Daily Current Affairs - May 22nd 2025
Urban Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts
Introduction:
Biodiversity, which is crucial for human health, ecological stability, and economic growth, is currently facing significant threats, with approximately 25% of species at risk of extinction. The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated on May 22, marks the anniversary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted in 1992. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) seeks to protect 30% of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity by the year 2030.
Body Part:
Significance of Urban Biodiversity:
- Facilitates climate management, mitigates pollution, and promotes carbon capture.
- Enhances public health by creating green areas that alleviate stress and enhance air quality.
- Offers economic advantages by elevating property values and lowering healthcare expenses.
Threats to Urban Biodiversity:
- Uncontrolled urban growth resulting in the loss of natural habitats.
- Invasion of aquatic ecosystems and green areas.
- Environmental degradation and climate change disrupting ecological equilibrium.
Frameworks for Conservation:
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) promotes the incorporation of biodiversity within urban environments.
- The 3-30-300 Rule established by UN Habitat emphasizes the importance of ensuring that green spaces are accessible within a 300-meter radius of residential areas.
- The City Biodiversity Index serves as a tool for assessing the current state of biodiversity and the effectiveness of governance in urban settings.
Restoration and Sustainable Urban Planning:
- Initiatives aimed at enhancing greenery, such as the Koyambedu Market project in Chennai.
- Legal measures and ecological restoration efforts focused on urban water bodies, exemplified by the Pallikaranai marsh in Chennai.
- The establishment of regulations for rooftop gardens and tree planting in new construction projects.
Collective Action for Conservation:
- Rigorous implementation of measures to combat deforestation and environmental pollution.
- Engagement of local communities via resident welfare organizations and non-governmental organizations.
- Integration of biodiversity factors into the formulation of urban policies.
Conclusion:
The preservation of urban biodiversity is essential for ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing human well-being. Effective conservation strategies, legal safeguards, and community-led initiatives are vital to address the decline in biodiversity. Achieving a sustainable future requires the incorporation of biodiversity-conscious urban planning alongside collaborative efforts from all parties involved.
BrahMos-NG and Range Extension of BrahMos Missile
Introduction:
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, developed collaboratively by India and Russia, is experiencing notable enhancements. The upcoming compact air-launched variant, BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), is approaching its flight testing phase, while initiatives to increase the range of the original BrahMos missile to 800 km are advancing.
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Development of BrahMos-NG:
- The BrahMos-NG features a more compact and lightweight design compared to the current land and naval models.
- It is an air-launched variant that offers enhanced deployment capabilities, as it will not only be compatible with the Sukhoi Su-30MKI but also with other fighter aircraft, including the indigenous LCA Tejas.
- Flight testing is anticipated to commence within a year, with induction projected to occur within one to two years.
Range Extension of BrahMos Missile:
- Initial Range: Initially limited to 290 km because of India’s non-participation in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
- Progressive Enhancements: Following India’s accession to the MTCR in June 2016, the range was increased to 450 km, with efforts underway to reach an 800 km range capability.
- Recent Trials: The first trials have been successfully carried out, with additional trials scheduled to confirm the extended range capabilities.
Strategic Significance and Recent Deployments:
- The BrahMos missile was successfully utilized by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in recent military operations targeting Pakistani air bases, demonstrating its precision strike capabilities.
- Former Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari highlighted the significance of BrahMos-NG as the IAF’s primary deterrent for future missions.
- Additionally, the missile has effectively bypassed Pakistan’s air defense systems of Chinese origin in recent confrontations.
Conclusion:
The advancement of BrahMos-NG and the enhancement of the BrahMos missile range signify a significant progression in India’s defense capabilities. The sophisticated attributes of BrahMos-NG allow for flexible deployment on multiple fighter aircraft, while the increased range capabilities strengthen India’s strategic deterrence and precision strike abilities.
Lion Population and Conservation Efforts
Introduction:
The lion population in India, which is solely located in Gujarat, has experienced a 32% growth from 2020 to 2025, totaling 891 individuals, according to the Gujarat Forest Department. Additionally, the count of adult female lions, essential for maintaining population stability, has increased by 27%. Nevertheless, this rise has resulted in lions venturing outside of protected areas, thereby heightening the incidence of human-wildlife conflict.
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Growth in Lion Population:
- The greatest population of lions resides in Gir National Park and Paniya Wildlife Sanctuary, totaling 394 individuals.
- Furthermore, lions have begun to inhabit areas beyond their primary protected regions, signifying a change in their territorial distribution.
- From 2015 to 2020, their territorial range increased by 36.4% (30,000 square kilometers), projected to reach 35,000 square kilometers by 2025, reflecting a 16.67% growth.
Challenges Due to Population Expansion:
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: The growing closeness of human settlements raises issues regarding cattle predation and encroachment on habitats.
- Balancing Conservation and Community Needs: Although local communities exhibit tolerance and receive compensation for their losses, there is a pressing need for sustainable long-term solutions.
- Need for New Habitats: Specialists emphasize the importance of establishing more conservation areas both within and outside of Gujarat to accommodate the increasing populations.
Conservation Measures & Project Lion:
- Project Lion, with a budget of ₹2,900 crore, was initiated in March 2025 to improve lion habitats and establish new conservation zones in Gujarat.
- Additionally, Kuno National Park, which was initially designated as a lion sanctuary, now accommodates relocated cheetahs.
- While Gujarat remains a leading example of lion conservation, it is crucial to strategically expand habitats.
Conclusion:
The growing population of lions in India represents a significant achievement in conservation; however, their spread beyond designated protected areas requires proactive management of habitats. It is essential for conservationists and policymakers to incorporate new habitats and foster community involvement to guarantee sustainable coexistence and maintain ecological equilibrium.
International Booker Prize 2025: Historic Win for Kannada Literature
- Banu Mushtaq, a 77-year-old Kannada writer, lawyer, and activist, has made history by winning the International Booker Prize 2025.
- Her book “Heart Lamp”, a collection of 12 short stories written between 1990 and 2023, was selected for the award.
- The stories were translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi.
- This marks the first-ever win for Kannada language and the first time a short story collection has won the prestigious prize.
- The stories focus on the lived experiences of Muslim women, depicting themes of resilience, patriarchy, and cultural identity.
- The win comes three years after Geetanjali Shree won the prize in 2022 for Tomb of Sand (translated by Daisy Rockwell).
About the Winners
1) Banu Mushtaq
- Born in Hassan, Karnataka.
- Has been writing for over five decades.
- Her work is known for its emotive depth and portrayal of Muslim women’s everyday lives in a patriarchal setup.
- She blends activism and literature to represent minority voices in Indian society.
2) Deepa Bhasthi
- A noted translator and writer, known for her innovative and radical translation style.
- Her work in “Heart Lamp” was praised for reshaping English to reflect the cultural and linguistic plurality of Kannada.
About the Book: “Heart Lamp”
- A short story anthology of 12 stories written over three decades.
- Depicts the joys, sorrows, and struggles of Muslim women in Karnataka.
- The translation is notable for preserving the emotional and linguistic essence of the original Kannada.
- Described as literary, political, and poetic, the stories use nuanced narratives and local idioms.
International Booker Prize – UPSC Perspective
About the Prize:
- Awarded annually to a book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland.
- Recognizes both the author and the translator.
- Prize money of £50,000 is shared equally between them.
- Established to promote international literature and translation.
Importance
- Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power: Highlights India’s literary diversity and global cultural reach.
- Linguistic Diversity: Celebrates Indian regional languages, boosting recognition of vernacular literature.
- Translation and Global Access: Shows the importance of translation in cultural preservation and communication.
- Women in Literature: Emphasizes gender representation and social narratives in contemporary literature.
- Art and Society: Encourages understanding of how literature reflects societal change and minority rights.
Previous Indian Winners:
- Geetanjali Shree (2022) – Tomb of Sand (Hindi) – First Indian language book to win the prize.
- Arundhati Roy and Salman Rushdie have previously won or been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, not the International version.
Overfishing and the Threat to India’s Marine Ecosystems and Livelihoods
Exam-Relevant Summary
- India’s marine fisheries yield around 3–4 million tonnes annually, nearing its maximum sustainable yield.
- Small-scale fishers (90%) contribute only 10% of total catch, while mechanised operations dominate production.
- Poverty persists—around 75% of marine fisher families live below the poverty line.
- Overfishing, particularly juvenile fishing and indiscriminate trawling, is leading to ecological degradation, reduced catches, and irreversible stock collapses.
- India’s fragmented regulatory system, with different rules in each coastal State/UT under the Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts (MFRAs), leads to inconsistent enforcement and regulatory loopholes.
Ecological Impacts of Overfishing
- Juvenile catch due to small mesh nets (<25mm) depletes spawning biomass, reducing future yields.
- Bycatch during shrimp trawling: over 10 kg of non-target species discarded for every 1 kg of shrimp.
- Damage to reef ecosystems, marine food webs, and biodiversity.
- Collapses similar to:
- Canada’s Northern Cod Fishery (1992)
- California’s Pacific Sardine Fishery (mid-1900s)
Policy and Regulatory Gaps
- Different states have different regulations; fishers exploit these by landing catches across borders.
- No uniform standards for:
- Minimum Legal Size (MLS)
- Gear restrictions
- Closed seasons
- Catch limits
Best Practices and Case Studies
- Kerala’s MLS Rule on threadfin bream led to a 41% increase in catch in one season.
- New Zealand’s Quota Management System (QMS):
- Introduced in 1986.
- Uses scientific stock assessments.
- Implements Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs).
- Helped rebuild and stabilise fish populations.
Way Forward: Suggested Reforms
National Level
- Harmonise MFRAs with scientific, ecosystem-based guidelines.
- Cap fish-meal and fish-oil (FMFO) industry outputs.
- Mandate MLS, enforce closed seasons, and regulate gear.
- Optimise vessel licenses and subsidies to support sustainability.
State Level
- Equip agencies with real-time monitoring tools.
- Strengthen patrols and cross-border coordination.
Community Level
- Empower fisher cooperatives and panchayats to co-manage marine protected areas.
- Promote consumer awareness of sustainable seafood.