Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

Process: Thermo-chemical conversion of coal into carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas).
Products: Syngas, dimethyl ether, ammonium nitrate, methanol.
Benefits: Reduces reliance on oil imports, conserves foreign exchange, potential for electricity generation, LPG substitute.
India’s potential: Vast coal reserves (378 billion tonnes), currently 80% used for thermal power.
National Coal Gasification Mission: Aims for 100 MT coal gasification by 2030, investment of Rs 4 trillion, reduction in imports, focus on indigenous technology.
Incentives: Government approves ₹8,500 crore scheme for coal gasification projects.

Collaboration: Joint venture between NASA and ISRO.
Orbit: Polar Sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit.
Technology: Carries L-band and S-band radar payloads (ISRO and NASA respectively).
Objectives: Measure tectonic plate movements, study water stress, climate change, agriculture, desertification, and continental movements.
Benefits: Improved natural resource management, disaster preparedness, climate change understanding.

Definition: A disaster classified as ‘notified’ under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 becomes eligible for financial assistance.
Current Status: The Indian government has no plans to categorize heatwaves as a notified disaster.
Existing Notified Disasters: There are 12 types of disasters listed in the Act: cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, frost, and cold waves.
Heatwaves: India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded 536 heatwave days this summer, the highest in 14 years.

4.First Ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’ Between India and US

Cooperation: India and the United States signed the first-ever ‘Cultural Property Agreement’ to prevent and curb the illicit trafficking of antiquities from India to the USA.
Objective: To protect India’s cultural heritage and artifacts.
Scope: The agreement restricts the import into the United States of certain archaeological material dating from 1.7 million years ago to 1770 CE and specific ethnological materials, including architectural, religious, and ceremonial items, and manuscripts from 2nd century BCE to 1947 CE.
Repatriation: The USA will return any forfeited objects from the designated list to India.
Background: Illicit trafficking of cultural property is a long-standing issue. This agreement aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention, to which both countries are parties.
Success: India has repatriated 358 antiquities since 1976, with 345 recovered since 2014.

Oil spills are releases of crude oil or refined petroleum products into the environment, often caused by accidents during transportation, offshore drilling, or tanker incidents. These spills have severe, long-lasting impacts on ecosystems and communities.
Spilled substances include gasoline, diesel, bunker fuel, and other oil-based products. Gasoline is particularly harmful due to its lighter, more toxic nature.
Spill types:
- Major incidents: Large-scale spills from pipeline breaks, tanker accidents, or drilling mishaps with lasting consequences.
- Minor spills: Smaller spills during routine operations, like refueling accidents.
Global and Indian incidents: Major spills have occurred in Venezuela, Japan, Russia, the US, and India (Chennai, Sundarbans, Mumbai, ONGC Uran).
Environmental impacts:
- Marine life: Oil coats water, affecting marine plants; toxic components harm aquatic life; birds and mammals are killed or injured.
- Coastal and marine environments: Recovery takes decades, mangroves and wetlands are damaged.
- Economic impacts: Disrupted fisheries, reduced tourism.