MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Equatorial air rises to be replaced by air coming in from other, colder regions when it gets warmer and less dense than the surrounding air. Talk about the several causes of the creation of global wind belts.
GS I – Geography related issues
Introduction:
- The worldwide horizontal distribution of pressure refers to the distribution of atmospheric pressure across latitudes. Pressure belts, a zonal characteristic, are its primary characteristic. Pressure gradients, or variations in atmospheric pressure, are the fundamental cause of all air motions. Air pressure is influenced by systematic variations in the planet’s land temperature. Notable patterns of pressure that last over time are referred to as pressure belts, sometimes known as wind belts. Since temperature affects wind bands, variations in temperature can also alter wind patterns.
The evolution of pressure belt technology:
- Air expands when it is heated, which lowers its density. Low pressure is the result of this by nature.
- Conversely, contraction occurs when there is a cooling. High pressure results from this increasing the density.
- Thermal lows and highs are exemplified by the formation of equatorial lows and polar highs, respectively.
- In addition to temperature fluctuations, dynamic controls resulting from pressure gradient forces and earth’s rotation (Coriolis force) could account for the creation of pressure belts.
- This belt of low pressure stretches from the Equator to 0 to 5° North and South.
- Here, the sun’s vertical rays are responsible for the extreme heating.
- As a result, the convection current causes the air to expand and rise, creating low pressure in this area.
- Because there is no breeze and complete calm in this low-pressure band, it is also known as the “doldrums.”
- The region where the ascending equatorial air currents drop is located around 30° North and South of the Equator.
- Thus, there is a lot of pressure in this sector. Another name for it is the Horse latitude. High pressure constantly gives way to low pressure in winds.
- Thus, trade winds from the subtropical zone blow towards the equator, whereas westerlies from the subpolar region blow towards the sub-polar low pressure.
- These belts are called Circum-Polar Low-Pressure Belts, and they are situated between 60° and 70° in each hemisphere.
- There are two sections to the falling air in the subtropical zone.
- A single blow in the direction of the Equatorial Low-Pressure Belt. The Circum-Polar Low-Pressure Belt is the target of the other portion’s strike.
- The rise of warm subtropical air over frigid polar air emanating from the poles denotes this zone. The winds that blow over the Polar zone are directed towards the Equator by the rotation of the globe.
- The low-pressure band known as the Circumpolar Low-Pressure band is formed by centrifugal forces that act in this area.
- Wintertime in this area is characterised by strong storms.
High-Pressure Polar Regions
- The temperature is always very low near the North and South Poles, which are located between 70° and 90° North and South, respectively.
- Over the Poles, there is high pressure due to the chilly air falling. The term “Polar Highs” refers to these regions of Polar high pressure.
- Permanent ice caps are a defining feature of these areas.
- Seasonal variations in climate are caused by the shifting of pressure belts, particularly in both hemispheres between latitudes 30° and 40°. The movement of wind belts and pressure systems results in the monsoon climate.
Q2. India, the largest democracy in the world, wants to see Myanmar become a stable, prosperous country where democracy may grow. However, India needs to put its own strategic and economic interests in Myanmar first. Analyse critically.
GS III – Self Help Groups related issues
Introduction:
- The military of Myanmar, then known as Burma, overthrew the government in a coup for the third time since the country’s 1948 independence from British domination. The military, commonly known as the Junta and Tatmadaw, has claimed that there were numerous violations in the November 2020 general elections, making the results invalid. With the implementation of parliamentary elections and other reforms by the military in 2011, Myanmar’s brief experience with democracy came to an end with this.
- Myanmar’s outlook for the future is still bleak today. The military overthrew the elected officials in a coup that occurred precisely two years ago. It undermined the modest democracy of the preceding ten years and went against the 2008 constitution that the people had approved with the help of the generals.
Myanmar’s geostrategic importance to India:
- Geopolitical interests: Myanmar is a key component of India’s regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and acts as a land bridge connecting South and Southeast Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of India’s “Neighbourhood First” and “Act East” strategies.
- Location strategy: It acts as a barrier between China and India. Myanmar has access to the Bay of Bengal via its coastline. It links China, Bangladesh, and India’s restive northeastern states. Additionally, the Nicobar Archipelago in India is nearby.
- National security: The border between Myanmar and China is now the focal point for Indian and local armed separatist groups operating in Myanmar, such as the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland and the ULFA in Assam.
- Economic interests: India is interested in Myanmar’s natural resources and is building the Kaladan multimodal project, which will connect India’s landlocked northeastern states to the Bay of Bengal-based Myanmar Port of Sittwe. Other projects include the trilateral highway between India, Myanmar, and Thailand. These goals will be hampered by the unrest in Myanmar.
- Countering China: India will be under pressure to follow Beijing’s lead in regional matters if a weakened Myanmar falls into China’s hands as a satellite state.
Numerous ways to guarantee Myanmar’s return to democracy:
- In order to boost communication and support for pro-democracy political parties and non-state ethnic nationalities authorities in Myanmar, international initiatives should offer significant incentives and support to crucial democracies in the region, including as India, Japan, and Indonesia.
- To strengthen ASEAN’s resistance to Chinese efforts to weaken the bloc’s potential to help the nation resume its democratic transition, the US should step up its high-level diplomatic involvement with the region.
- In spite of the military’s greatest efforts to suppress it, civil society in Myanmar endures and plays a vital role in both organising anti-coup movements and delivering necessities to areas in need.
- Democracies like the United States should keep helping civic society financially and technically.
- Encourage political discussions among the various anti-coup activists in Myanmar. These include discussions held under the auspices of the National Unity Consultative Council and the People’s Representative Committee for Federalism.
- When it comes to the anti-coup movement, the US should help foster unity and mutual trust.
- Sincere attempts should be made in dialogues to address historical discrimination and abuses, including those committed by the NLD and other powerful parties.
India’s strategy to be implemented:
- India has the most difficult decision to make about its response to the military takeover in Myanmar. India backs Myanmar’s democratic transition process.
- Cutting off India’s military ties to Myanmar is not a feasible option, notwithstanding India’s strong concerns about recent changes in Myanmar and its surrounding region on both an economic and geopolitical level.
- India was well-suited to the parallel power centres of the military and the civilian administration that were housed in Naypyitaw until recently.
- India would find it challenging to publicly support the junta given the strong western and American stance, even though it is obvious that engaging with whoever is in power in Myanmar serves India’s national interests.
- However, it cannot afford to provoke the junta by proactively attempting to bring democracy back there.
- In addition to supporting the exchange of experiences in federalism and constitutionalism to help Myanmar break the current impasse, India should maintain its current level of engagement with the current regime in Myanmar, working for the mutual development of the people of both nations.
- There are hardly many viable policy alternatives remaining for India. However, it must continue to uphold ties with the ruling administration in Myanmar while subtly advocating for political reconciliation in the nation. Improving the two sides’ connectivity, commerce, and security ties must be the main priorities in the interim.
