08 August 2025 - Daily CA Updates

1. Topic: Sea of Japan

Subtopic: Geopolitics & Physical Geography Value Addition:

• Ongoing Russia–China joint naval drills highlight the region’s strategic importance in East Asian security architecture.

• Enclosed marginal sea of the western Pacific; 978,000 sq km; bordered by Japan, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea.

• Limited river inflow (<1% water exchange), almost tide-less like the Mediterranean; key ports: Vladivostok, Wonsan, Niigata.

• Acts as a climate moderator for Japan; connects to multiple seas via strategic straits (Tsushima, La Perouse, Tsugaru).
  

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1 (Geography): Physical geography, straits & maritime climate influence.

• GS 2 (IR): Strategic maritime cooperation, East Asia geopolitics.

• Prelims: Straits, ports, and location-based mapping.
  

2. Topic: Flash Floods in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Subtopic: Disaster Characteristics & Cloudburst Differentiation Value Addition:

• Sudden-onset floods within 6 hours, often in hilly terrains; high-intensity, localized, and destructive.

• Not a cloudburst — IMD defines cloudburst as ≥100 mm rainfall in 1 hour over 10×10 km area; Uttarkashi recorded only 2.7 mm in 24 hrs.

• Triggers: GLOFs, cloudbursts, dam breaches; linked to climate variability & extreme weather patterns.
  

Subject Analysis:

• GS 1: Climatic phenomena & disaster-prone regions in India.

• GS 3: Disaster management strategies, IMD classification criteria.

• Prelims: Cloudburst definition, difference from normal floods.
  

GS 2 – International Relations, Security

3. Topic: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

Subtopic: Cold War Disarmament & Current Erosion Value Addition:

• 1987 Reagan–Gorbachev pact eliminated ground-launched missiles (range 500–5,500 km); destroyed 2,619 missiles in 3 years.

• First treaty to remove an entire class of nuclear weapons; included mutual verification mechanisms.

• US withdrew in 2019 citing Russian violations; Russia now suspends compliance, risking renewed arms race.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 2: Disarmament diplomacy, arms control erosion, global security implications.

• Prelims: INF provisions, range limits, verification clauses.
  

GS 3 – Environment, Agriculture, S&T, Biodiversity, Health

4. Topic: Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Subtopic: Cold Desert Agroforestry & Space Research Value Addition:

• Known as ‘Ladakh Gold’; thrives between –43°C to 40°C; drought-resistant.

• Berries rich in Vitamin C; leaves are high-protein fodder for camels, yaks, and goats.

• Part of NASA’s Crew-11 space experiments—exploring growth in microgravity.
  

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Climate-resilient crops, high-altitude agriculture.

• Prelims: Distribution in Ladakh/Spiti, traditional uses.
  

5. Topic: Bio-Fortified Potatoes

Subtopic: Nutritional Security via Crop Biofortification Value Addition:

• Iron-rich potato varieties developed with germplasm from International Potato Centre (Peru).

• Addresses ‘hidden hunger’—micronutrient deficiency in staple diets.

• Complements Vitamin A–rich sweet potatoes already in Indian states.

• ICAR has released biofortified varieties in 61 crops.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Nutrition-agriculture linkage, ICAR initiatives.

• Prelims: Biofortification definition, CR Dhan 416, Durum Wheat nutrition profile.
  

6. Topic: Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys phayrei)

Subtopic: Species Recovery in Northeast India Value Addition:

• Largest mainland Asian tortoise; Critically Endangered (IUCN), CITES Appendix II.

• Reintroduced in Nagaland’s Zeliang Community Reserve.

• Exhibits rare parental egg-guarding behavior among reptiles.
  

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Species conservation, community-led biodiversity efforts.

• Prelims: Habitat range, unique behaviors.
  

7. Topic: Hepatitis D

Subtopic: Viral Co-Infection & Public Health Risk

Value Addition:

• HDV requires HBV for replication; vaccine for HBV also prevents HDV.

• WHO lists it as carcinogenic—linked to liver cancer risk.

• India’s NVHCP aims to eliminate Hep C by 2030, reduce deaths from other hepatitis types.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Health programs, WHO classification.

• Prelims: Difference between Hepatitis types, NVHCP goals.
  

8. Topic: Krill

Subtopic: Keystone Marine Species & Carbon Sequestration Value Addition:

• Small crustaceans, foundation of Antarctic food chain—feed whales, seals, penguins.

• Remove ~20 million tonnes CO₂ annually via biological pump.

• Threats: Climate change, overfishing.

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Marine ecology, climate regulation role.

• Prelims: Keystone species definition, krill behavior.
  

Facts for Prelims

9. Topic: International Deep Seabed Day – 1 November

Subtopic: ISA’s 30th Anniversary Decisions Value Addition:

• Celebrates sustainable seabed governance under UNCLOS.

• Progress on Common Heritage Fund for equitable seabed mining benefits.

• Economic Planning Commission to assess mining impacts.
  

Subject Analysis:

• GS 3: Ocean governance, deep-sea mining ethics.

• Prelims: UNCLOS Part XI, ISA functions.