CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The Karnataka Chief Minister recently expressed readiness for discussions with Tamil Nadu regarding the implementation of the Mekedatu project along the Cauvery River.
• About the Mekedatu Project:
  • The Mekedatu project, proposed by Karnataka, is a multi-purpose initiative aimed at providing drinking water and power. It entails constructing a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, situated approximately 90 km from Bengaluru and 4 km from the Tamil Nadu border. The project is planned at the confluence of the Cauvery River and its tributary Arkavathi. It includes a 99-metre-high concrete gravity dam, a subterranean powerhouse, and a water conductor system.
  • The reservoir is expected to have a capacity of 66,000 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water and is projected to supply over 4 TMC of water annually to Bengaluru for drinking purposes. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 14,000 crores, covering an area exceeding 5,000 hectares.
• Issue:
  • Tamil Nadu, as the lower riparian state, has raised concerns that the Mekedatu project could adversely affect its water requirements. Tamil Nadu argues that the Mekedatu region is the last unrestricted point in Karnataka from where Cauvery water flows into Tamil Nadu, and the dam project is seen as an effort by Karnataka to regulate this flow. According to Cauvery tribunal and Supreme Court orders, any project on the Cauvery requires the no-objection of the lower riparian state, in this case, Tamil Nadu.

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• Russia's Wagner mercenary group reported significant casualties, including the loss of a commander, in recent clashes with separatist forces in northeastern Mali.
• About Wagner Group:
  • Wagner Group, officially known as PMC Wagner, functions as a Russian paramilitary entity.
  • Primarily operating as a private military company (PMC), Wagner emerged in 2014 during Russia's annexation of Crimea and has since conducted operations in Syria and multiple African nations such as Libya, Sudan, Mozambique, Mali, and the Central African Republic.
  • Founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin, a former officer of Russia's GRU military intelligence.
  • Despite being prohibited under Russian law, Wagner rebranded as a "private military company" in 2022.
  • Symbolized by a solid black roundel with a white skull motif in the crosshairs, symbolizing victory over death.
  • Wagner Group's activities are closely intertwined with Russia's military and intelligence apparatus.
  • Services offered by Wagner vary based on client needs, ranging from rebel groups to regimes, with compensation spanning direct payments to resource concessions.
  • Estimates of Wagner's military personnel range widely, from 1,350 to 100,000 individuals, depending on sources and operational phases.

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• India, a founding member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is poised to lodge a formal complaint against the UN agency regarding its India Employment Report 2024.
• About International Labour Organization (ILO):
  • The International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to advancing labour conditions and living standards globally.
  • Established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles, following World War I, it emphasizes social justice as essential for sustainable peace.
  • In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the UN, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • It is a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), aligning efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The ILO boasts 187 member states, including 186 UN member states plus the Cook Islands.
  • It stands as the only tripartite UN agency, bringing together governments, employers, and workers' representatives from its member states.
• Functions include:
  • Developing international policies and programs to uphold human rights, enhance working and living conditions, and foster employment opportunities.
  • Establishing international labour standards with a unique system for overseeing their implementation.
  • Conducting extensive technical cooperation initiatives globally, working closely with member states to effectively implement policies.
  • Engaging in training, education, and research to support its core objectives.
  • The ILO was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 in recognition of its significant contributions to promoting social justice and decent work worldwide.

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• Researchers have noted that habitat loss and competition for limited resources are likely pushing the Charles Darwin’s frog to breed in unconventional locations.
• Key facts about the Charles Darwin’s frog:
  • Endemic to the Andaman Islands, this frog species belongs to the family Dicroglossidae, a diverse group of Asian frogs comprising over 220 species.
  • Both male and female Charles Darwin’s frogs have been observed adopting an inverted position on the walls of tree cavities during mating, keeping their bodies entirely above water while laying eggs.
  • Males produce various complex calls to attract females, including aggressive calls to deter competing males. When conflicts arise, physical altercations such as kicking, boxing, and biting may occur, sometimes resulting in severe injuries.
  • Conservation Status: Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
• Concerns raised by the study indicate that these frogs are increasingly utilizing artificial objects like plastic sapling bags and human debris (including discarded plastic, glass, and metal containers) as breeding sites. This behavior shift is likely a response to the diminishing and fragmented forest habitats on these small islands, illustrating the species' adaptation to rapid environmental changes.

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• Due to erratic weather patterns, many farmers in Kashmir are opting to convert their saffron fields into apple orchards or switch to growing mustard crops.
• Key characteristics of saffron:
  • Saffron is renowned globally as one of the most expensive herbal spices, often referred to as Red Gold or the Golden Condiment.
  • The commercially valuable part of the saffron plant is its stigma, also known as saffron filament or thread.
  • Saffron reproduces from corms or bulbs, which are its seeds, and regenerates through vegetative propagation.
  • It contains important constituents such as crocin, picrocrocin, and saffranal, which are valued both for medicinal and aesthetic purposes.
  • Originating in Greece and Asia Minor, saffron cultivation has expanded to regions like Europe (particularly Italy, France, and Spain), China, and India.
  • In India, approximately 90% of saffron production occurs in Kashmir, where it has been cultivated for centuries.
  • Required climatic conditions for saffron cultivation include elevations between 1,500 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The plant thrives in specific temperature ranges from around -15°C to -20°C in winter and not exceeding 35°C to 40°C in summer. It adapts well to various climate types ranging from dry to moderate and continental. Saffron prefers acidic soils such as loamy, sandy, and calcareous soils, with an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 8.5 for optimal growth.

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• Astronomers have recently announced the discovery of 63 new giant radio galaxies, expanding our understanding of these unique cosmic phenomena.
• About Radio Galaxies:
  • Radio Galaxies, also known as radio-luminous galaxies or radio-loud galaxies, are a specific type of active galaxy characterized by emitting more radio waves than visible light.
  • Their radio emissions stem from interactions between charged particles and intense magnetic fields associated with supermassive black holes at the galaxies' cores.
  • Radio galaxies are fueled by non-thermal processes, distinguishing them from galaxies emitting primarily optical light.
  • They are notably larger than many other types of galaxies found in the universe.
  • The first discovered and still the brightest radio galaxy is Cygnus A.
• Radio galaxies are broadly categorized into two types:
  • Core-halo radio galaxies: These emit radio waves concentrated around the galaxy's nucleus, comparable in size to its visible components.
  • Lobed radio galaxies: These exhibit extensive lobes of radio emission that can extend millions of light years beyond the optical galaxy. Most lobed radio galaxies feature double lobes, extending symmetrically from either side of the galaxy's optical center.
• This recent discovery of 63 new giant radio galaxies underscores the ongoing exploration and discovery within the realm of galactic radio emissions, shedding light on their diverse structures and origins in the cosmos.

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• Recently, the Manipur Government voiced concerns to the Centre regarding a hydro-electric modernization initiative proposed for the renowned Loktak Lake, citing potential risks to the Sangai deer population.
• About Sangai Deer:
  • The Sangai deer, a subspecies of Eld's deer, is endemic to Manipur and holds significant cultural importance in the region.
  • Its habitat is predominantly within the Keibul Lamjao National Park, which features the largest single mass of floating phumdis (vegetation) within Loktak Lake, situated in Manipur's Bishnupur district.
  • Appearance-wise, the Sangai deer is medium-sized with distinctive antlers characterized by an unusually long brow tine that extends forward resembling an eyebrow, hence its nickname "brow-antlered deer."
  • The deer's coat ranges from dark reddish-brown in winter to paler shades in summer.
  • It moves delicately over the floating foliage, appearing to dance, which earned it the moniker "Dancing Deer."
• Conservation Status:
  • Listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
  • Protected under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The Manipur Government's reservations highlight the delicate balance required between development projects and preserving the habitat of the critically endangered Sangai deer, underscoring the challenges in managing environmental conservation alongside infrastructural advancements.

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• The Credit Guarantee Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) Scheme has recently achieved a milestone by approving credit guarantees totaling Rs. 1 lakh crore within just seven months of the current financial year 2023-24.
• About CGTMSE Scheme:
  • Launched in the year 2000, the CGTMSE Scheme operates under a joint initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
  • The scheme aims to facilitate the flow of institutional credit to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by providing guarantee cover to collateral-free credit facilities extended by eligible Member Lending Institutions (MLIs).
  • Funding for CGTMSE is contributed by the Government of India and SIDBI in a ratio of 4:1.
  • CGTMSE has played a crucial role in enabling MSEs to access credit without requiring traditional forms of collateral or third-party guarantees.
• Key Points about Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):
  • Established under an Act of Parliament in 1990, SIDBI serves as the principal financial institution dedicated to promoting, financing, and developing the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector.
  • SIDBI's primary objective is to provide both direct and indirect financial assistance to MSMEs, addressing developmental and financial gaps within the MSME ecosystem.
  • The institution supports MSMEs in obtaining the necessary funds for growth, marketing, technology development, and commercialization of innovative products.
  • SIDBI also administers funds like the Small Industries Development Fund and National Equity Fund, reinforcing its role in fostering the growth and sustainability of MSMEs in India.

The achievement of approving Rs. 1 lakh crore in credit guarantees by CGTMSE underscores its significant role in bolstering the financial inclusivity and growth of micro and small enterprises across the country, supported by the strategic partnership with SIDBI.