UPSC GS 1
Cyclone Chido
- News: Cyclone Chido devastated the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, destroying an estimated 20,000 homes and wiping out entire shantytown neighborhoods.
- Definition:
- Cyclone Chido recently impacted Mayotte, a French territory located in the Indian Ocean’s Mozambique Channel.
- With wind speeds reaching 200 km/h, it is the strongest cyclone to affect Mayotte in over 90 years.
- Geographical Location:
- Mayotte is part of the Comoros archipelago, situated in the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean.
- It comprises two main islands: Grande Terre (the main island) and Petite Terre (Pamandzi, the smaller island).
- What is a Cyclone?
- A cyclone is a large-scale weather system that revolves around a low-pressure center, often bringing severe storms and adverse weather conditions.
- Rotational Direction:
- In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate anticlockwise.
- In the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise, influenced by the Coriolis effect.
- Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones:
- Calm Center: The eye of the cyclone is characterized by calm weather and low atmospheric pressure.
- High Wind Speed: Cyclones generally have wind speeds averaging around 120 km/h.
- Closed Isobars: The tightly packed isobars result in high wind velocity.
- Oceanic Formation: Cyclones form exclusively over warm oceans and seas.
- East-to-West Movement: Trade winds guide the movement of cyclones from east to west.
- Seasonal Nature: Their occurrence depends on specific seasons influenced by regional climatic conditions.
- Classification of Cyclones: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) classifies cyclones by wind speed as follows:
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- Depression: 31–49 km/h
- Deep Depression: 50–61 km/h
- Cyclonic Storm: 62–88 km/h
- Severe Cyclonic Storm: 89–117 km/h
- Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: 118–166 km/h
- Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: 167–221 km/h
- Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 km/h
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Jodhaiya Bai
- News: Madhya Pradesh’s famous Baiga tribal artist Jodhaiya Bai, a Padma Shri recipient, died recently in Umaria district after a prolonged illness.
- About the Baiga Tribe:
- The Baiga Tribe is recognized as one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- They primarily inhabit the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Traditional Practices:
- Livelihood: The Baigas were traditionally semi-nomadic and engaged in slash-and-burn cultivation, locally known as “Bewar.” In modern times, they rely significantly on minor forest produce for sustenance.
- Tattooing: Tattooing holds immense cultural importance in Baiga tradition. Specific tattoos are designated for different body parts and age groups, created using kajal derived from Ramtilla (Niger) seeds.
- Mahua Tree: The tribe ferments and distills Mahua flowers to create an intoxicant, which is a significant part of their diet and cultural heritage.
- Cultural Identity:
- Bamboo: Bamboo plays an essential role in the daily lives of the Baigas, used for various purposes.
- Habitat Rights: The Baiga tribe is the first community in India to be granted habitat rights, highlighting their profound connection with forest ecosystems.
- Contribution of Jodhaiya Bai:
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- Artistic Legacy: Jodhaiya Bai played a key role in earning international recognition for Baiga tribal art.
- Awards and Recognition: She received the Padma Shri in 2023 for her outstanding contributions to the arts. Her artwork, showcasing the essence of Baiga tribal culture on canvas, has been displayed in exhibitions across several countries.
Arctic Tundra
- News: The Arctic Tundra has shifted from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter, as highlighted in the latest analysis featured in the ‘Arctic Report Card’ by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Definition: The Arctic Tundra is an expansive, treeless biome known for its cold, dry, and rocky environment.
- Origin of the Term: The word “tundra” is derived from the Finnish term tunturi, meaning a ‘treeless plain.’
- Characteristics of the Arctic Tundra:
- Permafrost:
- Permafrost refers to permanently frozen soil that begins within a meter of the surface.
- Only the upper layer of soil thaws during summer, while deeper layers remain frozen year-round.
- The frozen soil limits root growth and prevents trees from growing, resulting in a treeless landscape.
- Soil Composition:
- The tundra’s soil is rocky and nutrient-poor due to slow decomposition rates.
- Organic materials like peat (decayed sphagnum moss) and humus (decomposed organic matter) accumulate, contributing to its role as a carbon sink.
- Geographic Location:
- The Arctic Tundra is the northernmost biome, stretching across regions north of the Arctic Circle to the polar ice cap, including parts of Canada, Iceland, and Greenland.
- It spans approximately 11.5 million square kilometers.
- Climate:
- Temperatures range from 15.5°C in summer to -60°C in winter, with mean temperatures remaining below 0°C for 6–10 months annually.
- Precipitation is minimal, ranging between 150–250 mm per year, with evaporation rates being equally low.
- The region experiences 24-hour sunlight during summer and complete darkness throughout winter.
- Vegetation:
- Dominated by herbaceous plants due to the harsh climate and brief growing season. Common species include grasses, mosses (e.g., reindeer moss), lichens, and liverworts.
- Woody plants like dwarf willows grow low and spread out to withstand strong winds.
- Animal Life:
- Large mammals such as polar bears, caribou, musk oxen, and Arctic foxes inhabit this biome.
- Smaller animals, like Arctic hares and lemmings, adapt by changing their fur color with the seasons.
- Migratory birds, such as loons and snow geese, breed here during the summer months.
- Arctic Tundra as a Carbon Sink: Despite the absence of trees, the Arctic Tundra has been a major carbon sink due to the accumulation of organic matter in:
- Peat: Decayed sphagnum moss.
- Humus: Decomposed organic material.
- Cold temperatures significantly slow decomposition, trapping carbon in permafrost for millennia.
- Reasons for Carbon Emissions:
- Thawing Permafrost: Rising temperatures activate microbial activity, breaking down organic matter and releasing greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄. Methane (CH₄) is particularly concerning due to its potency as a greenhouse gas.
- Increased Wildfires: Wildfires release additional greenhouse gases and accelerate the thawing of permafrost.
- Rising Temperatures: The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average. The year 2024 was recorded as the second-warmest year since 1900.
- Global Carbon Trends:
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- Annual Emissions: CO₂ emissions for 2024 are projected to reach 41.6 billion tonnes, up from 40.6 billion tonnes in 2023.
- Land-Use Changes: Land-use alterations contribute an additional 4.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
UPSC GS 2
International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- News: Moldova has joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by signing the ISA Framework Agreement in New Delhi, marking its commitment to renewable energy.
- Background:
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement (FA) came into effect in 2017.
- Following an amendment in 2020, membership eligibility was extended to all United Nations member states.
- The ISA headquarters is situated in Gurugram, India.
- It was conceived as a joint initiative by India and France during COP21 in Paris in 2015.
- The ISA focuses on uniting global efforts to combat climate change by advancing solar energy solutions.
- Mission:
- The ISA’s mission is driven by the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, which targets:
- Mobilizing investments of USD 1,000 billion in solar energy by 2030.
- Ensuring energy access for 1,000 million people worldwide.
- Installing a solar energy capacity of 1,000 GW globally.
- Governance:
- The ISA Assembly serves as the apex decision-making body, shaping policies and overseeing the Framework Agreement’s implementation.
- Presently, the ISA comprises 104 member countries and 16 signatory nations.
- Key Initiatives of the International Solar Alliance (ISA):
- Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAAU): This program aims to meet the rising demand for solar-powered water pumps to support agricultural activities. This initiative delivers innovative and dependable solar energy solutions tailored for healthcare systems in low- and middle-income nations.
- Solarizing Heating and Cooling Systems: This program seeks to address heating and cooling demands across commercial, industrial, and residential sectors by promoting solar-based solutions.
- Global Solar Facility: Introduced during COP27, this initiative is designed to stimulate solar investments in underserved regions, with a primary focus on Africa.
Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI)
- News: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology recently underscored the transformative potential of blending India’s ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific innovations while speaking at the celebration of five years of the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI).
- Definition:
- The Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI) is a newly launched program focused on Heritage Research.
- It aims to bring together experts from various fields to collect and analyze data, establish new collaborations, and provide practical technologies to address issues related to cultural heritage.
- Implementation and Administration:
- National Implementation: SHRI is planned to be implemented across the entire nation, addressing diverse heritage-related challenges throughout India.
- Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Science and Technology is the nodal ministry responsible for overseeing the implementation and execution of SHRI.
- Aims and Objectives of SHRI:
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- Capacity Building: SHRI is designed to build human resource capacity and inspire new researchers to engage in heritage-related studies.
- Scientific Research and Development (R&D): The initiative encourages scientific research in the conservation of heritage objects, which includes studying material deterioration processes, developing preservation techniques, exploring intervention technologies, discovering new materials, and enhancing restoration and diagnostic technologies.
- Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: SHRI aims to safeguard the use, representations, expressions, knowledge, and techniques of communities, groups, and individuals recognized as essential parts of our cultural heritage.
- Innovative Approaches for Heritage Preservation: The initiative explores cutting-edge approaches and state-of-the-art technology to preserve heritage and artworks from past generations that reflect the evolution and growth of human civilization.
- Application of Archaeometric Science: SHRI seeks to promote the application of advanced archaeometric science across various fields to enhance the understanding and preservation of cultural heritage.
- Tribal Arts Promotion: The program aims to foster R&D activities and technological advancements in Tribal Arts, contributing to their value addition and conservation.
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UPSC GS 3
Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni)
- News: Wroughton’s free-tailed bat, a highly rare species of molossus bat, has been spotted at the Delhi Development Authority Yamuna Biodiversity Park, marking a unique sighting.
- Definition:
- Species Classification: Wroughton’s free-tailed bat is an exceptionally rare molossus bat species.
- Characteristics:
- It is distinguished by its large size and prominent ears that extend beyond its muzzle.
- The bat has bicoloured velvet-like fur and is recognized for its powerful flying abilities.
- Habitat:
- This bat typically roosts in caves or dark, damp, and moderately warm locations.
- It forms colonies of moderate sizes in such environments.
- Distribution:
- The species is primarily concentrated in the Western Ghats, where the only known breeding colony exists.
- Smaller colonies have also been observed in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, and a solitary specimen was recorded in Cambodia.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Status: Classified as Data Deficient.
- Previously, it was listed as Critically Endangered until 2000 due to the existence of a single known population in the Western Ghats.
- Wildlife Protection: Listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, indicating its high conservation priority.
- Ecological Significance:
- This species plays a vital ecological role by controlling insect populations.
- It also contributes to pollination, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
