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Daily PIB/ 22 May
General Studies- II
Topic- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
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World Bee Day
Context:
United Nations has designated May 20 as World Bee Day, the day to celebrate the pollinators dwelling in hives, fields and gardens around the globe.
Why 20 May?
20 May coincides with the birthday of Anton Janša, who pioneered modern beekeeping techniques in his native Slovenia and praised the bees for their ability to work so hard, while needing so little attention in the 18th century.
The theme of World Bee Day 2021 is: Bee Engaged – Build Back Better for Bees.
Why bees are important?
Globally there are more honey bees than other types of bee and pollinating insects, so it is the world’s most important pollinator of food crops.
- It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination mainly by bees, but also by other insects, birds and bats.
- Many domestic and imported fruits and vegetables require pollination.
Food security:
In order to be able to feed the world’s growing population, diverse, balanced and of good quality of food is needed to ensure the progress and well-being of humankind.
- Bees are renowned for their role in providing high-quality food (honey, royal jelly and pollen) and other products used in healthcare and other sectors (beeswax, propolis, honey bee venom).
- The greatest contribution of bees is the pollination of nearly three quarters of the plants that produce 90% of the world’s food.
- A third of the world’s food production depends on bees, i.e. every third spoonful of food depends on pollination.
For crops:
- For crops such as blueberries and almonds, the honey bee plays an essential role in pollination of commercial crops.
- Honey bees play a significant role in the pollination of other important crops such as cotton and flax.
- There are also a number of valuable non-food products produced by the honey bee, such as beeswax used in cleaning and beauty products.
For dairy Industry:
- Honey bees can also pollinate clover and alfalfa, which are fed to cattle, so there are implications for the meat and dairy industry too.
- The huge range of manufactured food products made from all these ingredients.
Biodiversity and environmental protection:
- Bees are vital for the preservation of ecological balance and biodiversity in nature.
- They provide one of the most recognisable ecosystem services, i.e. pollination, which is what makes food production possible.
- They protect and maintain ecosystems as well as animal and plant species, and contribute to genetic and biotic diversity.
- Bees also act as indicators of the state of the environment.
- By observing the development and health of bees, it is possible to ascertain changes in the environment and implement the necessary precautionary measures in time.
Why are bees disappearing?
Bees are in decline on a global scale as they face many threats, from habitat loss to the use of toxic pesticides. If these threats aren’t brought under control, we could be looking at a future without bees.
- Habitat loss: An increase in urban developments and invasive farming methods has meant that many of the areas bees once called home no longer exist.
- Use of pesticides: Whilst pesticides are designed to kill pests, due to their intense toxicity they are having an adverse effect on other insects too, including bees. Neonicotinoids in particular cause bees a great deal of harm, as when they are sprayed onto plants they are absorbed.
- Climate change: Climate change and the extreme weather disrupts bee nesting behaviour and alters the normal seasonal timings, meaning flowers may bloom earlier or later than expected.
- Parasites and diseases: Parasites and diseases are another big threat to bees. The varroa mite, Varroa destructor, is a parasitic mite which clings to the back of the honey bee, passing diseases and viruses to it and gradually draining its strength.
- Invasive species: Non-native species can pose another threat to bees. Some species in particular can cause havoc for native species – the Asian hornet, Vespa velutina nigrithorax, eats honey bees and so poses a huge threat.
General Studies- II
Topic- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Competition Commission of India (CCI)
12th Annual Day of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) was commutated on 20th May.
About the CCI:
Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a quasi-judicial statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing The Competition Act, 2002.
- It was established on 14 October 2003 and became fully functional on 20th May, 2009.
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) and Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) were established under the Competition Act, 2002.
Composition of CCI:
The CCI is composed of a Chairperson and 6 members.
- The members of CCI are appointed by the Central Government.
- The CCI acts as a market regulator to check on the ill competitive practices in India.
Objectives:
- To prevent practices having adverse effect on competition.
- Make the markets work for the benefit and welfare of consumers.
- To promote and sustain competition in markets.
- To protect the interests of consumers.
The Competition Appellate Tribunal:
- The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) was formed in 2009.
- It is a fully empowered body by the Constitution of India.
- The final appeal after this tribunal can be made in the Supreme Court of India.
The Competition Act, 2002
The idea of Competition Commission was conceived and introduced in the form of The Competition Act, 2002.
- It was enacted to promote competition and private enterprises especially in the light of 1991 Indian economic liberalization.
- The Competition Act, 2002, is amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007.
The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and Merger and acquisition), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
General Studies- III
Topic- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Rocket Launching Port
Context
The Centre is setting up a second facility due to increase in the number of launches by Isro for domestic and global customers.
Highlights
- ISRO’s first and only spaceport, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), is located in Sriharikota, in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
- The organisation launches its PSLV and GSLV rockets from here
- The government has decided to set up a second facility in the backdrop of an increase in the number of launches by ISRO for domestic and international customers.
- Second space rocket launching port is being setup by ISRO in Tamil Nadu’s Kulasekarapattinam.
Why the Kulasekarapattinam was chosen for second Launchpad?
India prefers its spaceports as close to the equator as possible and located on the east coast for two reasons.
- First, Earth’s rotation provides a speed boost to rockets launched in the eastward direction, such as the GSLV Mk II and Mk III, and headed for an equatorial orbit around the planet.
- The strength of the boost is higher closer to the equator.
- Second, in the event of a failure, debris from an explosion would fall into the Bay of Bengal instead of onto land, potentially damaging property or taking lives.
What functions Kulasekarapattinam Launchpad will perform?
The second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam is expected to provide an important advantage to ISRO’s upcoming Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), a smaller counterpart of the PSLV that the organisation has developed to launch small-satellites more frequently.
Chrome facts for Prelims
INS Rajput Decommissioned
The Indian Navy’s first destroyer INS Rajput was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam after serving the nation for 41 glorious years on, 21 May 21.
- INS Rajput was commissioned on 04 May 1980, at Poti, Georgia (erstwhile USSR), as the lead ship of the Rajput Class Destroyers of the Indian Navy.
- During her service, the ship had the distinction of being part of both the Western and Eastern Fleets.
- INS Rajput was also the first ship to be fitted out to fire the supersonic cruise and long-range BrahMos missile.
- She was also the first Indian Naval ship to get affiliated with an Indian Army Regiment ‘the Rajput Regiment’.
Ratle Hydro Power Project
850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric (HE) Project is located on river Chenab, in Kishtwar district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- It is being developed by a new Joint Venture Company (JVC) to be incorporated between National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC).
- The equity contribution between the NHPC and JKSPDC is of 51% and 49% respectively.
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