Content:

1. Assam Bird Sanctuary Records 72% Decline in Bird Species Count
2. PM’s Visit to Kuwait Aims to Boost Partnership, Says MEA
3. Siliguri Corridor a Crucial Link, SSB Presence Boosts Security, Says Shah
4. Human Error Led to 19 of 34 IAF Crashes in 2017-2022: Panel
5. When Roads Turn
6. We Find Ourselves in a Slow Growth, High Inflation Scenario

Assam Bird Sanctuary Records 72% Decline in Bird Species Count

• Decline in Species Count: Bird species count dropped by 72% over 27 years in Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS) .

Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )

• Study Details: Conducted over 154 days between October 2022 and March 2024.

• Current Count: 47 species recorded, compared to 167 species in 1997.

Major Causes:

• Overfishing
• Excessive harvesting of aquatic plants
• Poaching of wild birds
• Collection of bird eggs
• High-decibel machine use near water edges
• Use of sanctuary as a pasture area

• Recorded Species: Lesser whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, white-breasted waterhen, Indian pond heron, eastern spotted dove, and yellow-footed green pigeon among others.

• Consequences: Degradation of wetland habitat, disruption of the food chain, decline in migratory bird populations, and slowed nutrient cycle.

• Conservation Efforts Needed: Urgent and intense conservation efforts recommended.

• Assam’s Biodiversity: Assam is home to about 950 bird species and has 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas.

PM’s Visit To Kuwait Aims To Boost Partnership

• Historic Visit: First visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations )

• Key Focus Areas: Defence and trade.

Engagements:

• Talks with top Kuwaiti leadership.
• Visit to an Indian labour camp.
• Address to the Indian community.
• Attendance at the opening ceremony of the Gulf Cup football tournament.

• Bilateral Agreements: Discussions on a bilateral investment treaty and a defence cooperation pact.

• Strengthening Ties: Expected to boost ties between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

• Trade Volume: Total volume of India’s trade with GCC countries was $184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23.

• Importance of Indian Workers: Emphasis on the welfare of Indian workers abroad.

• Invitation: Visit at the invitation of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Siliguri Corridor A Crucial Link, SSB Presence Boosts Security

• Significance of Siliguri Corridor: Crucial link between Northeast India and the rest of the country.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance ) , GS 3(Internal Security )

• SSB Presence: Provides assurance and confidence to the nation.

• Border Security: SSB secures the 2,450-km border with Nepal and Bhutan.

• Efforts Against Extremism: SSB played a key role in ending Naxalism in Bihar and Jharkhand.

• Cultural Integration: SSB initiatives strengthen bonds between the nation and border communities.

• Foundation Stones: Laid for eight construction projects related to the SSB.

Human Error Led to 19 of 34 IAF Crashes in 2017-2022

Relevance : GS 3( Disaster Management )

• Total Crashes: 34 air accidents involving the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Human Error: 19 crashes due to human error (aircrew).

• Technical Defects: 9 crashes due to technical defects.

Notable Incident: Mi-17V5 helicopter crash that killed General Bipin Rawat.

• Date of Crash: December 8, 2021.
• Cause: Unexpected change in weather leading to pilot disorientation and Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT).

• Tri-Services Inquiry: Headed by Air Marshal Manvendra Singh to investigate General Rawat’s crash.

• Preliminary Findings: Crash due to spatial disorientation caused by sudden weather change.

Additional Incidents:

• MIG-21 fighter jet and Mi-17 helicopter lost on February 27, 2019, during an aerial dogfight with Pakistan Air Force post-Balakot air strike.

• Outcome: Emphasis on improving training, safety protocols, and addressing technical issues to prevent future accidents.

When Roads Turn

• High Fatality Rate: Over 4,000 deaths annually, with 50,000 injuries from road accidents in Kerala.

Relevance: GS 2( Health ) , GS 3 (Infrastructure and Transportation)

• Recent Tragedy: In September 2023, a tragic accident in Wayanad killed Jenson, adding to the loss of Shruthi’s family in a landslide.

• Accident Stats: By October 2023, 3,168 fatalities in 40,821 accidents; 2023’s death toll at 4,080.

• Contributing Factors:
  • Rising Vehicles: Increased vehicle numbers, poor road design, and reckless driving.
  • Night-time Accidents: 60% of fatalities occur at night, despite only 15% of accidents happening then.
  • Substance Abuse: Alcohol consumption by drivers, especially among KSRTC staff, exacerbates the issue.
  • Poor Road Design: Substandard road geometry and weather conditions worsen accident risk.

• Vulnerable Groups: Two-wheelers (50% of accidents), pedestrians (12%), and other non-motorized users (69% of victims).

• Golden Hour: Delayed medical aid contributes to fatalities; urgent intervention is crucial.

• Inexperienced Drivers: Poor driving skills, inadequate training, and outdated tests are key risk factors.

• Weather Impact: Heavy rains lead to slippery roads and hydroplaning, increasing accident rates.

• Proposed Solutions:
  • Improved Driving Tests: Revamp driving tests to focus on defensive driving.
  • Road Design Overhaul: Address subpar road conditions, especially on key stretches.
  • Comprehensive Strategy: Collaborative approach involving health, traffic, and enforcement agencies to reduce fatalities.

We Find Ourselves In A Slow Growth, High Inflation Scenario

• Slow Growth, High Inflation: MPC members Nagesh Kumar and Ram Singh highlight the current economic scenario as one of slow growth and high inflation.

Relevance: GS 3 (Economic Development)

• Food Price Impact: Food prices, particularly vegetables and edible oils, are driving inflation due to their high weight in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

• Inflation Trajectory: Although inflation remains elevated, it is expected to soften in Q4 FY25, especially with easing food prices in November.

• Core Inflation Decline: Core inflation has shown signs of improvement, suggesting better anchoring of inflation expectations.

• Monetary Policy Limitations: Monetary policy can address demand-side factors but has limited power against supply-side shocks like high vegetable prices.

• Expectations for Q4 2024-25: Inflation is likely to ease further, with stable energy prices expected and food inflation softening.

• International Context: A growth-supportive monetary policy aligns with international trends, but sustainable growth depends on managing inflation.

• Private Investment & Demand: Private investment depends on a revival of domestic demand, with an emphasis on boosting consumption and investment.

• Policy Focus: Former RBI Governor Das stresses the need for policy focus on balancing inflation and growth at this critical juncture.

• Growth and Inflation Balance: The policy stance remains open to supporting growth but must await durable inflation reduction to avoid undermining progress.