Himachal Pradesh CM has requested the Centre to consider running the Kalka-Shimla narrow-gauge railway—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on green hydrogen to promote clean energy.
The CM emphasized that this initiative aligns with Himachal Pradesh’s goal of becoming a ‘green energy state’ by March 31, 2026.
About the Kalka-Shimla Railway
The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow-gauge railway with a width of 2 ft 6 in (762 mm).
It was constructed in 1898 to link Shimla with the broader Indian rail system under the guidance of chief engineer H. S. Harington.
The total length of the railway is approximately 96.6 km.
This engineering marvel features 107 tunnels, of which 102 are still in use, along with 864 bridges along its route.
The railway has a ruling gradient of 1 in 33 (about 3%), making it quite a steep climb in places, and it includes 919 curves, with the sharpest curve being at 48 degrees.
The elevation of the railway starts at 656 meters (2,152 feet) in Kalka and rises to 2,076 meters (6,811 feet) in Shimla, resulting in a height difference of 1,420 meters (4,660 feet).
Diesel locomotives began operation on the railway in 1955, followed by diesel-hydraulic models introduced in 1970.
On 8 July 2008, it was designated as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site as part of the Mountain Railways of India.
Note:
Three of the lines, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, and the Kalka–Shimla Railway, are collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “Mountain Railways of India”.
Two more, the Matheran Hill Railway and the Kangra Valley Railway, are on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is also the only rack and pinion railway in India.
PYQ:
[2015] With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:
1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q) What are the continued challenges for Women in India against time and space? (UPSC CSE 2019) Q) Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (UPSC CSE 2018) Q) Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India? (UPSC CSE 2015)
Mentor’s Comment:Nearly 23% of women surveyed in eight countries reported experiencing online abuse or harassment multiple times, with the U.S. having the highest rate.
Women in power, such as U.S. politician Nikki Haley and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have encountered gender bias in technology and safety. Haley faced manipulated explicit images during her Republican primary campaign, while Meloni was targeted with deepfake content.
In Bangladesh, female politicians Rumin Farhana and Nipun Roy were victims of deepfake images circulating on social media ahead of the January 7, 2024, general election, which attracted millions of views. This situation raises critical questions about what actions content moderators are taking to address these issues?
Today’s editorial addresses the persistent issues of online harassment and abuse that disproportionately affect women. It criticizes the failure of major technology companies to create safe digital environments.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Online abuse directed at women, including harassment, threats, and misogynistic comments has gained significant attention as more women share their experiences of unsafe digital environments, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Kamla Harris faced extensive online trolling, particularly from right-wing commentators.
These personal attacks targeted her background, character, and integrity, including a manipulated video shared by Elon Musk that falsely portrayed her making disparaging remarks about Joe Biden and herself.
How does online abuse uniquely affect women compared to men?
Widespread Online Harassment: Women in power, such as U.S. politician Nikki Haley and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, have also encountered similar challenges. In Bangladesh, female politicians Rumin Farhana and Nipun Roy were victims of deepfake images ahead of general election, which attracted millions of views.
Impact of Big Tech’s Inaction: The failure of major tech companies to effectively manage degrading content places an undue burden on women.
The nature of online abuse varies significantly; while men often face misinformation regarding their roles, women are subjected to objectification, sexualized content, and body shaming.
Accountability Issues: Big Tech often evades accountability by claiming that their platforms merely reflect user behavior and cannot be closely monitored.
In short, they benefit from ‘safe harbor‘ protections that shield them from responsibility.
Psychological Impact: Research shows that nearly half of women report severe psychological consequences from online abuse, such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Many women alter their online behavior due to fear of harassment, leading to self-censorship (silencing effect).
CASE STUDY:
• Siri and Gender Bias: Siri’s responses to sexual harassment reflected gender biases inherent in its programming. Apple acknowledged the issue and began working on updates to improve Siri’s responses and reduce gender stereotyping in its interactions. • UNESCO Initiatives: UNESCO has been actively working on projects aimed at reducing gender bias in AI technologies. They promote diversity in AI development teams and encourage the implementation of gender-sensitive approaches in algorithm design.
What measures can be taken to mitigate gender bias in technology and improve safety?
Policy and Governance: Establish clear guidelines that address gender bias in technology development and online platforms. Promote diversity in tech leadership roles to ensure varied perspectives are included in decision-making processes.
Technology Design: Develop AI tools that can identify and flag abusive content directed at women, allowing for quicker intervention. Secondly, we need to involve women in the design and testing phases of technology to better understand their needs and experiences.
Education and Training: Implement training programs for developers and tech professionals on gender sensitivity and the impacts of bias. Need to enhance digital literacy among women to empower them to navigate technology safely and effectively.
Online Safety Measures: Improve reporting systems for online harassment, making them more accessible and responsive to women’s experiences. Encourage platforms to provide robust privacy settings that allow users to control their data and interactions more effectively.
The Thadou tribe, one of the oldest and largest non-Naga tribes in Manipur, has expressed support to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC)in the state.
About the Thadou Community
Details
Overview
One of the oldest indigenous tribes in Manipur, recognized as a distinct community.
One of 29 officially recognized indigenous tribes in Manipur with rich cultural practices and folklore.
Historical Background
Recognized as the largest tribe in Manipur since the First Census of India (1881), with a distinct historical narrative from Kukis.
ST Recognition
Acknowledged as an independent Scheduled Tribe under the 1956 Presidential Order.
Population
As per the 2011 Census, the Thadou population stands at 2,15,913;
Identity
Asserts a distinct identity from the Kuki community, emphasizing unique language, culture, and history.
Language
Belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family, with a distinct dialect from other nearby tribes.
Geographic Distribution
Primarily located in Manipur; also present in Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram, inhabiting hilly regions.
Socioeconomic Status
Engaged in agriculture (particularly jhum cultivation) and knowledgeable about medicinal plants; faces challenges in infrastructure and education.
Religious Practices
Traditionally practiced animism; many have converted to Christianity, blending traditional and Christian customs.
Position Amid Ethnic Conflict
Affected by the ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023; asserts their distinct identity.
Q) In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (UPSC CSE 2018) Q) The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (UPSC CSE 2017)
Prelims
Q) Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’? (UPSC CSE 2016) a) Iran b) Saudi Arabia c) Oman d) Kuwait
Mentor’s Comment:Iran’s geographical position between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea makes it a crucial link for India to access Central Asia and the Middle East. This is particularly important given India’s limited land connectivity to these regions due to tensions with Pakistan.
Strategically, Iran possesses one of the largest reserves of crude oil and natural gas in the world. Strengthening ties with Iran can help India secure its energy needs, especially as it seeks to diversify its sources of oil imports.
Security wise, both countries share concerns about regional stability, particularly regarding extremist groups.
Today’s editorial discusses the recent developments in the relationship between India and Iran, particularly in light of their interactions during the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The present 16th BRICS Summit (October 22-24, 2024) meeting marked the first interaction between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Iranian Prez Masoud Pezeshkian, since Pezeshkian took office following the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi.
What were the key discussions? • On Bilateral Ties: Both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of India-Iran relations, emphasizing the potential for deeper cooperation across various sectors, particularly in connectivity and trade. • On Strategic Projects: The leaders discussed critical initiatives such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which are vital for enhancing trade links with Central Asia and supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts. • On Regional stability: Given the ongoing conflict in West Asia, both leaders acknowledged India’s unique position to advocate for peace and de-escalation. Modi expressed concerns over escalating violence and emphasized the need for dialogue.
History of Strong Civilization Ties: • Common Origins: Both civilizations are believed to have originated from a common Indo-Iranian ancestry, with linguistic and cultural exchanges dating back to prehistoric times. Historical trade routes facilitated exchanges between the Indus Valley Civilization and ancient Persia, with goods such as silver, copper, and precious stones being traded across the Persian Gulf. • Cultural Interactions: The spread of Buddhism from India to Persia significantly influenced Iranian culture. Later, Sufism fostered spiritual ties, leading to deep cultural exchanges in literature and philosophy. Persian literature became highly influential in India during the Mughal-Safavid Period. • Modern Diplomatic Relations: India and Iran formalized their relationship with a friendship treaty in 1950. The recent collaborations focus on energy security and regional stability, highlighted by projects like the development of Chabahar Port, which enhances connectivity between India, Iran, and Afghanistan.
How does the inclusion of Iran in BRICS impact India’s strategic interests?
Economic Opportunities: Iran’s membership can boost bilateral trade through initiatives like the Chabahar Port, enhancing India’s access to Central Asia.
Strengthened ties may facilitate oil imports from Iran, helping India diversify its energy sources.
Geopolitical Dynamics: BRICS provides a platform for India to promote a multipolar world, and balance Western dominance in global affairs.
Including Iran could foster dialogue and reduce tensions in the Middle East, benefiting India’s regional interests.
Complex Relationships: India must manage its relationship with Iran while maintaining ties with Western allies, which BRICS dynamics could complicate.
Iran’s inclusion may enhance China’s leverage in the region, posing challenges for India’s strategic positioning.
What are the potential economic benefits for India from strengthened ties with Iran through BRICS?
Increased Trade Opportunities: A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) could boost trade in various sectors, enhancing exports of Indian goods like agriculture and machinery to Iran.
Iran serves as a gateway for India to reach Central Asian markets via the Chabahar Port, facilitating trade routes that bypass Pakistan.
Energy Security: Strengthening ties may allow India to resume importing oil from Iran, helping meet its growing energy needs.
Potential projects like the Iran-Oman-India gas pipeline could provide India with a direct source of natural gas, diversifying its energy supply.
Infrastructure Development: India’s investment in Chabahar Port enhances connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia, offering an alternative route for trade.
This corridor aims to streamline trade between India, Iran, and Russia, reducing transit times and improving trade efficiency.
How does the BRICS summit reflect shifting geopolitical alliances and the future of multilateralism?
Challenge to U.S.-led order: The expansion of BRICS, including new members like Iran, signals a desire among emerging economies to create a more balanced multipolar world that reduces reliance on Western powers.
Geopolitical Fragmentation: The inclusion of countries with differing agendas, such as India’s ties with the West and Russia-China’s anti-Western stance, complicates the bloc’s unity and effectiveness.
This fragmentation may lead to a division of global politics into competing alliances, potentially undermining existing multilateral platforms like the G20.
Focus on South-South Cooperation: BRICS emphasizes cooperation among developing nations in trade and sustainable development, enhancing economic ties and addressing common challenges.
Conclusion: India and Iran can achieve a lot together. There is recognition that too much time has already been lost. India’s ability to de-hyphenate ties and engage independently with nations that are adversarial to each other, such as Iran and Israel, could be useful in driving the ties.
World Cities Day is celebrated annually on October 31, highlighting the growing urban population, now at 4.7 billion (57.5% of the total). This year’s theme focuses on empowering youth to drive local sustainability initiatives in urban areas.
What is the theme for this year’s World Cities Day?
The theme for this year’s World Cities Day is “Youth Climate Changemakers:Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability.”
It emphasizes the vital role of young people in driving grassroots initiatives to address climate change and promote sustainable urban development.
What led to India’s rapid urbanization?
Economic Distress: Urbanization in India is largely driven by economic hardships in rural areas, leading to both rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migration.
COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic exposed the strain on urban infrastructure and highlighted the reverse migration trends, showcasing gaps in urban planning.
Lack of Census Data: The absence of precise data from the 2021 Census limits understanding and planning for urban population growth, though estimates suggest around 40% of the population resides in urban areas.
Job Losses from Deindustrialisation: Many cities have experienced deindustrialization since the 1980s, resulting in job losses that push displaced workers to peri-urban areas.
Overcrowding in Slums: Approximately 40% of India’s urban population lives in slums, exacerbating the challenges associated with rapid urban growth.
How big of a threat do climate change and rising inequality pose to urban growth?
Climate Change: Indian cities face severe pollution, urban flooding, and heat island effects, which jeopardize urban sustainability and living conditions.
Rising Inequality: Urban development often caters to wealthier populations, resulting in stark contrasts between exclusive developments and the significant number of urban residents lacking basic housing.
Social Segregation: Increasing segregation along social and religious lines within urban settings worsens inequality and marginalizes vulnerable groups.
Governance Limitations: Many urban areas are controlled by undemocratic bodies, limiting the effectiveness of governance and local engagement in urban planning.
Inadequate Urban Planning: Outdated spatial and temporal planning does not address the needs of a growing urban population, further complicating the impact of climate change and social disparities.
Steps taken by the government:
Smart Cities Mission: Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development by investing in infrastructure, smart technologies, and urban planning to improve the quality of life in cities and enhance urban resilience.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): This mission focuses on providing basic services like water supply, sewage management, and urban transport in cities, promoting sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life for residents.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): This scheme aims to provide affordable housing for all by 2022, addressing the housing shortage and improving living conditions for low-income urban residents, thereby tackling issues related to slums and inadequate housing.
Way forward:
Enhance Data-Driven Urban Planning: Need to conduct comprehensive and regular urban censuses to gather accurate demographic data, enabling evidence-based decision-making for urban policies and effective resource allocation.
Strengthen Community Engagement: The government should foster participatory governance by involving local communities in urban planning and development processes.
Mains PYQ:
Q What are ‘Smart Cities’? examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ‘Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (2016)
The Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 presented by WHO indicates that India recorded the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in 2023.
Current Scope of Tuberculosis in India
High Burden: According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, India accounts for 26% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases worldwide, making it the country with the highest TB burden. The report indicates that over 55.9% of global TB cases are concentrated in five countries: India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
Mortality Rates: Although TB deaths in India have decreased from 580,000 in 2010 to 320,000 in 2023, the country still accounted for 26% of global TB deaths among people with and without HIV in 2023.
Incidence Trends: The incidence of TB has decreased from 275.7 cases per 100,000 population in 2010 to 194.9 cases in 2023. However, there has been a notable increase in notified TB relapse cases, reaching the highest level since 2010.
Risk Factors: Individuals with nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, and smoking habits are at the highest risk of contracting TB. The prevalence of TB infection among individuals aged 15 and older is reported at 31.4%, according to the National TB Prevalence Survey conducted from 2019-2021.
Preventive Treatment Uptake: The number of people receiving preventive treatment has been rising, indicating an increased focus on preventing TB progression among high-risk populations.
Strategies and Programs Implemented by Govt to Reduce TB Incidence
National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP): This program aims to eliminate TB by 2025 through various strategies including early diagnosis, treatment support, and preventive measures.
TB Preventive Therapy (TPT): The introduction of TPT marks a significant shift in TB care in India. It focuses on providing preventive treatment to individuals at high risk of developing active TB.
Project Axshya Plus: Launched with support from the Global Fund, this project implements comprehensive interventions such as contact tracing, testing for infection, and managing latent TB infections.
Increased Funding: Domestic funding for TB prevention and treatment increased by 38% in 2023 to $253 million, although international funding has declined during the same period.
Community Engagement Initiatives: Programs like the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan encourage community involvement in supporting TB patients through initiatives like Ni-kshay Mitras.
Digital Health Initiatives: The NTEP leverages digital platforms for monitoring patient progress and ensuring adherence to treatment protocols through tools like the Nikshay portal.
Awareness Campaigns: Public health campaigns aim to reduce stigma associated with TB and educate communities about prevention and treatment options.
Challenges India Faces in Eliminating Tuberculosis by 2025
Funding and Infrastructure Gaps: Despite increases in domestic funding, overall financial resources remain lower than pre-COVID levels, impacting program implementation and outreach efforts.
Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, hampers access to timely diagnosis and treatment for many patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted TB services significantly, leading to a backlog of undiagnosed cases and impacting ongoing treatment programs.
Stigma and Discrimination: Stigma associated with TB continues to deter individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment, which can lead to delayed care and increased transmission rates.
Social determinants such as poverty, malnutrition, and living conditions contribute to higher susceptibility to TB among vulnerable populations.
Drug Resistance Issues: The rise of drug-resistant strains of TB poses significant challenges for effective treatment and control strategies.
Multi-sectoral Coordination Challenges: Effective elimination requires collaboration across various sectors (healthcare, education, social services), which can be challenging due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Way forward:
Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Coordination: There is a need to foster collaboration among healthcare, education, and social services to address the social determinants of TB.
Enhancing Accessibility and Outreach: Need to improve access to TB diagnosis and treatment in rural areas by investing in healthcare infrastructure, training local health workers, and implementing mobile health units.
Mains PYQ:
Q Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)
The October 25, 2024, incident where a Qatar Airways Boeing 787’s landing gear sank into a collapsed ramp at Doha underscores the importance of runway safety concerns.
Similar risks exist in Chennai Airport’s expansion plans and the greenfield project at Parandur, where soil stability and structural integrity are critical issues that must not be overlooked.
Background
The Chennai airport expansion, initially proposed in 2007, faced design and safety issues, including unsuitable soil for a parallel runway and violations in bridge construction standards, raising concerns about infrastructure reliability and potential flooding risks in future projects.
What are the specific challenges and risks pilots face when landing at these airports?
Runway Integrity: Pilots may encounter challenges if the runway or taxiways have structural weaknesses or are poorly designed, such as in the case of Doha, where the ground beneath collapsed under the aircraft’s weight.
Crosswinds and Weather Conditions: Airports located near water bodies or in regions with extreme weather may present challenges during landing, such as turbulence from crosswinds or sudden weather changes, increasing the risk of hard landings or runway excursions.
Ground Handling: The condition of the ground infrastructure, including taxiways and ramps, is critical. Pilots must be cautious of soft spots or areas not properly constructed to withstand aircraft weight, which can lead to accidents.
Limited Runway Width and Length: Airports with insufficient runway dimensions may restrict landing and takeoff performance for larger aircraft, posing risks during adverse conditions where longer stopping distances are required.
Inadequate Visual Aids: Poorly designed lighting and navigational aids can impair a pilot’s ability to assess runway conditions, especially in low visibility scenarios.
Safety Compliance: Non-compliance with international aviation standards during the design and construction phases may lead to operational hazards that pilots must navigate.
How do airport design and infrastructure impact aviation safety?
Structural Reliability: The strength and reliability of runway surfaces directly affect safety. Insufficient ground support may lead to structural failures under heavy loads, as seen in the Doha incident.
Drainage Systems: Effective drainage systems are vital for preventing water accumulation on runways, which can lead to hydroplaning and loss of control during landings.
Environmental Considerations: The placement of airports in flood-prone areas without adequate flood management strategies can compromise safety during heavy rainfall, as experienced in Chennai.
Design Standards: Compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards is crucial for ensuring that airports are capable of safely accommodating various aircraft types.
Construction Quality: The choice of construction materials and techniques directly impacts the longevity and safety of airport infrastructure. Cost-cutting measures may lead to substandard designs.
What measures are being taken to enhance pilot training and operational procedures at these high-risk airports? (Way forward)
Enhanced Simulation Training: Pilots receive advanced simulation training to handle specific challenges associated with landing at high-risk airports, including crosswind landings and emergencies on compromised runways.
Regular Safety Audits: Conduct audits and inspections of airport facilities and infrastructure to ensure compliance with safety standards and identify potential hazards.
Real-time Weather Updates: Implementation of systems that provide pilots with real-time updates on weather conditions and runway status, helping them make informed decisions during landings.
Collaboration with Engineers: Continuous collaboration between pilots and airport engineers during the planning and construction phases to address potential safety issues upfront.
Training on Emergency Protocols: Training programs that include scenarios specific to airports with known risks, ensuring pilots are prepared for emergencies related to runway or taxiway failures.
Mains PYQ:
Q Examine the development of Airports in India through joint ventures under Public – Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard. (2017)
Indian researchers have developed a predictive model based on the Gompertz Model to estimate a newborn’s birth weight using routine pregnancy scans.
What isthe Gompertz Model?
It is a mathematical model developed by English mathematician Benjamin Gompertz in the early 19th century.
It was originally designed to modelpopulation growth in a constrained environment, such as a specific geographic region.
The model uses an S-shaped (sigmoid) curve to represent growth patterns that start slowly, accelerate, and then slow again as they approach a plateau.
Applications:
Biology: The Gompertz Model is used to study tumor growth and cell population dynamics, reflecting constrained growth in biological systems.
Epidemiology: Applied in predicting the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, capturing how transmission rates slow with interventions.
Ecology: Useful for modelling species population growth in habitats with limited resources, aiding conservation and ecosystem management.
Healthcare: Recently adapted to predict foetal birth weight, helping identify potential risks associated with low or high birth weight.
Aging Research: Employed to analyze mortality rates and lifespan patterns, contributing to studies on aging and longevity.
Recent Research and Significance
Recent research has applied the Gompertz Model in predicting foetal birth weight using routine scans, as shown by researchers from IISER Pune and IMSc Chennai, offering a non-invasive alternative for maternal health.
The model is used in tumor growth studies, allowing researchers to understand and predict cancer progression.
Its predictive accuracy under constrained conditions makes it useful for biological systems, including population growth and cell dynamics.
In healthcare, it supports early detection and intervention for conditions impacted by growth patterns, such as low or high birth weight risks.
Since 1977, the South Lhonak Lake, a glacial lake in Sikkim has expanded significantly, growing from 17 hectares to 167 hectares by 2023.
Formation of Glacial Lakes:
When a glacier melts and retreats, the hollow left behind often fills with water, creating a glacial lake.
The rocky moraine at the glacier’s end can act as a natural dam, holding the water to form the lake.
Glacial lakes act as hydrological buffers, regulating water flow from melting ice, which can sometimes pose challenges to downstream communities.
Glacial lakes often have a vivid blue color, similar to swimming pools, due to the scattering of light by fine rock particles (rock flour) in the water.
There are several types of glacial lakes, each formed by specific processes and glacier dynamics:
Moraine-Dammed Lakes: Formed when moraine debris piles up at the end of a glacier and traps meltwater behind it. These are common and pose risks of outburst flooding.
Kettle Lakes: This was created when a chunk of glacier ice is buried in the moraine and eventually melts, leaving a depression filled with water.
Cirque Lakes: Formed in circular basins (cirques) carved by glaciers at high elevations. These lakes are often small and located at the glacier’s original head.
Pro-glacial Lakes: Situated in front of the glacier, between the ice and the moraine dam. These lakes are sometimes formed when the glacier’s snout melts and deposits water in the valley.
Tarn Lakes: Formed in depressions left behind in the cirques or basins after the glacier has completely melted.
Major Glacial Lakes in India
India’s Himalayan region is home to numerous glacial lakes, each with unique characteristics:
Gurudongmar Lake (Sikkim): One of the highest lakes in the world at 5,430 meters above sea level, fed by glacial melt and known for its religious significance.
Chandra Taal (Himachal Pradesh): A stunning crescent-shaped lake in the Lahaul-Spiti region at 4,300 meters. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fed by glacier melt.
Samiti Lake (Sikkim): Located along the trek to Kanchenjunga and known for its clear blue waters and reflective quality.
Satopanth Tal (Uttarakhand): Found in the Garhwal Himalayas, this lake lies close to Satopanth Glacier and is considered sacred by locals.
South Lhonak Lake (Sikkim): A growing lake fed by three glaciers, expanding rapidly due to climate change and posing risks of glacial lake outburst floods.
PYQ:
[2019] Consider the following pairs:
Glacier: River
Bandarpunch: Yamuna
Bara Shigri: Chenab
Milam: Mandakini
Siachen: Nubra
Zemu: Manas
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 5 only
(d) 3 and 5 only
A recent study from Michigan Medicine found that Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder, increases the risk of dementia (loss of cognitive functioning) in adults, especially in women.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
OSA is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep due to blocked airways.
It is marked by episodes of disrupted or restricted breathing, leading to brief awakenings throughout the night.
Symptoms include loud snoring, gasping for air, morning headaches, and daytime drowsiness.
Risk Factors: Common in individuals who are overweight, have large tonsils or suffer from nasal congestion.
In India, approximately 10.4 lakh people are reported to suffer from OSA, as per government data.
Untreated OSA is associated with various health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Recent Findings on OSA and Dementia Risk
A study from Michigan Medicine found a link between OSA and increased dementia risk, especially in older adults over 50.
Women with known or suspected OSA were found to have a higher likelihood of developing dementia compared to men, with dementia diagnoses increasing as women age.
Another study by NIMHANS focused on the link between stroke and OSA.
105 stroke patients over the age of 50 were studied using polysomnography (PSG), which tracks brain waves and sleep breathing patterns.
Results showed that 88%of stroke patientshadsleep apnea soon after their stroke, with 38% having severe OSA.
