Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – GEOGRAPHY ; GS 2

Context: The Sahel region of Africa possesses vast resources, but its population remains enmeshed in poverty, famine, political instability and warfare. In the last two years, there have been military coups in Niger, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad.

Background: –

• A number of factors contribute to the plight of people in the Sahel region including weak state institutions, military coups, and external exploitation of its resources.

Key takeaways

• The Sahel is a region in western and north-central Africa that extends eastward from Senegal to Sudan, forming a transitional zone between the arid Sahara Desert to the north and humid Savannas to the south. 
• As per the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), the region has ten countries, i.e. Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria. 
• With its abundance of resources, including uranium, gold, and oil, the Sahel is one of the world’s most endowed regions. For instance, Mali is Africa’s third-largest gold producer, and Burkina Faso is the fourth-largest and fastest-growing producer of gold in the African Continent, and Niger is the world’s leading source of uranium.

Factors behind coups in the Sahel

• In recent years, there have been military coups in Mali (2020 and 2021), Niger (2023), Burkina Faso (2022), Guinea (2021), and Chad (2021).
• The inability of civilian governments to effectively control large territory, popular frustration with the deteriorating security, and the lack of economic and social progress are some of the major factors that contributed to military takeovers.
• Military usually capitalise on the widespread popular disenchantment with the elected governments to seize power. But they rarely have long-term vision.
• The rivalry among global powers in this unstable area has been the primary reason behind the political instability. 

Struggle for socio-economic development

• On the HDI, the countries of the region are in the bottom ten. In response to the crisis in Mali, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 2056, which led to the creation of UNISS in 2013. The strategy focuses on six critical areas: cross-border cooperation, prevention and sustaining peace, economic revitalisation and inclusive growth, climate action, renewable energy, and women and youth empowerment.
• The objectives of UNISS were intended to contribute to achieving both the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. However, the recent spate of military coups has revealed the failure of the policies in addressing the region’s root causes of instability.

External factors

• The Sahara-Sahel region has emerged as a new geopolitical hotspot, driven by a mix of weak states, interfering global powers, and transnational non-state actors. 
• For much of modern history, the region has been France-centric, with French forces frequently intervening to control and influence regional security. 
• The people of the Sahel continue to suffer in poverty because their leaders, along with their former colonial power, continued to exploit them. For instance, Niger was providing France with the majority of its uranium at a fraction of its market value.
• However, France’s aggressive intervention in 2013, encountered substantial resistance from local non-state actors and widespread resentment. This provided powers like Russia with an opportunity. Russia’s foothold in Libya, where it consolidated power through military groups like Wagner Group contractors, enabled it to position itself as an alternative security provider and expand its presence into Mali and Burkina Faso – countries that had grown disillusioned with France’s military presence.
• The failure of French foreign policy in the region has resulted in a power rivalry between France and Russia. The NATO intervention in Libya led to a surge in trans-Saharan terrorism and crime, created new security challenges. This failure of NATO provided Russia with an opportunity to fill the void.

The Sahel’s turmoil and India’s role

• Reliance on security-focused international dependence has failed to address the root causes of violence, poverty, and instability in the Sahel. In particular, the failure of the French efforts, which were largely focused on countering jihadism through militarisation and retaining its status as the dominant external player in Africa, has been detrimental.
• The international community’s role should focus on strengthening state institutions rather than prioritising self-serving resource extraction and security/military objectives. It should support Sahelian governments in a way that avoids creating perpetual external dependence.
• There are significant ramifications for India. The Sahel serves as a prime example of a geopolitical hotspot that could escalate tensions, potentially leading to a larger east-west conflict. The resulting upheaval would have a negative impact on India’s ambitions of becoming a global powerhouse. Moreover, India depends on critical resources such as oil, gas, and uranium from the Sahel and its surroundings. Therefore, India needs to engage meaningfully in efforts to stabilise the region. 

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: China has approved the construction of the world’s largest dam, stated to be the planet’s biggest infra project costing USD 137 billion, on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet close to the Indian border.

Background: –

• The Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river which flows through Southwestern China, Northeastern India, and Bangladesh. It is known as Brahmaputra or Luit in Assamese, Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan, the Siang/Dihang River in Arunachali, and Jamuna River in Bengali.

Key takeaways

• The Chinese government has approved the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. 
• The dam is to be built at a huge gorge in the Himalayan reaches where the Brahmaputra river makes a huge U-turn to flow into Arunachal Pradesh.
• The dam could produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That would more than triple the 88.2 billion kWh designed capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, currently the world’s largest, in central China.
• The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra river as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam states and finally into Bangladesh.
• The Brahmaputra Dam presents enormous engineering challenges as the project site is located along a tectonic plate boundary where earthquakes occur. The Tibetan plateau, regarded as the roof of the world, frequently experiences earthquakes as it is located over the tectonic plates.
• Concerns arose in India as the dam besides empowering China to control the water flow, the size and scale of it could also enable Beijing to release large amounts of water flooding border areas in times of hostilities.

Source: Reuters

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: Arsenic contamination, long a concern in Bihar’s water supply, has now been detected at alarming levels in staple foods such as rice, wheat and potatoes, posing significant health risks to thousands, particularly in rural areas.

Background:

• A study conducted by researchers from Patna-based Mahavir Cancer Sansthan and Research Centre has revealed high arsenic concentrations in these staple foods in 11 arsenic hotspot districts of Bihar. The findings underscored an urgent public health challenge as the food chain becomes increasingly contaminated.

Key takeaways

• Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid found in the Earth’s crust, existing in both organic and inorganic forms. 
• Inorganic arsenic compounds, typically more toxic, are commonly associated with groundwater contamination. 

Health Impacts

• Arsenicosis: Long-term exposure to arsenic-contaminated water can lead to arsenicosis, which includes skin lesions, cancer (skin, bladder, kidney, lung), and other health issues such as hypertension and diabetes.
• Arsenic is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
• Non-Carcinogenic Risks: Prolonged exposure can also cause non-carcinogenic health risks such as skin pigmentation changes and hard patches on palms and soles.

Arsenic Contamination in India:

• In India, arsenic contamination of groundwater is a significant public health concern, particularly in the alluvial plains of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin. The primary states affected include West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh. 
• In these regions, arsenic concentrations in groundwater often exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible limit of 10 µg/L.
• A study focusing on the Middle Ganga Plain in Bihar revealed that individuals consuming arsenic-laden water exhibited elevated arsenic levels in urine, hair, and nails, correlating with the concentrations found in their drinking water.

Sources and Mechanisms:

• The primary source of arsenic in Indian groundwater is geological, with arsenic naturally present in the sediments of the GBM basin. Alluvial aquifers, which constitute about 90% of the affected regions, are particularly susceptible. 
• In these aquifers, arsenic is released into groundwater under specific geochemical conditions, often exacerbated by human activities such as excessive groundwater extraction and the use of certain pesticides.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Indian Army contingent departed for Nepal to participate in 18th edition of Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN. 

Background: –

• The exercise will be conducted in Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025. 

Key takeaways

• Exercise Surya Kiran is a bilateral military exercise conducted annually between the Indian and Nepalese armies.
• The exercise is held alternately in India and Nepal
• The aim of Exercise SURYA KIRAN is to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter terrorism operations in mountains, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter. 

Source: PIB

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 17 children, in seven categories, for their exceptional achievements at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre recently.

Background: –

• The President also paid homage to the unparalleled sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, commemorated as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ on December 26.

Key takeaways

• The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is the highest civilian honor for children in India, recognizing their exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements.
• Eligibility
  • A child who is an Indian Citizen and is resident of India.
  • Age Limit: A Child above the age of 5 years and not exceeding 18 years.
  • The act/incident/achievement should have been within 2 years of the last date of receipt of application/nomination for the year of consideration.
• Categories: Awards are given in seven categories: Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, and Sports.

Award Process

• Nomination: Nominations are invited from various sources, including state governments, school boards, and ministries.
• Selection: The applications received are first scrutinized by the Screening Committee and the final selection is done by the National Selection Committee.

Source: PIB

Q1.) With reference to arsenic contamination in India, consider the following statements:

1. The primary source of arsenic in Indian groundwater is industrial pollution.
2. Inorganic arsenic compounds are generally more toxic than organic arsenic compounds.
3. Bihar and West Bengal are among the states significantly affected by arsenic contamination in groundwater.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Exercise Surya Kiran, recently seen in the news, is conducted between which of the following countries?

(a) India and Bhutan

(b) India and Nepal

(c) India and Sri Lanka

(d) India and Bangladesh

Q3.) With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP), consider the following statements:

1. The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) is the highest civilian honor for children in India.
2. Only children below the age of 19 years who are Indian citizens are eligible for this award.
3. The awards are given in five categories, including Art & Culture and Bravery.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – a