State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 07 Mar 2025

India’s First Lithium Grade Refinery

Why in News? 

Lohum Company launched India's first lithium grade refinery in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. 

  Key Points  

• Production capacity and efficiency: 
  • This refinery will produce  1,000 metric tonnes of battery-grade lithium annually. Its capacity will increase to 20 thousand tonnes in the year 2029. 
  • The black mass generated from e-waste will be recycled and lithium will be emitted from it.  
  • Additionally, the company is expanding its capabilities in the production of Cathode Active Material (CAM) , an essential component for large-scale lithium-ion battery production. 
  • The company is currently refining more than 90% of lithium in India. 
  • According to the company, its technical efficiency is competitive with that of China and more economical than US/European facilities. 
• Lithium refining: 
  • Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. 
  • The demand for electric vehicles and battery storage is going to increase rapidly in India in the coming years, which will also increase the need for lithium . 
  • A large portion of India's lithium supply comes from China , which poses a strategic and economic challenge for India.  
  • This expansion of Lohum will play an important role in freeing India from this dependence. 

 Lithium  

• Introduction: 
• About: 
  • It is a chemical element whose symbol is  (Li) . 
  • It is a soft and silver-white metal . 
  • It is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element under standard conditions . 
  • It is highly reactive and flammable , so must be stored as mineral oil. 
  • It is alkaline and a rare metal . 
  • Alkali metals include the chemical elements lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium and francium. Together with hydrogen, they form group-1 which is located in the s-block of the Periodic Table. 
  • Rare Metals (RM) include Niobium (Nb), Tantalum (Ta), Lithium (Li), Beryllium (Be), Cesium (Cs) etc. and Rare Earths (RE) include Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y) besides Lanthanum (La) to Lutetium (Lu). 
  • Due to their strategic importance, these metals are used in nuclear and other high-tech industries like electronics, telecommunication, information technology, space, defence etc. 

UNESCO Recognition for Cities

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government will apply for UNESCO recognition for five cities as intangible heritage and creative cities to preserve the state's cultural heritage and gain global recognition.  

Key Points  

• Selected Cultural Cities (Elements): 
  • Perfume of kannauj 
  • Holi of Braj  
  • Ganga Aarti in Varanasi  
  • Glass Art of Firozabad 
  • Black Pottery of Azamgarh (Nizamabad) 
• Further Attempt:  
  • The State government is also making efforts to include  the folk art and folk literature of Bundelkhand in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. 
  • Research will be conducted on the Deg-Bhapka method , historical importance, socio-economic impact and traditional processes for Kannauj perfume. 
  • The historical, spiritual and ritualistic significance of the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi will be studied. 
  • Holi of Braj, especially Lathmar Holi will be given prominence. 
  • Documents will be prepared by conducting research on Alha singing and Rai dance of Bundelkhand , black pottery of Azamgarh and glass industry of Firozabad. 
• Historical context and UNESCO recognition: 
  • In the year 2017, due to the efforts of the central and state governments, Kumbh was for the first time recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. 
  • Effects and potential benefits: 
    • By getting global recognition , these cultural heritages will get promotion at international level. 
    • Tourism will be boosted , which will benefit the local economy. 
    • Local artisans, artists and traditional industries will get protection , which will strengthen their livelihood. 
    • Preservation of culture and heritage will be promoted, so that these traditions remain safe for generations to come. 

UNESCO 

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) . This organization strives to establish peace through international cooperation in the field of education, science and culture.  
• UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030 , adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. 
• It has 193 member countries and 11 associate members. India joined UNESCO in 1946 . 
• The United States and Israel formally left UNESCO in 2019. 
• Its headquarters is in Paris (France).