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- A recovering sea otter population in California, particularly within the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, has played a key role in controlling the spread of green crabs.
- Sea Otters:
- Historically, sea otters were heavily hunted during the 18th and 19th centuries for their luxurious fur. They were granted full protection as a species in California in 1913, but their numbers continued to suffer due to oil spills and habitat degradation. In 1977, their status was upgraded to "threatened," leading to federal protection and a subsequent rebound in their population.
- Role in Managing Green Crab Populations:
- Sea otters are highly effective in reducing the green crab population, consuming between 50,000 to 120,000 of them each year. This predatory behavior has proven essential in managing the impact of this invasive species on the West Coast’s coastal ecosystems.
- Special Adaptations: Unlike most marine mammals, sea otters rely on a high metabolic rate, not blubber, to survive in cold waters. They have a voracious appetite, consuming around 25% of their body weight daily.
- Green Crab (Portunus Sanguinolentus):
- Native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea, the green crab is now found in Australia, South America, and South Africa. It is recognized as one of the world’s most destructive invasive species, often referred to as the shore crab or green shore crab.
- Physical Features: The adult green crab's carapace can reach a width of about 90 mm. Its coloration ranges from green to brown, grey, or red, with red crabs being more aggressive due to delayed moulting.
- Diet: Green crabs are opportunistic feeders, preying on small crustaceans, mollusks, and worms.
- Impact on Ecosystems: The green crab’s invasive nature threatens coastal ecosystems in several ways:
- It damages seagrass beds, which are vital habitats for numerous marine species.
- It overconsumes native prey species, disrupting food webs.
- It competes with native species for food and shelter, further stressing local biodiversity.
- In response to China’s plans to construct the world’s largest dam, India is advocating for a counter initiative in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Upper Siang Hydropower Project:
- The Upper Siang Hydropower Project is a proposed 11,000 MW hydropower plant, planned for the Siang River in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Siang River, the uppermost branch of the Brahmaputra River, holds significant cultural importance for locals, who refer to it as Aane Siang (Mother Siang). This project is seen as a strategic counter to China’s ambitious plan for a 60,000 MW super dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) in Tibet’s Medog County.
- Project Overview:
- Developers: The project is a collaborative effort between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
- Pre-Feasibility Report (December 2022):
- Installed Capacity: 11,000 MW.
- Reservoir Storage: 9 billion cubic meters (BCM).
- Estimated Cost: ₹1,13,000 crore.
- The area surrounding the project is predominantly inhabited by the Adi Tribe, an indigenous community with a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the Siang River. The tribe relies on pani kheti (settled agriculture along riverbanks) for sustenance, as the region’s hilly terrain provides limited options for traditional farming.
- The Adi Tribe:
- The Adi Tribe speaks Tibeto-Burman languages and traces its roots to southern China in the 16th century. Known for their craftsmanship, particularly in creating items from cane and bamboo, the tribe holds several important festivals:
- Solung: A harvest festival that often includes animal sacrifices.
- Aran: A festival celebrating hunting traditions.
- Distinctive Practices: The tribe also follows the Motor or Pator system, a ritual that enforces self-isolation through village lockdowns in order to gather wild herbs during times of epidemics.
- RBI’s Latest Report on the Rupee’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)
- Key Highlights on REER:
- Record High REER: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the rupee's Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) surged to 108.14 in November 2024, up from 107.20 in October 2024. This marks the highest REER level recorded this year.
- Impact of Overvaluation: A REER value exceeding 100 indicates that the rupee is overvalued relative to the base year (2015-16). This overvaluation could reduce India’s export competitiveness while making imports relatively cheaper.
- Understanding NEER and REER:
- NEER (Nominal Effective Exchange Rate): NEER represents the weighted average of a currency’s exchange rates against multiple foreign currencies. While it shows the nominal strength of a currency, it does not account for inflation or price level differences. An increase in NEER indicates nominal appreciation, while a decrease suggests depreciation.
- REER (Real Effective Exchange Rate): REER is an enhanced version of NEER as it adjusts for differences in price levels (inflation) between domestic and foreign markets. It is calculated as:
- REER = NEER × (Domestic Price Index ÷ Foreign Price Index).
- This measure reflects the purchasing power parity (PPP) and provides a better indicator of a currency’s real competitiveness.
- Currency Basket for India’s Indices: Previously, India’s NEER and REER indices were based on six major currencies: US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Japanese Yen (JPY), British Pound (GBP), Chinese Yuan (CNY), and Singapore Dollar (SGD). The indices now incorporate a wider basket of 36 currencies, aligning with India’s growing and diverse trade relationships.
- Factors Influencing NEER and REER:
- Productivity Differences: Variations in productivity between countries can affect their competitiveness and influence REER values.
- Terms of Trade: The balance between a country’s exports and imports has a significant impact on both NEER and REER.
- Inflation: High inflation within a country erodes the value of its currency, which affects its REER.
- Fiscal Spending: Government expenditure influences economic stability and demand, thereby affecting the exchange rate dynamics.