{"id":38554,"date":"2025-03-05T18:58:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=38554"},"modified":"2025-03-05T18:59:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:29:29","slug":"news-in-short-5-march-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/05-03-2025\/news-in-short-5-march-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-05-03-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Natural Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Smuggling of <strong>arabic gum (Acacia Gum)<\/strong> from war-torn Sudan is disrupting global supply chains.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sudan produces <strong>80% of the world&#8217;s supply followed by Chad, Nigeria, and other Sahelian nations.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a natural exudate obtained from <strong>Acacia trees<\/strong>, primarily <strong>Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal<\/strong>. It is a complex polysaccharide with excellent <strong>emulsifying, stabilizing, and thickening properties.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Uses:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Food Industry:<\/strong> Acts as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in soft drinks, baked goods, and confectionery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cosmetics: <\/strong>Used in skincare products and lipsticks for texture and stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pharmaceuticals:<\/strong> Found in syrups, capsules, and tablet coatings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Wallace Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Geography<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Wallace Line is a crucial concept in biogeography, explaining the striking differences in species distribution across continents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Wallace line?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Wallace Line, first identified by British naturalist <strong>Alfred Russel Wallace<\/strong> in the late 19th century, is an<strong> imaginary boundary<\/strong> that separates the distinct biogeographic regions of<strong> Asia and Wallacea<\/strong> (a transitional zone between Asia and Australia).&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On the <strong>western side<\/strong> of the line, species are primarily of <strong>Asiatic origin,<\/strong> whereas on the <strong>eastern side<\/strong>, species exhibit <strong>characteristics of both Asian and Australian<\/strong> descent.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This stark contrast in fauna occurs despite the relatively short distances around (35 kilometers) between these regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Geographic extent of the Wallace Line&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It runs through the <strong>Lombok Strait<\/strong> between Bali and Lombok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It runs through the <strong>Makassar Strait<\/strong> between Borneo and Sulawesi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It extends eastward, south of <strong>Mindanao Island<\/strong>, into the <strong>Philippine Sea<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Findings on Sulawesi Island<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 1876, it was noted that the island had affinities with <strong>Africa, India, Java, Maluku Islands, New Guinea, and the Philippines.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Also there is a unique mix of species from both <strong>Asia and Australia.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Examples of Sulawesi\u2019s Unique Fauna<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Asian species:<\/strong> Tarsiers (family Tarsiidae), Lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and Mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Australian species:<\/strong> Dwarf cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"95b2ce\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Wallace-Line.png\" alt=\"Wallace Line\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-38555\" style=\"--dominant-color: #95b2ce; width:448px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Wallace-Line.png 800w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Wallace-Line-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Wallace-Line-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/how-the-wallace-line-explains-the-difference-in-species-across-continents\/article69290370.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Thorium Reserves<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography\/Mineral Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China\u2019s geologists have found one million tonnes of thorium<strong> in the Mongolia region of China.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Thorium&#8217;s Potential<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thorium generates <strong>200 times more energy than uranium<\/strong> and is safer with no risk of meltdown, no need for water cooling, and minimal radioactive waste.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Thorium molten-salt reactors (TMSRs)<\/strong> are seen as a game-changer for global energy production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>China\u2019s Energy Projects<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China has approved the world&#8217;s first TMSR power plant, set to generate 10 megawatts by 2029.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The country is exploring thorium-powered ships and lunar reactors for future moon bases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Thorium Reserves<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India has one of the largest reserves of thorium in the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major thorium deposits <\/strong>are found with large reserves in <strong>Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Together, <strong>Kerala and Odisha account for over 70% <\/strong>of India\u2019s thorium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has been developing a <strong>three-stage nuclear program,<\/strong> with thorium-based reactors being a critical part of the third stage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Challenges: <\/strong>Extracting thorium from ores requires high amounts of energy and creates significant waste.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While India has large thorium reserves, extracting it for nuclear energy use has faced challenges, including the need for advanced reactor technology and economic viability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: BT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Economy&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the <strong>functioning of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) <\/strong>describing it as a &#8220;rehabilitation centre for former bureaucrats.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Land and Colonization<\/strong> is a <strong>State subject<\/strong>, but to protect homebuyers and ensure transparency in the real estate sector, Parliament enacted the <strong>Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 (RERA).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a landmark legislation aimed at reforming <strong>India&#8217;s real estate sector.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It established the Real Estate Regulatory Authority for regulation and promotion of the Real Estate sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Provisions of RERA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Establishment of Regulatory Authorities:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Registers real estate projects and maintains a <strong>public database<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protects interests<\/strong> of buyers, promoters, and agents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensures <strong>compliance<\/strong> with regulations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promotes <strong>affordable and sustainable housing<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Real Estate Appellate Tribunal<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Handles <strong>appeals against RERA decisions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensures <strong>speedy dispute resolution<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial Safeguards:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Escrow Account Mandate:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>70% of buyers\u2019 funds<\/strong> must be deposited in an <strong>escrow account<\/strong>, used <strong>only for construction<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advance Payment Cap:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developers cannot take <strong>more than 10% of the total cost<\/strong> as advance without a written agreement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Protection for Homebuyers:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Defined Carpet Area:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Buyers will be charged based on <strong>net usable floor area<\/strong>, not super built-up area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Timely Project Completion:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developers must complete projects <strong>on time<\/strong>, failing which penalties apply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Structural Defect Liability:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Developers are <strong>liable for five years<\/strong> to fix any structural defects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Penal Provisions &amp; Legal Compliance:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Equal penal interest for delays<\/strong> from both developers and buyers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Imprisonment<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to <strong>3 years for developers<\/strong> violating RERA provisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up to <strong>1 year for agents and buyers<\/strong> for non-compliance with tribunal orders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Rise in India&#8217;s R&amp;D Spending<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong><strong> GS3\/ S&amp;T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India&#8217;s Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) has more than doubled in the past decade, rising from <strong>\u20b960,196 crore in 2013-14<\/strong> to <strong>\u20b91,27,381 crore.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>DISHA Program: Driver of Technological Growth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The DISHA Program,<\/strong> an initiative aimed at Developing Innovations, Successful Harnessing, and Adoption, is a step towards building a knowledge-based economy where research-driven solutions transform industries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The program is designed to support faculty members and students working on disruptive technologies across disciplines, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global innovation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF),<\/strong> seeks to create a unified research ecosystem bridging science, humanities, and social sciences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Government Initiatives to Boost R&amp;D<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Research Foundation (NRF): <\/strong>Aims to enhance research funding and collaboration between academia and industry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): <\/strong>Encourages startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students and professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: <\/strong>Supports high-tech manufacturing through incentives for R&amp;D-driven industries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Startup India and Make in India:<\/strong> These initiatives foster innovation by providing funding and policy support for startups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges in India&#8217;s R&amp;D Ecosystem<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Private Sector Participation: <\/strong>The private sector contributes only about 36% of GERD, whereas in developed nations, it exceeds 60-70%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Insufficient Funding:<\/strong> Despite growth, India&#8217;s GERD as a percentage of <strong>GDP (~0.7%) <\/strong>remains lower than countries like <strong>China (2.4%) and the US (3.1%).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited University-Industry Collaboration:<\/strong> Weak links between academia and industry hinder commercialization of research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/indias-rd-spending-doubles-over-the-last-decade-reaching-rs-1-27-lakh-crore-jitendra-singh\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Solar Maximum<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA has launched the <strong>Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) <\/strong>Mission, aligning with the solar maximum phase of the Sun&#8217;s cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the solar cycle?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Sun, like a bar magnet, possesses a magnetic field with north and south poles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This magnetic field is generated by the movement of electrically charged particles within the Sun.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Approximately every <strong>11 years,<\/strong> the <strong>Sun\u2019s magnetic field completely flips<\/strong>, switching its north and south poles\u2014a phenomenon known as the <strong>solar cycle<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Solar Maximum<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Solar maximum is the peak<strong> phase of the Sun\u2019s 11-year cycle<\/strong>, characterized by heightened solar activity.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During this period, the Sun emits more <strong>energy, radiation, and light <\/strong>and experiences an increased number of <strong>sunspots.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The transition occurs when the Sun\u2019s magnetic field undergoes a complete flip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong> Solar Maximum lasts between one and two years. The time between two solar maxima can vary from 9 to 13 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impacts of Solar Maximum on Earth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs):<\/strong> The release of magnetic energy leads to massive solar storms that send bursts of radiation and particles into space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage to Power Grids:<\/strong> Intense geomagnetic storms can disrupt electrical infrastructure, leading to power outages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Satellite Malfunctions: <\/strong>Increased solar radiation affects satellite operations, potentially causing communication and navigation failures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PUNCH Mission<\/strong><br>&#8211; PUNCH is a NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) mission to better understand how the mass and energy of the Sun\u2019s corona become the solar wind that fills the solar system.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; The mission consists of a constellation of four small satellites in Sun-synchronous, low Earth orbit that together will produce deep-field, continuous, 3D images of the solar corona.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/nasas-punch-solar-mission-cycle-9866537\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Offshore Mining<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution, opposing the Central government\u2019s plans to permit offshore mining along the Kerala coast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2023 Amendment: <\/strong>Amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, allows the Union Ministry of Mines to auction deep-sea mineral blocks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Offshore Mining<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"b7bcb9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"348\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Offshore-Mining-1024x348.webp\" alt=\"Offshore Mining\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-38556\" style=\"--dominant-color: #b7bcb9; width:538px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Offshore-Mining-1024x348.webp 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Offshore-Mining-300x102.webp 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Offshore-Mining-768x261.webp 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Offshore-Mining.webp 1155w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Offshore mining<\/strong> is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed, at a depth of more than <strong>200 metres.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Types of Resources:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Oil and Gas:<\/strong> Extracted from offshore oil rigs or platforms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minerals:<\/strong> Includes precious metals, polymetallic nodules, and other rare minerals found on or beneath the seafloor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sand and Gravel: <\/strong>Used for construction and other purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Disruption of Habitats:<\/strong> Mining robots destroy the ocean floor, harming over 5,000 species and fragile ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sediment Plumes:<\/strong> Sediment clouds smother marine life, disrupt feeding, and reduce water quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technical Challenges:<\/strong> Deep-sea mining technology is underdeveloped; equipment repair is difficult due to extreme pressure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical Considerations:<\/strong> Companies (SAP, BMW, Google, etc.) oppose using seafloor materials, citing environmental concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>UNCLOS<\/strong> was adopted in <strong>1982,<\/strong> and came into force in <strong>1994.&nbsp;<\/strong><br>&#8211; It lays down a <strong>comprehensive regime of law and order in the world&#8217;s oceans<\/strong> and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.&nbsp;<br>&#8211; It establishes the <strong>International Seabed Authority<\/strong> to regulate mining and related activities on the ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction.&nbsp;<br><strong>The International Seabed Authority (ISA)<\/strong><br>&#8211; The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under&nbsp;<br>1. The<strong> 1982<\/strong> United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and&nbsp;<br>2. The <strong>1994<\/strong> Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.<br>&#8211; All States Parties to UNCLOS are members of ISA.&nbsp;<br>1. As of May 2023, ISA has <strong>169 Members (India is also a member)<\/strong>, including <strong>168 Member States and the European Union.<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>Headquarters: <\/strong>Kingston, Jamaica<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/kerala-assembly-passes-resolution-against-centres-decision-to-permit-offshore-mining\/article69289356.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Vantara<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Environment&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vantara.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Vantara<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is&nbsp; a unique wildlife conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation initiative in Jamnagar, Gujarat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is the <strong>world\u2019s largest wildlife rehabilitation centre<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is home to over 1.5 lakh rescued, endangered, and threatened animals, offering them a home away from home and a second chance at life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Awards and Recognition :&nbsp; <\/strong>The Central government awarded Vantara the prestigious \u2018Prani Mitra\u2019 National Award under the \u2018Corporate\u2019 category, recognizing the exceptional contributions of the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT) for elephant rescue, treatment, and care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Smuggling of arabic gum (Acacia Gum) from war-torn Sudan is disrupting global supply chains.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38554"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38562,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38554\/revisions\/38562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}