UPSC: Uri-I Hydroelectric Project, Zombie Fungus, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Uri-I Hydroelectric Project

News: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has deferred the proposal for grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) to the Stage-II of Uri-I Hydroelectric Project.
Location:
- - The Uri-I Hydroelectric Project is situated in the Jhelum River in Uri town, Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir.
  - It is positioned close to the Line of Control (LOC), the de facto border between India and Pakistan.
Commissioning and Capacity:
- - The power plant was commissioned in 1997 with a total installed capacity of 480 MW.
  - It consists of 4 units, each with a capacity of 120 MW.
Ownership and Operation:
- - The project is owned by the Central Government of India.
  - It is operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).

Key Facts about Jhelum River:
- - The Jhelum River flows through both India and Pakistan.
  - It is a major tributary of the Indus River and serves as the primary waterway in the Kashmir Valley.
  - Among the five rivers of Punjab, it is the largest and most western, passing through the Jhelum District in northern Punjab province, Pakistan.
  - The river originates from Verinag Spring at Anantnag, located at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley.
  - It flows through Srinagar and Wular Lake before entering Pakistan, carving a deep, narrow gorge on its way.
  - The Jhelum River joins the Chenab River near Trimmu, Pakistan.
  - The total length of the river is approximately 725 km (450 miles).
  - Major Tributaries:
    - Kishenganga (Neelum) River: The largest tributary, joining the Jhelum near Muzaffarabad and entering the Punjab province of Pakistan.
    - Kunhar River: The second-largest tributary, connecting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan at the Kohala Bridge in the Kanghan valley.
    - Other notable tributaries include Sandran River, Bringi River, Arapath River, Watlara River, Lidder River, and Veshaw River.

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Thanjavur Veena

News: The Thanjavur veena is the first musical instrument in the country to get the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Origin and Significance:
- - The Thanjavur veena is a traditional Indian musical instrument, renowned for its unique construction and deep cultural significance.
  - It is closely associated with Carnatic classical music and is often depicted in the hands of Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts.

Types of Thanjavur Veena:
- - Ekantha Veena: Crafted from a single block of wood, making it a seamless, unified instrument.
  - Sada Veena: Carved in three distinct sections: the resonator (kudam), the neck (dandi), and the head. The sections are joined together to form the complete instrument.
Construction and Materials:
- - Frets: The veena is equipped with 24 fixed frets (Mettu), enabling the performance of all ragas in Carnatic music.
  - Wood Selection: The veena is traditionally made from the fresh bark of the Jackfruit tree. The bark undergoes rigorous testing before being selected for use in the instrument.
  - Crafting Process: The creation of a veena involves intricate carving and assembling of its components. The process, which includes making the resonator, neck, and tuning box, takes about 15-20 days.
Types of Veena in Indian Classical Music:
- - Rudra Veena and Vichitra Veena: Predominantly used in Hindustani classical music.
  - Saraswati Veena and Chitra Veena: Integral to Carnatic classical music. The Saraswati veena, in particular, is exclusively made in Thanjavur.
Cultural Importance:
- - Thanjavur is the sole place where the Saraswati veena is crafted, maintaining its legacy in the region.

Saora Tribe

News: Saoras become 5th particularly vulnerable tribal group to get habitat rights in the Odisha.
Historical Significance:
- - The Saora tribe is one of the ancient tribes of Odisha, with mentions in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  - The tribe is referred to by various names, including Savaras, Sabaras, Saura, and Sora.
Geographical Distribution:
- - While Odisha is the primary homeland of the Saora tribe, smaller populations are also found in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam.
Language:
- - The Saora people speak their native language, Sora, which belongs to the Munda language family.
  - They are among the few Indian tribes that have a script for their language, known as Sorang Sompeng.
Racial Characteristics:
- - The Saoras display racial features typical of the Proto-Australoid group, a characteristic common among the aboriginal populations of Central and Southern India.
Religious Beliefs:
- - The Saoras follow a complex and deeply ingrained religion, worshipping multiple gods and spirits whom they believe govern their everyday lives.
  - They have unique religious customs, artistic practices, and a traditional tattooing practice known as ‘Tantangbo.’

Economic Classes:
- - Sudha Saora (Plains Saoras): Engage in wet cultivation or earn wages through various forms of labor, including selling firewood.
  - Lanjia Saora (Hill Saoras): Practice shifting and terraced cultivation on hill slopes.
Settlement Patterns:
- - Saora villages do not adhere to any specific settlement pattern, with houses scattered throughout the area.
  - Megaliths, erected to honor deceased kin, are commonly found near these settlements.
Typical Housing:
- - A typical Saora house is a one-roomed rectangular structure with a thatched roof, stone, and mud walls.
    - The roof is low, and the house has a high plinth front verandah. The walls are often colored with red earth.
Village Deities:
- - Guardian deities, such as Kitungsum, are installed at the village entrance to protect the settlement.

UPSC GS 2

23rd Law Commission of India

News: The President Droupadi Murmu recently approved the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.
Definition:
- - Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body.
  - It is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Legal Affairs with definite terms of reference.
Aim:
- - To review and recommend legal reforms aimed at improving the Indian legal system.
  - However, the recommendations of the commission are not binding on the government.
Members: The commission will include:
- - A full-time Chairperson,
  - Four members (including Member-Secretary),
  - Secretary of the Department of Legal Affairs as an ex-officio member,
  - Secretary of the Legislative Department as an ex-officio member; and
  - Not more than five part-time members.
Tenure: Three years, from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.
Procedure:
- - A law commission is created when the Central Government passes a resolution for the formation a new commission after the expiry of the last one.
  - After the resolution is passed, and the President gives assent to it, the government has the liberty to choose the chairperson for the new commission.
First Law Commission:
- - The first Law Commission was created during the British rule in 1834 under the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.
  - The Central Government established the First Law Commission of independent India in 1955 with the then Attorney-General of India, Mr. M. C. Setalvad, as its Chairman.
  - Since then twenty-two Law Commissions have been appointed, each with a three-year term and with a definite term of reference.

Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

News: India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka have signed the Charter and an MoU for the establishment of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Secretariat in Colombo to address security and stability challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

Definition:
- - The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional security grouping that includes India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.
Aim:
- - The CSC’s primary objective is to enhance regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges that are of common concern to its Member States.
Origin:
- - The CSC was originally known as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation.
  - It began as a series of trilateral meetings between the National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, starting in 2011.
  - The initiative came to a halt in 2014 due to increasing tensions between India and the Maldives.
  - The CSC was revived and re-branded in 2020, with Mauritius and, more recently, Bangladesh joining as members.
Membership:
- - Current Members: India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
  - Observer Nation: Seychelles.
Key Pillars of Cooperation:
- - Maritime Safety and Security
  - Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation
  - Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime
  - Cybersecurity and Protection of Critical Infrastructure
  - Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief
Organizational Structure:
- - The CSC facilitates cooperation among NSAs and Deputy NSAs of the member countries.
Permanent Secretariat: Located in Colombo.

UPSC GS 3

Zombie Fungus

News: Wildlife researcher Chris Ketola shared a video which showed a tarantula infected by zombie fungus.
Definition:
- - The zombie fungus, scientifically known as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, is a parasitic fungus that infects its host by draining it entirely of nutrients.
  - It eventually fills the host’s body with spores, enabling the fungus to reproduce.
Impact on Host: The fungus takes control of the host’s mind and motor functions, manipulating the host before consuming its body.

Genus: Cordyceps is a genus of fungi that primarily targets invertebrates, particularly insects such as ants and spiders.
Habitat: The fungus is largely pantropical and most commonly infects carpenter ants.
Tarantulas:
- - Family: Tarantulas belong to the family Theraphosidae.
  - Species: There are over 900 species of tarantulas found worldwide, with the exception of Antarctica.
  - Movement and Behavior: Tarantulas are slow-moving but skilled nocturnal predators. They hunt using their eight hairy legs.
  - Size: Adult tarantulas typically measure around five inches (13 centimeters) in length. Their leg span can reach up to 11 inches (28 centimeters) when fully extended.

Cocoa Tree

News: As climate change threatens traditional cocoa farming, scientists and entrepreneurs are stepping up to ensure the future of chocolate.
Importance and Origin:
- - Cocoa is a perennial crop, which has to withstand weather vagaries in a crop cycle during its different growth stages.
  - The cocoa tree is a significant plantation crop primarily grown for chocolate production worldwide.
  - It is native to the Amazon basin in South America and thrives in humid tropical climates.

Geographical Distribution:
- - Cocoa trees are cultivated approximately 20 degrees north and south of the equator in regions with warm weather and abundant rainfall, including West Africa and South America.
  - In India, cocoa is mainly cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, often as an intercrop with arecanut and coconut.
  - The Ivory Coast is the largest producer of cocoa in the world, producing over 2 million tons a year.
  - Approximately 70% of the world’s cocoa beans are produced in four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.
Climatic and Soil Requirements:
- - Altitude: Cocoa can be grown up to 300 meters above mean sea level.
  - Rainfall: The crop requires an annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm for optimal growth.
  - Temperature: A temperature range of 15°C to 39°C is ideal, with an optimum temperature of around 25°C.
  - Soil: Cocoa thrives in deep, well-drained soils, predominantly clay loam and sandy loam, with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.
  - Shade Requirement: As an under-storey crop evolved in the Amazonian forests, cocoa requires about 50% of light for commercial cultivation, making it suitable for plantations with partial shade.

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India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

News: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up the 5th semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
Establishment:
- - ISM is a specialized and independent Business Division within the Digital India Corporation.
  - It was created to foster a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem, positioning India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.
Powers and Responsibilities:
- - ISM holds full administrative and financial powers to drive the semiconductor ecosystem in India, focusing on manufacturing, packaging, and design.
  - It serves as the nodal agency for schemes approved under the Semicon India Programme.
Advisory Board:
- - The mission includes an advisory board comprising leading global experts in the semiconductor field, guiding the mission’s strategic direction.

Semicon India Programme:
- - The ISM was launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) with a total financial outlay of Rs. 76,000 crore.
  - It is part of a comprehensive program aimed at developing a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in India.
Programme Objectives:
- - Provide financial support to companies investing in semiconductor and display manufacturing, as well as design ecosystems.
  - Promote indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) generation and facilitate the Transfer of Technologies (ToT).
Schemes Under Semicon India Programme:
- - Scheme for Setting up of Semiconductor Fabs in India: Aimed at establishing semiconductor fabrication units.
  - Scheme for Setting up of Display Fabs in India: Focused on establishing display fabrication units.
  - Scheme for Setting up of Compound Semiconductors/Silicon Photonics/Sensors Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP)/OSAT facilities in India: Targets compound semiconductor fabrication and allied processes.
  - Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme: Encourages semiconductor design activities by providing incentives linked to design development.