Why in the News?

The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) issued a warning to major airports about levying aeronautical charges without approval.

About Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA):

• Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), established under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008, is a statutory body entrusted with the crucial task of regulating tariffs and associated charges for aeronautical services at major airports.
• This includes overseeing air traffic management, aircraft landing and parking, and ground handling services.
• The designation of an airport as "major" hinges on the 2008 Act, considering an annual passenger traffic threshold of at least 15 lakh.
• An amendment in 2019 elevated this criterion to 35 lakh annual passengers.
• For other airports, tariff determination falls under the purview of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• As an independent economic regulator, AERA operates with the objective of creating an equitable playing field, fostering healthy competition among major airports, promoting investment in airport facilities, and ensuring transparent regulation of aeronautical service tariffs.
• This initiative arose from the recognition of the need for an independent regulatory body capable of safeguarding the interests of both service providers and consumers.
• Headquartered in Delhi, AERA's history traces back to a time when most Indian airports were under the governance of the central government.
• The shift towards private sector participation in airport infrastructure development prompted the need for a distinct regulator.
• The Naresh Chandra Committee set up in 1997, recommended the establishment of an independent regulatory authority.
• Subsequently, the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (AERA Act), was enacted, leading to the creation of AERA.

About Airports Authority of India (AAI):

• Airports Authority of India (AAI), established through an Act of Parliament on April 1, 1995, resulted from the merger of the National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India.
• Entrusted with a significant role, AAI is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure both on the ground and in the airspace of the country.
• Main Functions of AAI Include
• Construction, modification, and management of passenger terminals.
• Development and management of cargo terminals.
• Development and maintenance of apron infrastructure, encompassing runways, parallel taxiways, aprons, etc.
• Provision of Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance, involving DVOR / DME, ILS, ATC radars, visual aids, etc.
• Provision of air traffic services.
• Provision of passenger facilities and related amenities at its terminals.

Why in the News?

Bihar’s only wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention lies neglected and is on the brink of drying up, even as the state is pitching other waterbodies for classification.

About Kanwar Lake:

• Kanwar Taal, known as Kabar Taal or Kabartal Wetland, is an oxbow lake in Begusarai district, Bihar, India.
• It is the largest freshwater oxbow lake in Asia, covering an area of 67.5 km².
• The lake was established as a bird sanctuary in 1987 and is now a designated Ramsar site since 2020.
• Covering the majority of the Indo-Gangetic plains in northern Bihar, this lake was declared a Ramsar site in 2020, making it the first wetland in Bihar to be included in the Ramsar convention.
• Kanwar Taal is a significant wetland in Bihar and is an essential stopover for migratory waterbirds along the Central Asian Flyway.
• The lake provides vital flood absorption during the monsoon season and supports agriculture during the dry season.
• It also houses five critically endangered species and over 50 fish species.
• Biodiversity: Kanwar Taal is rich in biodiversity.
• It is home to a wide range of plant and animal species.
• It supports 165 plant species and 394 animal species, including 221 species of birds.
• These bird species include both resident and migratory birds, with the lake serving as an important stopover point for migratory waterbirds travelling along the Central Asian Flyway.
• Flood Absorption: The wetland plays a crucial role in flood absorption during the monsoon season.
• It helps in reducing the impact of floods in the region by absorbing excess water, which is important for flood control and the protection of nearby areas.
• Agricultural Support: During the dry season, Kanwar Taal supports agriculture in the surrounding areas.
• The water from the lake is used for irrigation, benefiting local farmers and contributing to the region's agricultural productivity.
• Endangered Species: The wetland is home to five critically endangered species, highlighting its significance in conserving rare and threatened wildlife.
• Additionally, it hosts over 50 fish species, contributing to the aquatic biodiversity of the region.

What are Oxbow Lakes?

• Oxbow lakes are crescent-like water bodies formed due to erosion and deposition in meanders of rivers.
• Meanders are loops or curved structures formed in the course of a river due to friction or tectonic activity.
• The speed of water flow in the outer section of this meander is more than the inner part causing its neck to become narrower over time.
• Eventually, the size of this loop increases making it harder for the river to flow through it so it opts for a straight path.
• Finally, the ends of this meandered loop are separated by deposition of sediments or silt separating the river and a horseshoe-like structure called oxbow lake.

Why in the News?

The Union Ministry of Development of the North-East Region virtually launched the “MDoNER Data Analytics Dashboard” and “Poorvottar Sampark Setu” portal at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi recently.

About Poorvottar Sampark Setu Portal:

• The Poorvottar Sampark Setu portal is a robust tool designed to streamline and improve the monitoring of Union Ministers' fortnightly visits to the North Eastern Region (NER)

Key features include:

• Insightful Dashboard: The portal offers a comprehensive dashboard presenting valuable insights and graphical information on state-wise/district-wise visits to NER by Union Ministers, serving as a centralized resource for stakeholders.
• Curated Minister List: It generates a curated list of Ministers eligible for nomination for visits to NER in the upcoming months, facilitating efficient planning.
• Online Tour Reporting: After their visit, Ministers can conveniently submit tour reports and recommendations online, streamlining the reporting process.
• Recommendation Analysis: MDoNER (Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region) can analyze and forward the received recommendations to respective line Ministries, Departments, and State Governments for prompt action.
• Summary Report Generation: The portal offers a one-click summary report generation feature, simplifying the overview of visits for effective decision-making.

What is the MDoNER Data Analytics Dashboard?

• The MDoNER Data Analytics Dashboard is a comprehensive platform integrating data from 112 schemes across 55 Departments and Ministries.

Its key benefits include:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Empowers stakeholders with data-driven insights for informed decision-making.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlines operations, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow.
• Centralized Monitoring: Provides a centralized hub for monitoring diverse schemes and initiatives.
• Policy-Level Decision Tool: Functions as a valuable tool for crafting policies based on robust data analysis.
• Information Integration: Integrates information seamlessly, fostering coherence and accessibility.
• Focused Monitoring: Keeps a vigilant eye on NER Aspirational districts, North East border districts, and the most backward districts in NER for targeted interventions.

Why is it in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gunji near Kalapani, Uttarakhand has triggered an uproar in Nepal.

About Gunji Village:

• Gunji Village, situated in the Dharchula tehsil of Pithoragarh district in northern Uttarakhand, holds a strategic location near the borders of Tibet and Nepal.
• Nestled at an altitude of 3500 meters, it marks the confluence of the Kuthi Yankti and Kalapani Rivers at the eastern end of the Kuthi Valley, offering stunning views of Mount Api in Nepal.
• Covering a geographical area of 188.9 hectares, Gunji is a seasonal abode for its inhabitants.
• During winters, the residents, totalling 335 people in 194 households as per the 2011 census, migrate to lower altitudes, primarily to Dharchula within the same district.
• The village is under the administration of a Sarpanch, the elected head.
• Renowned for its connection to the traditional Indian/Nepalese route to Kailas–Manasarovar, Gunji attracts visitors seeking its breathtaking vistas.
• To embark on a journey to Gunji, obtaining an Inner Line permit is a prerequisite.

What is an Inner line permit (ILP)?

• An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India, facilitating the inward travel of Indian citizens into a protected area for a limited duration.
• It is mandatory for Indian citizens residing outside these specific states to secure a permit before entering the designated state.
• This document serves as a regulatory measure by the government to manage and monitor the movement of individuals into areas located in proximity to India's international borders.
• The concept originates from the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations of 1873, designed to safeguard the Crown's interests in trades such as tea, oil, and elephants by restricting the entry of "British subjects" into these designated "Protected Areas.
•  In 1950, the term "British subjects" was replaced by "Citizen of India."
• ILPs come in various types, including those for tourists and others intended for individuals planning extended stays, often for employment purposes.

Why in the News?

The project — “Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP)” — aims to uncover the effects of genomic and environmental diversity on disease risk observed in people across the world, including those in Asia, Africa and North and South America.

About the Project, The Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP):

• The Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP) is a pioneering genomics and epigenomics initiative aimed at unravelling the genetic underpinnings of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in diverse populations, including South Asians.
• This five-year international project seeks to illuminate the impact of genomic and environmental diversity on disease risk across global populations, spanning Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
• Researchers will examine individuals from varied genetic and environmental backgrounds, analyzing DNA methylation patterns to discern their contributions to disease risk within each context.
• The study involves the development of software, infrastructure, and advanced statistical analyses to create new resources, integrated with existing international health and genetics databases for assessing trends in DNA methylation variation.
• This initiative holds significance as it aims to identify common and region-specific disease-causing mechanisms, addressing questions about the universal effectiveness of medicines and paving the way for targeted interventions to reduce global health disparities.

What is DNA methylation?

• DNA methylation is a molecular process involving the attachment of chemical groups to DNA, influencing the activation and deactivation of genes.
• This epigenetic modification plays a crucial role in enabling the body to respond to environmental signals, thereby contributing to overall systemic health and disease status.
• The intricate interplay between DNA methylation, genetics, and the environment is essential for unravelling the pathways that underlie health and disease, providing insights into their interconnected consequences.