Prelim Bits 17-11-2022 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Iduhatty Rock Art Site

Researchers observed found that the five symbols that comprise a rock art site in Iduhatty, Nilgiris district closely resemble geometric signs of Ice Age Europe.

• There are said to be 10 rock art sites in the Nilgiris including the largest rock site Karikiyoor rock site.
• The rock art site in Iduhatty is around 20 km from Udhagamandalam town in Nilgiri.
• The site has 20 unique symbols in vibrant red was painted in ochre.
• Researchers observed that 5 of those symbols - the circle, cordiform, dot, finger fluting and quadrangle - closely resembles the symbols used at rock and cave painting sites in Europe of Ice Age.
• The resemblance could point to the arrival of modern humans to the Nilgiris during the end of the last Ice Age (between 10,000 and 40,000 years ago).

Ochre is a natural pigment, predominantly just an iron oxide with varying degrees of water molecules, which gives different sort of colours, from yellow to black.

References

1. The Hindu - Rock art symbols found resembles Ice Age

Carbon Border Tax

The European Union has proposed a policy called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism which BASIC countries have opposed.

• The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an initiative of European Union (EU) to prevent carbon leakage from extremely carbon intensive imports.
• Under CBAM, duties will be imposed on imported goods based on the carbon expended in producing them.
• The duty imposed is an equivalent cost on imports to level the playing field between foreign and domestic producers.
• From 2026, for the chosen sectors of cement, fertiliser, iron and steel, electricity and aluminium, imports will face an additional tariff.

Opposition to CBAM

• A consortium of countries that includes India has jointly stated that carbon border taxes could result in market distortion and aggravate the trust deficit amongst parties and must be avoided.
• The BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries calls for unfair shifting of responsibilities from developed to developing countries.
• India’s concerns - CBAM will negatively impact the Indian industry which has significant export interests in the EU.
• The EU has been the destination for nearly 17% of total Indian exports in the period of 2012-2021. Around 6% of these exports will fall under the purview of the CBAM.

The EU is India’s second-largest trading partner after the U.S. and the second largest destination for Indian exports.

References

1. The Hindu -  BASIC countries oppose ‘carbon border tax’
2. The Economic Times - EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan

India joined the latest meeting of the ‘Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan’ held at Moscow.

• The Moscow format of talks is one of the several dialogue platforms on Afghanistan.
• It began before the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
• The Moscow format was introduced in 2017 on the basis of the six-party mechanism for consultations between special representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India.
• At the 4^th Moscow format, the participants agreed to continue coordinating regional efforts to promote inter-Afghan national reconciliation and enhance security and stability in the region.
• India emphasised on
  1. Providing immediate humanitarian assistance,
  2. Formation of a truly inclusive and representative government,
  3. Combating terrorism and drug trafficking and
  4. Preserving the rights of women, children and minorities.
• On side-lines of the Moscow format meet, India-Russia-Iran will hold a trilateral meet focusing on Afghanistan with the three having similar concerns over Taliban ruled Afghanistan.

References

1. The Indian Express - India joins Moscow meet on Afghanistan
2. The Hindu - India joins Moscow talks for inclusive government in Kabul
3. Business Standard - India attends Moscow format

CITES COP-19

The 19^th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to CITES is being held in Panama.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is also known as the Washington Convention.

• The COP19 to the CITES is also known as the World Wildlife Conference.
• In the CITES COP19, countries have proposals to amend the appendices for wild animals to Appendix I including red-crowned roofed turtle and African Elephant.
• It also proposes to include requiem and hammerhead sharks in Appendix II.
• India has put forward a proposal to better protect the red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) under CITES.

Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle

• The red-crowned roofed turtle (Batagur kachuga) is a species of freshwater reptile.

• Distribution - Native to India and Bangladesh.
• Habitat - Found in deep flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites.
• Food - Exclusively of water plants.
• Threats - The turtles are at a high risk of extinction.

1. Habitat loss due to pollution and hydrological projects specific in the Gangal lowlands of northern India and Bangladesh.
2. Overharvesting the animal for illegal consumption and
3. Illegal international trade.

Over 11,000 tortoises and freshwater turtles have been seized in India from 2009-2019, a study by TRAFFIC.

• Conservation
  1. IUCN - Critically Endangered
  2. CITES – currently Appendix II (India proposed to move it to Appendix II)

African Elephant

• African countries have demanded the African elephant be considered for Appendix I.
• Distribution - The elephant population is spread across 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Threat - Increasing ivory trade demand.
• Conservation

References

1. Down To Earth - India’s freshwater turtle in danger of extinction
2. CITES – COP19
3. Wildlife Institute of India - Red Crowned Roofed Turtle

Prime Minister’s gifts for G20 leaders

The Prime Minister at G20 meeting, presented artworks and traditional items representing the rich heritage of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh to world leaders.

References

1. The Indian Express - PM’s gifts for G20 leaders
2. CNBC - Gifts PM Modi presented to world leaders at G20