India Becomes Third Largest Producer of Solar Power

forumias.com/blog/india-becomes-third-largest-producer-of-solar-power

Source- This article on India Becomes Third Largest Producer of Solar Power is based on the article “India is now third largest
producer of solar power” published in the “The Hindu” on “9th May 2024”.

Why in News
According to a report by international energy analytics agency Ember, India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-highest
producer of solar power in 2023. India generated 113 billion units (BU) of solar power in 2023 compared to Japan’s 110 BU.

What is the Status of Installed Power and Solar Power in India

1. India’s ranking in terms of Installed Power Capacity- The installed power capacity includes both renewable and non-renewable
energy. In terms of installed capacity, India is at 5th position in the world.

2. Gap in Solar Power production due to demand-supply mismatch- According to NITI aayog, while solar power constitutes 18% of
India’s total installed electricity of 442 GW, it contributes to only 6.66% of the power production. This reflects a gap between the potential
and actual solar power produced. This gap in solar power produced is dependent on country’s power demand and local circumstances.
 Source- The Indian Express

Who are the Leaders in Solar Power Production

1. China tops in the Solar Power Production- China is the leading producer of solar power in the world, with 584 BU of solar power in
2024. It is more than the next four countries combined, that is the United States, India, Japan, and Germany.

2. US is at the Second Spot- India needs to more than double its current solar production to overtake USA, which is at the second spot
with 228 BU of Solar Production.
Status of Renewable energy in the World
1. Expansion of renewable energy- Renewable energy’s share in the global electricity production has expanded from 19% in 2000 to
30% in 2023. This is driven mainly by an increase in solar and wind power.

2. China is the main driver of the increase- China alone accounts for 51% of the additional global solar generation and 60% of new
global wind generation in 2023.

3. Generation of electricity from low Carbon Sources- World generates 40% of its electricity from low carbon sources, which
includes renewable sources and nuclear Power.

UPSC Syllabus- Environment

Vietnam pushing US for Changing the Non-Economy Market Status
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Source- This post on Vietnam pushing US for Changing the Non-Economy Market Status is based on the article “Why Vietnam
wants US to change its ‘non-market economy’ status” published in ” The Indian Express” on “9th May 2024”.

Why in News
Vietnam has been pushing the US government to change Vietnam’s ‘non-market economy‘ classification to ‘market economy‘. This push
is aimed to avoid high taxes imposed by the US on the goods imported from Vietnam.

Even though, Vietnam has emerged as one of the top trading partners of the US and has helped thwart China’s expanding influence in
the South-east Asian region, it has continued to be on US’s list of non-market economies for more than two decades.

Source- The Indian Express

How are economies designated as ‘non-market economies’ by the US

Designation criteria- Economies are designated by the US as a non-market economy based on several factors. These are mentioned
below-
a. Country’s currency convertibility.
b. Wage rates determination by free bargaining between labour and management
c. Ease of FDI inflow
d. State control over the ownership of plants and machineries, price and output decisions
e. Human rights

Present ‘Non-Market Economies’- At present, the US has designated 12 countries as non-market economies. This includes Russia,
China, Vietnam and some countries which used to be a part of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Implications of Designation as a ‘Non-market economy’

The non-market economy label allows the US to impose “anti-dumping” duties on goods imported from designated countries. The level
of anti-dumping duties is determined by relying on the prices of import from a third country.

For ex- In case of Vietnam’s exports to US, the anti-dumping duty is imposed taking into consideration the final export landing price of
goods from Bangladesh.

Challenges in removal of name from ‘Non-market economies’ List

1. Opposition from US steel makers and the American Shrimp Processors Association- The push of Vietnam has been opposed
by US business associations, which cite reasons of state control of economy in Vietnam. For ex- Vietnam’s restrictions on land
ownership, weak labour laws, and lower shrimp duties.

2. Risks of Chinese circumvention of anti-dumping duties- Chinese state firms have invested heavily in Vietnam. There are
concerns that removal of Vietnam from the ‘non-market economies’ list, will let China more easily circumvent US tariffs on their goods.

UPSC Syllabus- International Relations

Darfur Region (Sudan)
forumias.com/blog/darfur-region-sudan

Source- This post on Darfur Region (Sudan) is based on the article “People eating ‘grass and peanut shells’ in Darfur” published in
CNN on “3rd May 2024”

Why in News
UN has warned of starvation related deaths in the Darfur Region of Sudan as people are being forced to eat ‘grass and peanut shells’
due to food scarcity amidst the ongoing civil war.

More than 8.7 million people, including 4.6 million children, have been displaced by the war in Sudan and 24.8 million are in need of
assistance.

About the Darfur Region

It is a region in western Sudan. The has been an ongoing civil war between the Arab and African communities. This has led to
widespread violence and human rights abuses.

Source- Copyright infringement not intended

About Sudan

Location Sudan is located in Northeast Africa.

Borders of It borders the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west, Egypt to the north, Eritrea to the
Sudan northeast, Ethiopia to the southeast, Libya to the northwest, South Sudan to the south, and the Red Sea.

Geographical It was the largest country by area in Africa and the Arab League until the secession of South Sudan in 2011.
Area

UPSC Syllabus- Geography (Places in News)

Shinku La tunnel
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Source-This post on Shinku La tunnel has been created based on the article” BRO to complete 2 roads near China border, start
work on world’s highest tunnel” published in “Hindustan Times” on 7 May 2024.

Why in the news?

The Border Roads Organisation is getting ready to start building the Shinku La tunnel, the world’s highest tunnel. This will create a
reliable connection from Manali to Leh through the Nimmu-Padam-Darcha route.

About Shinku La tunnel

Source-Hindustan Times

Description– This tunnel will become the world’s highest tunnel at 15,800 ft, surpassing Mila tunnel in China at 15,590 ft.

Length– 4.1-km long

Location– Nimmu-Padam-Darcha route.

Constructed by– Border Roads Organisation

What is the significance of this tunnel?
1) The route via Nimmu-Padam-Darcha axis will provide third connectivity option to Ladakh. The tunnel will cut the distance between
Manali and Leh by 60 km, bringing it down from 355 to 295 km. It is an alternative to the Manali-Leh-Kargil route.

2) It will fasten the transportation of large equipment to key areas like Kargil, Siachen and the Line of Control (LOC).

About Border Road Organization

Establishment: It was formed on 7 May, 1960, to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and
north-east states of the country.

Functions– It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighbouring countries. Since its inception,
BRO has constructed 62,214 km of roads, 1,005 bridges, seven tunnels and 21 airfields along India’s borders as well as in friendly
countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan

Read more- Zoji La

UPSC Syllabus-Geography in news

Arecanut
forumias.com/blog/arecanut

Source– This post on Arecanut has been created based on the article “Tirthahalli areca emerges best variety among nuts grown in
Karnataka” published in “The Hindu” on 4 May 2024.

Why in the news?

The arecanut grown in the Tirthahalli region has found to be the highest quality among all the varieties grown in Karnataka.

About Arecanut

Source-Vikaspedia

Description– It is usually referred to as Areca palm, yellow palm, butterfly palm etc.The arecanut palm is the source of a common
chewing nut, popularly known as betel nut or Supari.

Production– India is the largest producer as well as consumer of arecanut.

Major producing states– Karnataka (40%), Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and West Bengal.
Grading– Arecanut kernels are boiled, and then areca precipitates are added after removing the husk. Afterwards, the nuts are dried
and sorted into different grades like Nuli, Hasa, Rashi, Bette, and Gorabalu based on their market worth.

What are the favourable agroclimatic conditions for growing Arecanut ?

1) Climate– It is mostly confined to 28º north and south of the equator. It grows well within the temperature range of 14ºC and 36ºC . It
is adversely affected by temperatures below 10ºC and above 40ºC.

2) Soil– The largest area under the crop is found in gravelly laterite soils of red clay type. It can also be grown on fertile clay loam soils.

Sticky clay, sandy, alluvial, brackish and calcareous soils are not suitable for arecanut cultivation.

3) Ideal rainfall – 750 mm to 4500 mm/ Irrigation

4) Season–June – December is found to be the optimum.

Read more-Arecanut gets its first GI tag for ‘Sirsi Supari’

Glyptothorax punyabratai
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Source– This post on Glyptothorax punyabratai has been created based on the article “New Catfish Species Discovered in
Arunachal Pradesh by ICAR-NBFGR” published in “Krishi Jagran” on 7 May 2024.

Why in the news?

India’s leading institute for fish genetic resources ICAR-NBFGR has recently identified a new species of catfish, Glyptothorax
punyabratai, in the Tung Stream of Brahmaputra River drainage system.

About Glyptothorax punyabratai

Source-Krishi Jagran

Introduction– This is a new catfish species. It has been named in honour of Dr. Punyabarata Das, the founding director of ICAR-
NBFGR.

Found at– The species was collected from Tung Stream, a tributary of the Tissa River in Arunachal Pradesh.

Features-

A) They are known for adapting their bodies that enable them to cling onto rocks in fast-flowing waters.
B) It stands out because of its unique body shape, size, and tough, armor-like skin, making it easy to recognize.

Habitat and Distribution– It lives in certain freshwater areas in India.

What is the ecological significance of Glyptothorax punyabratai?

1) It plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance and functioning.

2) Its presence contributes to the regulation of prey populations and nutrient cycling.

What is the significance of this discovery?

1) It highlights the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts in safeguarding our natural heritage.

2) This newfound species adds to the rich biodiversity of the north-eastern region.

Read more-New catfish species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

NOTE-ICAR-NBFGR-The ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, located in Lucknow, was established in 1983.

UPSC Syllabus-Species in news.