22 January 2025 Daily Current Affairs Updates

Krishna River; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News: The Telangana government has welcomed the order of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II to adjudicate the matter of water allocation between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh based on the new terms of reference (TOR) provided under Section 3 of the Interstate River Water Disputes Act (ISRWD), 1956.

‣ Krishna River: The Krishna River is the fourth-largest river in India in terms of water inflows and river basins, following the Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra rivers.

‣Origin: The river originates in the Western Ghats of western Maharashtra, near Mahabaleshwar, approximately 64 km from the Arabian Sea.

‣ Tributaries: Right Bank Tributaries:

•. Ghatprabha

• Malprabha

•. Tungabhadra

•. Left Bank Tributaries:

• Bhima

• Musi • Munneru

Coffee; GS-3(Agriculture) ▪️Why in the news: India is now the seventh-largest coffee producer globally with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million in 2020-21.

> Historical Origin of Coffee Production in India:

The history of coffee cultivation in India dates back to 1600 AD when Baba Budan, a revered saint, introduced seven seeds of Mocha coffee to the Baba Budan Hills in Karnataka.

Commercial coffee plantations began in the 18th century, largely due to the efforts of British entrepreneurs.

‣ Types of Coffee Produced in India:

India primarily produces two varieties of coffee:

Arabica and Robusta.

• Arabica: Known for its mild aromatic flavor, it commands a higher market value.

• Robusta: Valued for its strong flavor, it is often used in creating various coffee blends.

‣ Coffee Board of India:

• The Coffee Board of India is a statutory body established under the Coffee Act of 1942.

• Its primary objective is to promote the sale and consumption of coffee within India and internationally.

• The board operates under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

o Its headquarters is located in Bangalore.

World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025; GS-3 (Economy) ▪️Why in the news: The global economy is slowing down, making it harder for labour markets to recover fully since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the International Labour Organization's (ILO) report, World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025

> World Employment and Social Outlook:

> Purpose: This report offers a comprehensive analysis of the global labor markets, examining key trends and challenges that affect employment worldwide.

> Focus Areas: It addresses issues such as the slow pace of labor market recovery, persistent youth unemployment, and the growing disparity in global job opportunities.

> Key Highlights of the Report:

• Global Employment Growth: In 2024, global employment increased at a rate consistent with the growth of the labor force, resulting in a steady unemployment rate of 5%.

• Challenges: The report identifies geopolitical tensions, the escalating costs of climate change, and unresolved debt issues as primary obstacles to labor market recovery. These factors are exerting pressure on labor markets globally.

‣ Labor Force Participation: The report highlights a decline in labor force participation rates in low-income countries, while in high-income nations, participation has risen, particularly among older workers and women.

Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), GS-3(Environment) ▪️Why in the news: The Jharkhand Forest Department has initiated a study to revive the dwindling population of Bison, popularly known as Gaur, at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR)

> Location: Situated on the western side of Latehar district in the Chhotanagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand, the reserve is part of Betla National Park

> Historical Significance: It is one of the initial nine tiger reserves established under 'Project Tiger'.

> Area: The reserve spans a total area of 1,014 sq. km., consisting of a core area of 414 sq. km. and a buffer zone of 600 sq. km.

- Terrain: The landscape is undulating, featuring a mix of valleys, hills, and plains.

• Rivers:

• Three rivers, the North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha, traverse the reserve.

• The Burha River is the only perennial water source in this drought-prone region.

> Vegetation:

• Dominant Forest Type: The reserve predominantly features Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests, particularly Sal forests and their associated species.