04 Dec 2024: Daily Current Affairs Updates

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC); GS-2 (Polity) ▪️ Why in the News: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended the rules governing the selection of experts to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

About: The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is a statutory body constituted under the "Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export, and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)" established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

> Background:

o. Initially named the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, its name was changed to the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010

• It operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF &CC).

👉🏻 Functions of GEAC:

o. Environmental Assessment: Evaluates activities involving large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from an environmental perspective.

o. Approval for Field Trials: Reviews proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms and products, including experimental field trials.

• Regulatory Oversight: Monitors the use, import, and export of genetically modified organisms and crops. Ensures environmental clearance is obtained before the release of GM crops.

• Enforcement Powers: Authorized to take punitive actions under the Environment (Protection) Act for violations.

👉🏻 Composition:

• Chaired by the Special Secretary or Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC.

• Co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

👉🏻 New Rules for Selecting Experts:

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Experts must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could influence their duties. They are required to ensure conflicts of interest do not affect GEAC decisions.

• Recusal from Discussions: Experts with direct or indirect links to a matter under discussion must disclose their involvement before the meeting. Unless explicitly requested by the committee, such members should recuse themselves from discussions.

National Sports Awards, 2024; GS-2 (Governance)

▪️ Why in the news: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2024 recently.

👉🏻 Purpose: The National Sports Awards are presented annually to honor and reward individuals and organizations for excellence in sports.

👉🏻 Categories of Awards:

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: This award recognizes a sportsperson for exceptional and most remarkable performance in sports over the preceding four years.

• Arjuna Award: Conferred for outstanding performance in sports and games over the past four years. Acknowledges qualities such as leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.

• Arjuna Award (Lifetime): Presented to retired athletes who have made significant contributions to sports through their performances and continue to promote sports post-retirement.

• Dronacharya Award: Awarded to coaches for their consistent and exemplary contribution to training sportspersons, enabling them to achieve excellence in international competitions.

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy: Bestowed upon the university that emerges as the top overall performer in the Khelo India University Games.

👉🏻 Selection Process:

• The awards are decided by a committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) V.

Ramasubramanian from the Supreme Court of India.

o. The committee includes renowned sportspersons, experienced sports journalists, and sports administrators.

Palla's Cat; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: The first photographic evidence of the elusive Pallas's cat (also known as manul) in Himachal Pradesh, India has been recorded during a snow leopard population survey in the Kinnaur region.

> About: The Pallas's cat, also known as the manul (Otocolobus manul), is a small, long-haired feline belonging to the Felidae family.

‣ Naming and Discovery:

• It is named after Peter Simon Pallas; a naturalist who first described the species in 1776.

• The description was based on specimens collected near Lake Baikal in Russia.

‣Distribution:

• These cats are primarily found across Central Asia.

• Their range includes countries such as western Iran, Mongolia, China, Russia (bordering Mongolia and China), Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

• They typically inhabit mountainous plains and semi-desert foothills within these regions.

‣ Physical Features:

• Comparable to a domestic cat, the Pallas's cat has soft, silvery gray or light brown fur.

• The body length varies between 45-60 cm (18-24 inches), with a tail length of 23-30 cm.

• They weigh between 2.5-3.5 kilograms (5.5-7.7 pounds).

• They have a broad head with high-set eyes and low-set ears.

‣ Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Classified as "Least Concern."

•. CITES: Listed under Appendix II, ensuring regulated trade to avoid exploitation.

Brazilian Velvet Ant; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: Brazilian velvet ant has ultra-dark markings that reflect less

than 1 percent of visible light.

> About: Velvet ants are parasitic wasps known for their bright coloration and powerful sting, which serve as effective defensive adaptations:

> Appearance:

• Despite being wasps, some velvet ants lack wings.

• They are named for their velvety exteriors and are particularly notable for their distinctive black and white markings.

> Habitat: These insects inhabit the shrub desert ecosystem of Brazil, known as the Caatinga region.

• Characteristics:

• Brazilian velvet ants exhibit remarkable mobility, traveling significant distances to locate suitable hosts on the ground.

• Active throughout the day, they are most commonly observed during the early morning and late afternoon, when sunlight is less intense.

• Recent studies revealed that the black sections on female velvet ants' bodies exhibit ultrablack pigmentation, absorbing nearly all visible light.

> Significance of Ultrablack Pigmentation:

• Rarity: Ultrablack pigmentation is an uncommon trait in the animal kingdom.

• It provides multiple advantages, including:

Camouflaging from predators.

Regulating body temperature.

Enhancing mate attraction, as the stark contrast against brighter colors can be visually appealing.