14 Sep | UPSC Current Affairs: Sri Vijaya Puram, Ukai Dam, Subarnarekha River, Salt Pan Lands, and More

UPSC GS 1

Sri Vijaya Puram

• News:  Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will now be known as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’.
• Renaming of Port Blair:
  • • Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is now renamed as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’. 
    • The new name symbolizes the victory achieved in India’s freedom struggle and highlights the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ unique role in it.
• Origin of the Name ‘Port Blair’:
  • • The city of Port Blair was named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor and lieutenant in the Bombay Marine. 
    • Blair conducted the first thorough survey of the Andaman Islands and played a key role in the exploration and initial colonization of the region.
• Colonization and Penal Colony:
  • • East India Company (EIC) decided to establish a colony to counter Malay pirate activities and provide a refuge for shipwrecked people. 
    • In December 1792, the colony was shifted to Port Cornwallis for strategic reasons but was abandoned by 1796 due to severe disease and death.

• Penal Colony and Cellular Jail:
  • • After the Revolt of 1857, the British re-established Port Blair as a penal colony, where many convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment.
    •  The notorious Cellular Jail, also known as Kaala Paani, was built by 1906 to house Indian freedom fighters, including Veer Damodar Savarkar.
• Historical Connection with the Cholas and Srivijaya:
  • • Some historical records suggest that the Andaman Islands were used as a strategic naval base by the 11th-century Chola emperor, Rajendra I, during his attack on Srivijaya in present-day Indonesia. 
    • According to an inscription found at Thanjavur dated to 1050 CE, the Cholas referred to the island as Ma-Nakkavaram (great open land), which may have led to the modern name Nicobar.
• Chola Invasion of Srivijaya:
  • • The Chola invasion of Srivijaya was a significant event in Indian history, marking the rare use of military force by India in Southeast Asia.
    •  Some scholars, such as Nilakanta Sastri, believe the attack was driven by Srivijaya’s interference in Chola trade, while others, like historian G W Spencer, interpret it as part of Chola expansionism. 
    • The invasion showcased India’s strong cultural influence on Southeast Asia.

Read also: Judicial Appointments in India: Process, Reforms & Current Challenges

Ukai Dam

• News: Following rainfall in its upper catchment areas in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, authorities discharged 1.19 lakh cusecs of water from the Ukai Dam.
•  Ukai Dam: The Ukai Dam is constructed across the Tapti River and is the second largest reservoir in Gujarat, following the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It is also referred to as Vallabh Sagar.
• Construction and Purpose:
  • • Constructed: In 1972.
    • Primary Functions: The dam serves purposes such as irrigation, power generation, and flood control.
• Capacity and Size:
  • • Storage Capacity: The Ukai Dam’s storage capacity is approximately 46% of the total capacity of all other existing dams in Gujarat combined.
    • Catchment Area: About 62,255 square kilometers.
    • Water Spread: Covers approximately 52,000 hectares.
    • Comparison: Its capacity is nearly equivalent to that of the Bhakra Nangal Dam.
• Structure:
  • • Type: Earth-cum-masonry dam.
    • Embankment Wall Length: Approximately 4,927 meters.
    • Earth Dam Height: 80.77 meters.
    • Masonry Dam Height: 68.68 meters.

Subarnarekha River

• News: In a tragic incident, two students drowned during an immersion ceremony of Lord Ganesh in the Subarnarekha canal under Laxmiposi outpost of Mayurbhanj district recently. 
• Subarnarekha River: The Subarnarekha River is one of the longest east-flowing interstate rivers in India. The name ‘Subarnarekha’ means ‘Streak of Gold,’ and the river is renowned as a storehouse of gold.
• States it Flows Through: The river traverses through the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• Course of the River:
  • • Origin: The river originates near Nagri village in the Ranchi District of Jharkhand, at an elevation of 600 meters.
    • It flows eastward through a copper-mining region and exits the Chota Nagpur plateau via the Hundrugbagh waterfall.
    • Continuing east, it crosses West Bengal and flows through key industrial towns such as Jamshedpur, Chaibasa, Ranchi, and Bhadrak.
    • The river eventually joins the Bay of Bengal at Kirtania port in Odisha.
    • It covers a total length of 395 kilometers.
• Basin Boundaries: The Subarnarekha basin is bounded by the Chhotnagpur Plateau to the northwest, the Brahmani basin to the southwest, the Burhabalang basin to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southeast.
• Tributaries:  The principal tributaries of the Subarnarekha River are the Kanchi, Kharkai, and Karkari rivers.

Salt Pan Lands

• News: Recently, the Centre approved the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), a joint venture between Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra government, for building rental housing for slum dwellers.
•  Salt Pan Lands:
  • • Salt pan lands are low-lying areas where seawater periodically flows in and evaporates, leaving behind salt and other minerals. 
    • These lands are ecologically important as they help protect coastal cities from flooding.
• Coastal Regulation and Protection:
  • • According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, salt pan lands that are ecologically sensitive fall under the CRZ-1B category.
    •  This designation prohibits economic activities, except for salt extraction and natural gas exploration.
• Distribution of Salt Pan Lands in India:
  • • Nationally, around 60,000 acres have been designated as salt pan lands. 
    • These are spread across states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh has the largest area of salt pan lands, covering 20,716 acres, followed by Tamil Nadu (17,095 acres) and Maharashtra (12,662 acres).
• Ecological Significance:
  • • Salt pans play a crucial role in flood prevention, along with mangroves. They also provide a habitat for various species of birds and insects, contributing to biodiversity.
• What are Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)?
  • • Coastal Regulation Zones refer to land areas extending up to 500 meters from the High Tide Line (HTL) and 100 meters along the banks of creeks, estuaries, backwaters, and rivers affected by tidal fluctuations. 
    • These zones are subject to specific regulations to protect coastal ecosystems from overdevelopment.

UPSC GS 2

Philadelphi Corridor

• News:    Mr. Netanyahu has called the area, known in Israel as the Philadelphi Corridor, a “lifeline” for Hamas’s smuggling operations.
• Location and Description:
  • • The corridor is situated along the southern border of the Gaza Strip, adjacent to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. 
    • It stretches about 14 kilometers in length and varies between 100 to 300 meters in width.

• Establishment:
  • • It was established as part of the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, which created a buffer zone between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, then under Israeli control.
• Strategic Significance:
  • • This corridor holds strategic importance as it is the only section of Gaza that does not directly border Israel, making it a key location for border control.
• Control Transition:
  • • Following Israel’s unilateral disengagement from Gaza in 2005, control of the corridor was handed over to the Palestinian Authority. 
    • However, after Hamas’ takeover of Gaza in 2007, the situation became more complicated.
• Smuggling Tunnels:
  • • The area has been known for underground tunnels used for smuggling goods and weapons between Egypt and Gaza, contributing to ongoing security concerns in the region.

SARTHI App

• News:  The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) recently launched the Saarthi app.
• Saarthi App:
  • • The Saarthi App is a reference application designed to assist businesses in creating their own customized buyer-side apps.
    •  It supports network participants in building buyer apps with multilingual capabilities
    •  Initially, the app supports five languages: Hindi, English, Marathi, Bangla, and Tamil, with plans to expand to all 22 languages supported by Bhashini.
• Key Features:
  • • The app includes features such as real-time translation, transliteration, and voice recognition, enabling businesses to expand their market reach and tap into new regions, thus increasing customer acquisition.
• What is Bhashini?
  • • Bhashini is India’s AI-led language translation platform that seeks to provide easy access to the internet and digital services in Indian languages. 
    • It includes voice-based access and helps create content in various Indian languages. Bhashini’s aim is to make AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) resources publicly available to Indian MSMEs, startups, and individual innovators. 
    • It allows developers to offer internet and digital services in native languages across India. 
    • The platform also features a ‘Bhasadaan’ section where individuals can contribute to crowdsourcing initiatives, accessible via Android and iOS apps.

UPSC GS 3

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)

• News:  AI-powered Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms are revolutionizing industries by enhancing efficiency and fostering innovation.
•  Software-as-a-Service (SaaS):
  • • SaaS is a cloud-based method of delivering software that allows users to subscribe to applications via the Internet rather than purchasing them outright. 
    • The software is hosted on external servers, removing the need for in-house servers.

• How SaaS Works:
  • • SaaS vendors provide on-demand hosting of services and applications, enabling customers to access them over the internet.
    •  This eliminates the need for users to install software on their devices. 
    • Common SaaS examples include email services, calendaring tools, and cloud-based collaboration platforms like Slack.
• SaaS as a Subscription Model:
  • • Similar to streaming services, SaaS offers flexible, subscription-based access to software from any compatible device. 
    • By hosting software in the cloud, SaaS enhances accessibility and convenience, allowing users to connect and use applications on a pay-as-you-go basis.
• Benefits of SaaS:
  • • The SaaS model shifts the responsibility for software maintenance and hosting to the provider. 
    • This leads to significant advantages, such as regular updates, robust security, and continuous availability. 
    • As a result, businesses can focus on their core operations without the need to manage the technical aspects of software.

Exercise AL NAJAH

• News: The Indian Army contingent recently departed for the fifth edition of India-Oman Joint Military Exercise al Najah. 
• Exercise AL NAJAH:
  • • Exercise AL NAJAH is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Oman.
    •  It has been held biennially since 2015, alternating between the two countries.
• Exercise Schedule:
  • • The exercise is scheduled to take place from 13th to 26th September 2024 at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman. 
    • The previous edition of the exercise was conducted at Mahajan in Rajasthan, India.

• Participants:
  • • The Indian Army contingent, comprising 60 personnel, is represented by a Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
• Aim of the Exercise:
  • • The primary aim of the joint exercise is to enhance the military capabilities of both nations in conducting counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
    •  The exercise will focus on operations in a desert environment.
• Tactical Drills:
  • • Key tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include joint planning, cordon and search operations, fighting in built-up areas, establishing mobile vehicle check posts, counter-drone tactics, and room intervention. 
    • Additionally, combined field training exercises simulating real-world counter-terrorism missions have been planned.

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Tardigrades

• News: Detailed 3D images of the first tardigrade fossils ever discovered are providing scientists with insights into when tardigrades evolved their remarkable near-indestructibility. This trait enables them to survive in extreme environments.
• Tardigrades:
  • • Common Names: Often referred to as water bears or moss piglets.
    • Classification: They are microscopic, eight-legged animals belonging to the phylum Tardigrada.
    • Species: Approximately 1,300 species of tardigrades are found worldwide.

• Habitat:
  • • General: Tardigrades are considered aquatic because they need a thin layer of water around their bodies to prevent dehydration.
    • Diverse Environments: They have been observed in a range of environments, from the deep sea to sand dunes.
    • Preferred Habitat: Freshwater mosses and lichens are their favored habitats, which is why they are sometimes called moss piglets.
    • Extremophiles: Tardigrades are known as extremophiles, capable of surviving extreme conditions including intense heat, freezing cold, ultraviolet radiation, and even outer space.
    • Suspended Animation: Under harsh conditions, they enter a state of suspended animation called the “tun” state, where their bodies dry out and appear as a lifeless ball. They can remain in this state for years or even decades.
• Physical Features:
  • • Size: Tardigrades are typically about 1 mm (0.04 inch) or less in length.
    • Body Structure: They are short, plump, and covered in a tough cuticle, similar to that of grasshoppers and other insects, which they shed to grow.
    • Support System: Their bodies lack bones and are supported by a hydrostatic skeleton – a fluid-filled compartment known as hemolymph.
    • Legs and Claws: They have four pairs of legs, each with 4-6 claws.
    • Feeding: Their specialized mouthpart, known as the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus, allows them to suck nutrients from plants and other microorganisms.