💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS3

  • PLI Scheme for White Goods

    Why in the News?

    The Centre has announced reopening of the application window for the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods, following the strong response and success of earlier rounds.

    Note: White goods refer to large household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners, so named because they were traditionally white.

    About the PLI Scheme for White Goods:

    • Objective: To create a complete component ecosystem for ACs and LED lights, integrating India into global supply chains and boosting domestic manufacturing.
    • Approval: Cleared by the Union Cabinet in April 2021; implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
    • Duration: Implemented over seven years (FY 2021–22 to FY 2028–29) with a total outlay of ₹6,238 crore.
    • Incentives: Provides 4–6% incentive on incremental turnover (over base year 2019–20) for both domestic sales and exports, applicable for five years to eligible companies.
    • Eligibility:
      • Applicant must be a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013.
      • Eligibility depends on achieving threshold levels of incremental sales and investments.
      • Entities availing benefits under any other PLI scheme for the same products are not eligible.
    • Beneficiaries So Far: 83 companies with committed investment of ₹10,406 crore have been approved under the scheme, covering AC and LED components across the entire value chain.
    • Employment and Exports: Expected to create jobs, expand exports, and enhance self-reliance in components that were earlier imported.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    Statement I: India accounts for 3.2% of global exports of goods.
    Statement II: Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India have taken advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
    (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
    (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    (d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct *

     

  • PM inaugurated India’s first Bamboo-based Ethanol Plant

    Why in the News?

    PM has inaugurated the world’s first bamboo-based ethanol plant in Golaghat district, Assam, marking a significant step in India’s green energy journey.

    Note: Ethanol is prepared from bamboo using a multi-step biochemical conversion process that transforms its rich cellulose content into fermentable sugars, which are then fermented and distilled into ethanol.

    About Assam Bioethanol Plant:

    • Overview: World’s first 2G bamboo-based bioethanol facility, developed jointly by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), Fortum (Finland), and Chempolis OY.
    • Feedstock: Uses 5 lakh tonnes of green bamboo annually, sourced from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and other NE states.
    • Production Capacity: Generates 48,900 MT ethanol, 11,000 MT acetic acid, 19,000 MT furfural, and 31,000 MT food-grade CO₂ per year.
    • Benefits: Adds ~₹200 crore annually to Assam’s rural economy; supports farmers and tribal communities with assured markets.
    • Policy Enabler: Reclassification of bamboo (no longer a tree) allowed free cultivation and harvesting, unlocking industrial potential.

    Back2Basics: Regulation of Bamboo in India

    • Earlier Status: The Indian Forest Act, 1927 classified bamboo as a “tree”, though botanically it is a grass.
    • Regulatory Impact: Even in non-forest areas, felling, cutting, and transport of bamboo required permits like timber, discouraging farmers and traders.
    • 2017 Amendment: The Act was amended to remove “bamboos” from the definition of “tree” under Section 2(7), but only for non-forest areas.
    • Policy Goal: Intended to ease regulatory burdens, promote bamboo cultivation and trade, and strengthen agroforestry.
    • Current Rule: Bamboo on private/agricultural land can now be freely grown, cut, and transported without permits; bamboo in forest areas remains regulated.
    • Scientific Alignment: Recognises bamboo correctly as a grass (Poaceae family).
    • Significance: Supports rural farmers, artisans, and tribal communities by making bamboo a viable cash crop.

     

    [UPSC 2023] According to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels?

    1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    Options: (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6 only * (b) 1, 3, 4 and 6 only (c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

     

  • Trumps’ crackdown on science gives India a great opportunity

    Introduction

    Critical technologies are emerging as the new currency of global power. Yet India, despite ranking among the top five in 29 such domains, contributes only 2.5% of the world’s most highly cited papers and has just 2% of scientists in the global top 2% (Stanford–Elsevier). Meanwhile, China dominates 37 of 44 critical technologies (ASPI). A unique opening has now emerged: Donald Trump’s crackdown on US science funding has left many Indian-origin and global researchers stranded, while Europe and China are aggressively recruiting. India has announced large-scale mission-oriented funding for the first time in decades, but without a strategy to embed top-tier talent, the window may close.

    Why is this in the news?

    For the first time in decades, India faces a rare alignment of global and domestic factors: massive cuts in US federal science funding, visa restrictions, and declining tenure-track opportunities have created a glut of stranded researchers, while India has simultaneously launched the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and a ₹1 lakh crore R&D Innovation Fund. However, unless India builds mechanisms to absorb this talent as China did with its “Young Thousand Talents” programme  the opportunity will be lost. The stakes are enormous: missing this cohort could mean losing breakthroughs in semiconductors, quantum communication, synthetic biology, and propulsion for decades.

    What is India’s current research imbalance?

    1. Low global presence: India accounts for only 2.5% of most cited papers and 2% of top researchers globally.
    2. China’s dominance: Controls 37 of 44 critical technologies, producing 4x more high-impact research than the US in advanced aircraft engines.
    3. Structural weakness: India ranks in the top five in 29 technologies but lacks the ecosystem for consistent breakthroughs.

    Why does Trump’s crackdown matter for India?

    1. Massive US cuts: Trump has slashed 50%+ budgets of NSF and NASA.
    2. Bleak academic jobs: Only 15% of STEM PhDs in the US secure tenure-track jobs within 5 years (down from 25%).
    3. Visa restrictions: Many Indian-origin postdocs are stranded, creating a ready talent pool in critical technologies.

    How are other countries responding?

    1. Europe’s push: The “Choose Europe for Science” initiative; Macron announced a €100 million France 2030 fund.
    2. China’s precedent: The Young Thousand Talents Program (2011–17) recruited 3,500 scientists, boosting China’s institutions to 8 of the top 10 in the Nature Index by 2024.

    Why has India struggled to attract talent?

    1. Uncompetitive pay: Compensation not aligned with global benchmarks.
    2. Weak infrastructure: Lack of world-class labs and sustained grants.
    3. No clear pathways: Absence of long-term absorption and career progression.
    4. Fragmented recruitment: Not tied to mission-oriented streams, leading to scattered efforts.

    What institutional reforms are proposed?

    1. Focused Research Organisations (FROs): Modeled on the India Urban Data Exchange at IISc.
    2. Target: Attract 500 top researchers in 5 years.
    3. Integration: Involve existing Indian academics via joint appointments, rotational leadership, and competitive entry.
    4. Public–private–academy model: FROs as Section 8 companies with 51% industry stake, ensuring long-term sustainability.
    5. Case study: IIT Delhi–DRDO’s milestone in quantum entanglement-based free-space secure communication (1 km) makes it a natural anchor for an FRO on quantum communication.

    Conclusion

    India cannot afford to miss this historic opportunity. With Trump’s cuts destabilising US science and Europe and China already acting, India must move beyond funding announcements to credible, permanent talent pathways. Focused Research Organisations, with industry participation and global integration, can build sovereign capabilities in critical domains. Delay would mean losing not just researchers, but also the future of India’s technological autonomy.

    Value Addition

    Data/Reports

    1. Stanford–Elsevier Citation Report (2024) → India accounts for only 2.5% of the most highly cited papers and has just 2% of scientists in the global top 2%, reflecting poor global presence.
    2. ASPI Tech Dominance Index → China dominates 37 of 44 critical technologies, showing how talent recruitment directly builds sovereign capability.
    3. NSF/NASA Budget Cuts (Trump Administration) → US federal science agencies face 50%+ cuts, creating a glut of displaced researchers — a historic opportunity for India.

    Concepts

    1. Sovereign Capability → Building self-reliant strength in strategic domains (e.g., biotech, quantum communication) to reduce dependence on external powers.
    2. Mission-Oriented Research → Aligning R&D with national priorities like semiconductors, propulsion, synthetic biology, ensuring targeted breakthroughs rather than scattered efforts.
    3. Focused Research Organisations (FROs) → Permanent, Section 8 company–style entities with 51% industry stake, pooling government + private + academic resources to attract top scientists.

    Comparative Models

    1. China’s Young Thousand Talents Programme (2011–17) → Attracted 3,500 early-career scientists, leading to China’s leap in research outputs (e.g., 8/10 top global institutions in Nature Index by 2024).
    2. Europe’s “Choose Europe for Science” Initiative → Macron announced a €100m France 2030 fund, signalling Europe’s urgency in talent recruitment post-US cuts.
    3. US Example → Despite strong universities, declining tenure-track jobs (from 25% → 15% in 20 years) and visa restrictions are pushing talent outward — India can tap this pool.

    Schemes/Institutions (India)

    1. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) → India’s new umbrella funding agency for large-scale, mission-driven research.
    2. ₹1 Lakh Crore R&D Innovation Fund → First time in decades that India committed such large-scale funding to science, signalling intent to shift from incremental to transformational research.
    3. India Urban Data Exchange (IISc Model) → Early version of an FRO; shows how domain-specific research hubs can create national data/tech ecosystems.
    4. Ease of Doing Science Measures → Fast-tracked grants, simplified approvals, but missing element = talent attraction and long-term absorption pathways.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2021] What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of society?

    Linkage: India’s weak global research profile and failure to attract top talent have limited breakthroughs in applied biotechnology, despite its potential to revolutionise agriculture, health, and industry. The editorial stresses the need for mission-oriented research and Focused Research Organisations to ensure sovereign capability in biotech, much like China’s success in critical technologies. If harnessed effectively, such achievements can directly benefit the poorer sections by improving crop yields, affordable healthcare, and job creation.

  • Bengaluru gets its 2nd Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS)

    Why in the News?

    The Karnataka government declared 8.6 acres of green cover at Cantonment Railway Colony in Bengaluru as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), the second such site in the city after Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK).

    About Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):

    • Legal Basis: Recognized under Section 37(1) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 as ecologically sensitive areas of high biodiversity.
    • Notifying Authority: The State Government, in consultation with local bodies, can declare an area as a BHS.
    • Objective: Conserves wild and domesticated species, including rare, threatened, and keystone species, vital for ecological balance.
    • Significance: Marked as ecologically fragile zones, essential for sustaining local ecosystems and long-term sustainability.
    • Community Role: Local communities and institutions are actively involved in management and protection.
    • Restrictions Put: Declaration does NOT restrict customary uses; aims to enhance quality of life through conservation.
    • Institutional Support: State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) assist in proposing, managing, and monitoring BHS.
    • First BHS in India: Nallur Tamarind Grove, Bengaluru, Karnataka, notified in 2007.
    [UPSC 2023] Consider the following statements:

    1. In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realization of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.

    2. The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2* (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

  • In news: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

    Why in the News?

    The Union Environment Ministry has approved the capture and translocation of eight tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in western Maharashtra.

    In news: Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

    About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR):

    • Overview: Situated in the Sahyadri Range, Western Ghats (Maharashtra), spanning districts of Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri.
    • Status: Declared Tiger Reserve (2010); part of UNESCO Western Ghats World Heritage Site (2012).
    • Geography: Dominated by Shivsagar (Koyna) and Vasant Sagar (Warana) reservoirs.
    • Vegetation: Moist evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist & dry deciduous forests; endemic trees like karvi, bamboo, Terminalia, Emblica.
    • Fauna: Bengal tiger, leopard, dhole, gaur, antelopes, mouse deer, giant squirrel. Birds include hornbills, vultures, river tern.
    • Tiger Status: Tigers absent for years; 5–9 present since 2018 (as per camera trap evidence).
    • Corridor Linkages: Connected to Radhanagari WLS (north) and Anshi–Dandeli TR (south, Karnataka), forming a key Western Ghats corridor.
    • Ecological Role: Secures catchments of Koyna & Warna rivers, crucial for farming and livelihoods.

    Need for Tiger translocation:

    • Prey base: Reserve has prey-rich habitat but lacks a stable breeding tiger population.
    • Other benefits: Prevents local extinction, strengthens corridor connectivity, supports Project Tiger, conserves biodiversity, and secures river watersheds.
    [UPSC 2017] From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

    Options: (a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve* (b) Nallamala Forest (c) Nagarhole National Park (d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

     

  • What is Decentralised Finance (DeFi)?

    Why in the News?

    Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is rapidly expanding as a global financial innovation, enabling direct peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries such as banks.

    What is DeFi?

    • It is a financial system that runs on blockchains like Ethereum.
    • It allows people to send, borrow, lend, invest, and trade money directly without banks.
    • All transactions happen using smart contracts (computer programs) and apps called dApps.
    • Anyone with a phone + internet can use it; no bank account or KYC needed.

    Features of DeFi:

    • No middlemen: Works without banks or brokers.
    • Smart contracts: Deals happen automatically once rules are met.
    • Open access: Anyone in the world can join with just a digital wallet.
    • Transparency: Every transaction is recorded on a blockchain for all to see.
    • Cross-border: Can be used internationally, without currency or banking restrictions.
    • Low cost & fast: Cheaper and quicker than traditional banking.
    • Anonymous: Many platforms don’t ask for ID, making it open but risky.

    DeFi in India:

    • Adoption: India ranks third globally in DeFi value (Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index 2024).
    • Growth Drivers:
      • Large youth population and widespread smartphone use.
      • Strong digital payments ecosystem (UPI, JAM trinity).
      • Increasing retail investor interest in crypto-assets.
    • Uses: Indian users engage in lending, trading, yield farming, and staking via DeFi platforms like Aave, Compound, and SushiSwap.
    • Market Size: Projected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2025.
    • Challenges: Regulatory uncertainty, risks of money laundering and terror financing, cyber vulnerabilities, and lack of investor protection.

  • BS-VII Emission Norms

    Why in the News?

    To align India’s automobile sector with global standards, the government is planning to introduce BS VII emission norms by 2026-27.

    About BS7 Norms:

    • Overview: India’s equivalent of Euro 7 emission standards, aimed at reducing vehicular pollution and aligning with global benchmarks.
    • Coverage: Applies uniformly to cars, vans, buses, trucks, petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles.
    • On-Board Monitoring (OBM): New system to monitor tailpipe emissions in real time, covering NOx, ammonia, PM, engine gases.
    • Non-Exhaust Regulation: First-time regulation of brake dust (PM) and tyre microplastics.
    • EV Standards: Introduces battery safety, durability, and longevity index to lower raw material use and build consumer confidence.
    • Digital Safeguards: Ensures vehicles are not tampered with and remain within emission limits.
    • Testing Scope: Expands checks to real driving conditions beyond lab-based cycles.

    Key Differences: BS6 vs BS7

    • OBD vs OBM: BS6 used On-Board Diagnostics (OBD); BS7 brings OBM for direct emission monitoring.
    • NOx Standards: BS6 allowed 60 mg/km petrol, 80 mg/km diesel; BS7 sets uniform 60 mg/km.
    • Coverage: BS6 regulated exhaust only; BS7 adds non-exhaust (brakes, tyres).
    • EV Inclusion: BS6 ignored EVs; BS7 regulates battery life, safety, and replacement cycles.
    • Testing: BS6 relied on defined test cycles; BS7 uses broader real-world conditions.
    • Technology Push: BS7 compels automakers towards advanced emission-control systems and turbo, direct-injection engines.
    • Cost Factor: BS7 compliance raises vehicle costs; some older models may be discontinued.

    History of Emission Norms in India:

    Year / Period Key Development
    1991 Mass emission norms introduced for petrol vehicles.
    1992 Mass emission norms introduced for diesel vehicles.
    April 1995 Mandatory catalytic converters in new petrol cars in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai; unleaded petrol (ULP) introduced.
    2000 Introduction of Euro I equivalent “India 2000” norms for passenger and commercial vehicles; stricter norms for two-wheelers.
    2001 Euro II equivalent Bharat Stage II (BS II) norms introduced in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.
    August 2002 First Auto Fuel Policy announced, outlining emission and fuel roadmap up to 2010.
    April 2005 Bharat Stage III (BS III) norms implemented in 13 metro cities; rest of India continued with BS II.
    April 2010 Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) implemented in 13 metro cities; rest of India adopted BS III.
    October 2014 BS IV extended to 20 more cities.
    2013 Auto Fuel Policy 2025 submitted to MoPNG (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas), outlining roadmap up to 2025.
    April 2017 Nationwide implementation of BS IV.
    April 2020 Direct leap to BS VI (skipping BS V) due to severe pollution in Delhi NCR.
    Upcoming (BS VII) To be aligned with Euro 7 standards: stricter norms, On-Board Monitoring (OBM), coverage of brake & tyre emissions, and EV battery standards.

     

    [UPSC 2004] Consider the following statements:

    1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002.

    2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India.

    3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage-II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004.

    Which of these statements given above are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3*

     

  • Researchers develop Red Ivy Plant-Based Wound-Healing Pad

    Why in the News?

    Researchers at JNTBGRI has developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad using nanomaterials, inspired by the red ivy plant (Strobilanthes alternata), traditionally used in folk medicine.

    About the Red Ivy Plant:

    • Overview: Strobilanthes alternata, locally called murikooti pacha, belonging to the Acanthaceae family.
    • Habitat: Found abundantly in tropical regions, including India.
    • Traditional Use: Used in folk medicine for treating cuts and wounds.
    • Scientific Discovery: JNTBGRI, Palode isolated acteoside, a natural bioactive compound, for the first time in this plant.
    • Therapeutic Use: Acteoside, known elsewhere for medicinal activity, showed high wound-healing efficacy at 0.2% concentration in red ivy.

    Features of the Wound-Healing Pad:

    • Design: India’s first multifunctional herbal wound dressing pad, combining traditional knowledge with nanotechnology.
    • Components: Electro-spun nanofiber layer (biodegradable, porous, antimicrobial barrier); Acteoside + neomycin sulfate blend (healing and infection control); Sodium alginate sponge (absorbs exudates); Activated carbon layer (controls odour).
    • Significance: Affordable, scalable, and a model of herbal medicine integrated with modern nanotech innovation.
    [UPSC 2021] Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?

    Options:

    (a) Congress grass (b) Elephant grass (c) Lemongrass* (d) Nut grass

     

  • Expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’

    Why in the News?

    Defence Minister flagged off Samudra Pradakshina, the world’s first tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing mission, from the Gateway of India, Mumbai.

    About Expedition ‘Samudra Pradakshina’:

    • Overview: First-ever all-women tri-service circumnavigation sailing expedition in the world.
    • Crew: Ten women officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, led by Lt. Col. Anuja Varudkar.
    • Vessel: IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht built indigenously in Puducherry.
    • Duration & Route: Nine months, covering 26,000 nautical miles, crossing the Equator twice, and rounding Capes Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope.
    • Port Calls: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Cape Town (South Africa).
    • Mission Objectives: Showcase Nari Shakti, promote joint military cooperation, advance Atmanirbhar Bharat, strengthen maritime diplomacy, and conduct ocean research with the National Institute of Oceanography.

    Historic Precursors:

    • Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (UK):  First solo non-stop circumnavigation (1969).
    • Captain Dilip Donde (2009–10): First Indian solo circumnavigation. Commander Abhilash Tomy (2012–13) — first Indian solo non-stop circumnavigation.
    • Women-led Expeditions: Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017–18)– first all-women Indian Navy circumnavigation on INSV Tarini. Navika Sagar Parikrama-II (2024–25) – second successful all-women naval circumnavigation on INSV Tarini.
    [UPSC 2025] Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:

    Options:

    (a) Operation Sankalp (b) Operation Maitri (c) Operation Sadbhavana* (d) Operation Madad

     

  • Vultures and Pandemic Prevention

    Why in the News?

    Vultures, vital for carcass disposal and disease control, are key to pandemic preparedness.

    About Vulture Species in India:

    • Overview: Vultures are among 22 global species of large scavenger birds, found mostly in tropics and subtropics.
    • Ecological Role: Serve as nature’s garbage collectors, preventing disease spread and maintaining balance in ecosystems.
    • Indian Diversity: India hosts 9 species — Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Eurasian Griffon.

    Vultures and Pandemic Prevention

    Distribution and Population Trends:

    • Historic Abundance: In the 1980s, India had over 40 million vultures, often in large groups near carcass dumps.
    • Population Crash: Since the 1990s, numbers have declined by over 95%, mainly due to diclofenac poisoning from veterinary use.
    • Flyway Connection: Vultures are part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), linking breeding sites in Central Asia with South Asia’s wintering zones.
    • Global Relevance: The CAF spans 30+ countries, making vulture conservation a regional and international public health concern.

    Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness:

    • Carcass Disposal: By consuming dead animals, vultures stop spread of pathogens such as anthrax, Clostridium botulinum, rabies.
    • Bio-Monitor Role: As first responders at carcasses, they act as natural surveillance systems, reducing risks of zoonotic spillover.
    • Conservation Gap: Protection of vultures is rarely included in One Health strategies, despite being low-cost compared to pandemic response.
    • Community Involvement: Local communities coexisting with vultures can aid in awareness, conservation, and disease monitoring, but remain underutilised.
    [UPSC 2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:

    (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species disease among them

    (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle persistent and fatal*

    (c) scarcity of food available to them

    (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them