Current Affairs 16th April 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Hydrocarbons

Context: Hydrocarbons significantly impact the environment through CO2 emissions. Emissions occur throughout the hydrocarbon lifecycle (production, use, well abandonment)

How Hydrocarbons Are Formed and Extracted?

• Formation: Over millions of years, heat and pressure compress dead organic matter into hydrocarbons trapped in rock formations.
• Location:
  • Hydrocarbons are found underground in reservoirs formed by layers of rock.
  • Petroleum geologists assess these rocks for porosity (holding capacity) and permeability (ease of flow).
  • The source of hydrocarbons is kerogen (organic matter) from lakes, oceans, or landmasses.
  • Kerogen type determines the kind of hydrocarbon formed (oil, gas, coal).
• Extraction:
  • Drilling and reservoir engineers aim to extract hydrocarbons efficiently without damaging the reservoir.
  • A production well is drilled to maximise drainage. The well uses a drill bit, drill pipe, and drill collars.
  • Steel casings and cement lining protect the well from collapsing and fluids entering.
  • Drilling fluid cools the drill bit and carries rock cuttings to the surface.
  • Blowout preventers control pressure and prevent uncontrolled eruptions.
  • Mud-logging records rock cuttings by depth to study their properties.
  • Drilling rigs can be used offshore on platforms.
• Well Completion and Production:
  • Once drilled, the well is completed by removing the drill string and perforating the casing.
  • Ideally, natural pressure pushes hydrocarbons to the surface through a narrower tube.
  • If pressure is low, pump jacks or other methods lift hydrocarbons.
  • Older wells may require workovers to maintain or improve production.
• Production Phases:
  • Primary phase relies on natural pressure differences and buoyancy.
  • Secondary phase uses injected water or diluents to maintain pressure and flow.
  • Tertiary phase uses enhanced recovery methods like steam injection to extract remaining hydrocarbons.
  • A well might yield around 15% each in primary, secondary, and tertiary phases.
• Well Abandonment and Decommissioning:
  • Extraction ends before a well is completely depleted, often due to economic reasons.
  • Abandoned wells are plugged to prevent contents from escaping. Plugs can be temporary or permanent.
  • Improperly plugged wells are a major source of methane emissions.
  • Decommissioning a well is expensive and not always commercially viable.

Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

Context: Wholesale price inflation rose to a 3-month high of 0.53% in March 2024, compared to 0.2% in February 2024.

More in News

Food Price Spike: The increase was driven by a rise in the food price index (4.65%), particularly:

• Cereals (9.04%): Highest 12-month increase
• Paddy (11.7%)
• Potato (53%)
• Onions (57%)

Pulses & Vegetables Remain High: Inflation in pulses (17.2%) and vegetables (19.5%) stayed elevated.

Fuel & Manufactured Goods Still Deflating: Prices of fuel and manufactured products continued to decline, though at a slower rate (around -0.8% each).

First Monthly Increase in 4 Months: Month-on-month, WPI rose 0.4% (first increase since November 2023).

Mixed Picture Within Food:

• Eggs, meat, and fish prices decreased (1.86%).
• Milk inflation eased (4.7%) but wheat prices rose sharply (7.43%).

Full Year Deflation: Despite the March rise, wholesale prices remained negative for the entire year (average -0.7%).

Concerns for the Future:

• Rising international commodity prices
• Potential increase in crude oil prices
• Impact of heatwaves on electricity demand
• Continued vegetable inflation

A&N Islands’ – Strategic importance

Context:

• India’s Look East policy has shifted to a more proactive Act East policy.
• Recognition of the importance of naval power and China’s growing navy has led to a focus on developing India’s island territories.
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&N Islands) are a strategically vital group of islands due to their location.

Strategic Importance of A&N Islands

• Location:
  • 700 nautical miles southeast of mainland India.
  • Less than a day’s steaming from the Malacca Strait (key waterway connecting Indian & Pacific Oceans).
  • Close proximity to Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
  • Potential location for the mouth of a future Kra Canal connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea.

• Role in Maritime Security:
  • A&N Islands offer a vantage point for monitoring the Bay of Bengal.
  • They can be the “first line of offence” against threats from the East.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is a tri-services military command established in 2001.

Reasons for Slow Development of Strategic Infrastructure

• Delayed recognition of the islands’ strategic importance.
• Distance from the mainland and infrastructure challenges.
• Complexities of environmental clearances and land acquisition.
• Multi-agency coordination issues for large-scale development projects.
• Prioritisation of short-term political gains over long-term strategic vision.

Focus Areas for Strategic Infrastructure Development

• Maritime Security:
  • Surveillance of the vast area around the islands.
  • Securing all islands against occupation or illegal activities.
• Deterrence: Establish a strong deterrent against potential naval threats from the East.
• Economic Infrastructure: Develop infrastructure on the southern islands to boost maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
• Connectivity: Improve ease of travel within and between the islands to facilitate development and tourism.
• Self-Sufficiency: Reduce dependence on mainland India for supplies and services.

Specific Infrastructure Priorities

• Airfields: Separate airfields with long runways (suitable for Boeing 737s) in both north and south.
• Ports and Fuel Storage: Establish ports and fuel storage facilities in both island groups.
• Military Presence: Increase troop deployment and station the right mix of military assets at the ANC (surveillance aircraft, fighter jets).
• Galathea Bay (Great Nicobar Island) Transhipment Port: Expedite development for international and Indian shipping services.
• Transportation: Develop road networks, high-speed ferries, and a seaplane terminal.
• Faster Development: Utilise foreign materials and expertise for building weather-resistant and earthquake-proof infrastructure.
• Environmental Clearances: Streamline forest and environmental clearance processes for defence projects.
• Planned Habitation: Consider planned habitation of uninhabited islands with incentives for eco-friendly development.
• International Collaboration: Explore partnerships with Quad and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) for development assistance.

Climate Litigations

Context:

• The European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of 2,000 Swiss women over the Swiss government’s inadequate climate change actions.
• This landmark ruling may set a precedent for European courts and encourage more communities to legally challenge their governments over climate change policies.
• The ruling coincides with India’s Supreme Court expanding citizens’ rights to include freedom from adverse effects of climate change.

Background

• A group of over 2,000 Swiss women above 64 (KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz) sued the Swiss government in 2016.
• They argued the government’s weak climate policies violated their human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
• Their case focused on vulnerability to extreme heat as elderly women, referencing IPCC reports on health risks.

Court Ruling

• The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) sided with the women.
• The court affirmed that Article 8 of the European Convention includes the right to state protection from serious climate change effects on individuals’ lives and well-being.
• Switzerland’s inadequate policies and failure to meet emission reduction goals breached this right.
• The ECHR cannot dictate specific policies but requires Switzerland to update its climate action plans.

Significance of the Ruling

• Sets a precedent for climate litigation in Europe (46 ECHR member states).
• National courts must consider this ruling in future climate and human rights cases.
• May encourage similar lawsuits in other ECHR member states.
• Reinforces the need for stronger climate action by governments.

Rise of Global Climate Litigation

• The Swiss case reflects a growing trend of climate lawsuits worldwide.
• As of December 2022, over 2,180 climate cases were filed globally.
• Diverse groups like youth, women, and indigenous communities are driving this trend.
• Recent examples include successful lawsuits against governments in Montana (US) and India (rejected).

Overall Impact

• The ECHR ruling is a major victory for climate activists and could lead to stricter climate policies in Europe.
• It highlights the increasing use of legal action to hold governments accountable for climate change.

Examples, Data and Case Studies For Value Addition

• Geography (GS 1): Mumbai’s Worli Koliwada will be the site for India’s second artificial reef installation, following Pondicherry, to enhance marine biodiversity.
• International Relation (GS 2): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved a plan for India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) to manage all operations at Sittwe port on Myanmar’s Kaladan River, marking India’s second international port venture following Chabahar Port.

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