Delhi Ranked World’s Most Polluted Capital Again; Byrnihat Tops Global Pollution List
Why in News?
The World Air Quality Report 2024 by IQAir has ranked Delhi as the most polluted national capital for the sixth consecutive year. Byrnihat, on the Assam-Meghalaya border, emerged as the world’s most polluted city. The report highlights India’s severe air pollution crisis, with 13 of the 20 most polluted cities being in the country.
Key Points
India’s Air Pollution Crisis
- Thirteen of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India.
- Byrnihat recorded the highest annual PM2.5 concentration globally at 128.2 µg/m³.
- Delhi remained the most polluted capital, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 91.6 µg/m³.
- India was ranked 5th most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 level of 50.6 µg/m³.
Global Air Quality Trends
- Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Congo, and India were the five most polluted countries.
- Only 12 countries met WHO’s PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³ annually.
- 83% of cities worldwide recorded PM2.5 levels above WHO standards.
Sources of Pollution in India
- Crop Stubble Burning – Responsible for 60% of pollution during peak winter months in northern states.
- Vehicular Emissions – Major contributor in urban areas, especially in Delhi.
- Industrial Pollution – Unregulated emissions from factories add to poor air quality.
- Construction Dust – A significant problem in rapidly developing cities.
Regional Impact and Peak Pollution Periods
- Northern India, including Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, witnessed extreme pollution in November 2024.
- January 2024 was particularly hazardous in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh due to winter inversion.
Train Hijacking in Pakistan: The Baloch Insurgency and Its Growing Threat
Why in News?
- The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express on March 11, 2025, taking 182 passengers hostage.
- The attack resulted in the deaths of 20 Pakistani Army personnel, and security forces responded by killing 16 militants.
- The incident highlights the ongoing Baloch insurgency, its historical roots, and its increasing intensity.
Key Points
1. The Jaffar Express Attack
- The Jaffar Express was hijacked between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar in Balochistan’s Bolan area.
- The train, carrying 500 passengers, was stopped inside Tunnel No. 8 by armed militants.
- The attack targeted Pakistani security personnel, including army and intelligence officers.
2. Who is Behind the Attack?
- The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, specifically its Majeed Brigade, a suicide squad unit.
- Other BLA units like the Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS), Fatah Squad, and Zirab Units were also involved.
- The BLA has been involved in past attacks on Chinese investments and Pakistani security forces.
3. History of the Baloch Insurgency
- Balochistan, the largest but least developed province in Pakistan, has rich natural resources but lags in economic development.
- Ethnic Baloch groups accuse the central government of exploitation and suppression.
- After Partition in 1947, Balochistan was independent for a short period before being forcibly integrated into Pakistan in 1948.
- Multiple insurgencies have occurred since then, with thousands of casualties.
4. Growing Threat and International Implications
- Pakistan has blamed India for supporting Baloch insurgents, which India has denied.
- Baloch militants have increasingly targeted Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), leading to tensions between Pakistan and China.
- The latest attack indicates a possible escalation in insurgent operations, raising security concerns in the region.
Conclusion
The hijacking of the Jaffar Express signals the resilience and growing capabilities of the Baloch insurgency. With continued attacks on Pakistani forces and Chinese investments, the conflict in Balochistan remains a serious security challenge for Pakistan.
When Did Humans Start Using Tools? Theories and Evidence
Why in News?
A recent study published in Nature has revealed that our ancestors were using bone tools at least 1.5 million years ago—nearly a million years earlier than previously believed. The study also highlights that the oldest known stone tools date back to 3.3 million years, challenging the long-held notion that tool use was unique to the genus Homo.
Key Points
1. Revising the Timeline of Tool Use
- The earliest known stone tools date to 3.3 million years ago.
- Wooden tools may have been used even earlier, but evidence is scarce due to decomposition.
- Bone tools were in use at least 1.5 million years ago, suggesting earlier technological advancements than previously thought.
2. Theories on Tool Use and Human Evolution
- Kenneth Oakley’s Theory (1949): He argued that tool-making was a uniquely human trait, linked to conceptual thought.
- Homo habilis (‘Handy Man’) Hypothesis: Louis Leakey (1964) associated tool use with this species, reinforcing the idea that tool technology was exclusive to Homo.
3. Evidence from Other Primates
- Charles Darwin (1871) noted that chimpanzees used stones to crack nuts.
- Jane Goodall (1960s) discovered that chimps modify sticks to fish for termites, proving that tool-making was not limited to humans.
- Studies on chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys have shown that non-human primates can create and use tools.
4. Lucy’s Hands and Early Tool Use
- Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy) was initially not thought to be a tool user.
- Mary Marzke (1983) studied Lucy’s hand structure and concluded that it allowed for tool manipulation.
- Archaeological evidence (2010) from Ethiopia confirmed that hominins used stone tools as early as 3.39 million years ago.
5. Dismissing ‘Human Exceptionalism’
- The long-held belief that tool use was exclusive to Homo is now challenged.
- The study of primates suggests that dexterity and tool use may have existed in the common ancestor of all great apes 13 million years ago.
Conclusion
The evolving evidence suggests that tool-making is not an exclusively human trait and likely predates the genus Homo. This challenges anthropocentric views and reshapes our understanding of human evolution.
