digging water sources, and dispersing seeds through their dung.
• Conservation Status:
  • African elephants are categorized as vulnerable to endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction, poaching for ivory, and human-elephant conflicts.
• Conservation Efforts:
  • Initiatives include anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and community-driven programs to promote harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.
• Key Differences Between African and Asian Elephants:
• Ears:
• • African elephants have large, fan-shaped ears resembling the African continent.
  • Asian elephants have smaller, rounded ears.
• Body Size:
  • African elephants are typically larger, with males reaching heights of up to 13 feet at the shoulder.
  • Asian elephants are slightly smaller in stature.
• Head Shape:
  • African elephants have a fuller, rounded head shape.
  • Asian elephants have a twin-domed head with a distinctive indent between the domes.
• Trunk:
  • African elephants possess two finger-like projections at the tip of their trunk, which enhances their dexterity.
  • Asian elephants have only one finger-like projection at the trunk tip.
• Back Shape:
  • African elephants have a concave or saddle-shaped back.
  • Asian elephants feature a more convex or humped back.
• Location:
  • African elephants are native to various African regions, including savannas, forests, and deserts.
  • Asian elephants are found across Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

Sea Vigil-24

• News: The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of the Coastal Defence Exercise, ‘Sea Vigil-24.’
• About Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’:
• • ‘Sea Vigil-24’ is a Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise scheduled from 20–21 November 2024.
  • This fourth edition follows the initial exercise held in 2018 and is the largest iteration so far.
  • It spans India’s extensive 11,098 km coastline and covers a substantial Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 million sq km.
  • The exercise involves six Ministries and 21 organisations and agencies, including fishing communities, coastal populations, NCC cadets, and Bharat Scouts and Guides, aiming to enhance maritime security awareness and engage local stakeholders.

• Objective:
  • To assess and reinforce India’s coastal defence and security mechanisms.
• Focus Areas:
  • Protection of Critical Coastal Assets: Ensuring the security of key coastal infrastructure such as ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, and Cable Landing Points.
  • Enhanced Maritime Security Awareness: Focusing on awareness among coastal communities, including fishing populations and students.
• Features:
  • Emphasizes the safeguarding of strategic coastal locations, such as ports and oil installations, while also prioritizing the security of coastal populations.
• Significance:
  • Comprehensive Evaluation: Provides an extensive assessment of India’s maritime defence capabilities.
  • Strength and Vulnerability Analysis: Helps identify both strengths and areas for improvement within maritime security frameworks.
  • Preparation for TROPEX: Acts as a foundational exercise for the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which further tests and enhances operational readiness.

Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome

• News: Modern lifestyle habits and the widespread effects of globalization are contributing to the emergence of a significant global health challenge known as Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) Syndrome.
• Definition:
• • CKM syndrome is a health condition characterized by interlinked issues such as obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
  • The term “metabolic” refers to the body’s process of deriving energy from food. Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are categorized as metabolic conditions.

• Interconnection of Conditions:
  • Each of the four components of CKM syndrome can trigger or worsen the others, forming a dangerous cycle.
• Cause:
  • Excess or Abnormal Body Fat:
  • CKM syndrome is linked to abnormal or excessive adipose tissue (body fat).
  • This tissue releases harmful substances that cause inflammation and damage to the heart, kidneys, and arteries.
  • Inflammatory Effects:
  • Inflammation leads to reduced insulin efficiency and promotes the development of plaque in arteries and kidney damage.
• Symptoms:
• • Common symptoms include:
    • Chest pain.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Syncope (fainting or passing out).
    • Swelling in legs, feet, hands, or ankles.
• Treatment:
• • Lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and adopting a healthy diet, may be sufficient to manage the condition in its early stages.
  • Medications may be required to control blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar to prevent further progression.

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Crinum Andhricum

• News: A new species of flowering plant, Crinum andhricum, was recently discovered by botanists in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
• New Discovery: Crinum andhricum is a newly identified species of flowering plant.
• Location: This species was first recorded in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
• Naming: The plant is named after the state of Andhra Pradesh, acknowledging the region where it was initially found.

• Family: It belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family.
• Contribution to Indian Flora: This addition brings the total number of Crinum species in India to 16, several of which are endemic to the country.
• Features:
  • Distinctive Floral Characteristics: The plant has wider, oblanceolate perianth lobes (the outer sections of the flower) and features a higher number of flowers per cluster, ranging from 12 to 38 flowers.
  • Unique Floral Structure: Crinum andhricum is notable for its pedicelled flowers, which are distinguished by their stalk-like structure.
  • Flower Color and Blooming Period: The flowers are waxy white and bloom between April and June.
  • Physical Structure: The plant stands on a tall stem that can reach up to 100 cm in height, making it well-adapted to dry, rocky crevices in the Eastern Ghats.
  • Leaf Characteristics: The leaves of the plant are large, elliptic in shape, and have smooth, entire margins.
• Conservation Status: Due to its limited distribution and potential environmental threats, Crinum andhricum has been preliminarily classified as “Data Deficient” under IUCN guidelines.