UPSC: Nyishi Tribe, Kumaon Himalayas, Virupaksha Temple, PM-KUSUM & More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Nyishi Tribe

News: Mountaineer and cricketer Kabak Yano made history as the first woman from the Nyishi tribe and the 5th from Arunachal Pradesh to climb Mt. Everest.
Overview: The Nyishi are the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh.
Language: Their traditional language, Nishi, belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family.
Livelihood: Practice slash-and-burn agriculture.
- - Engage in hunting and fishing.
  - Experts in handicrafts such as weaving, cane and bamboo works, pottery, blacksmithing, wood carving, and carpentry.
Religion: According to the 2011 Census:
- - 31% follow Christianity.
  - 29% follow Hinduism.
  - Many still adhere to the indigenous Donyi Polo (Sun-Moon God).
Festivals:
- - Boori-Boot: Celebrated in February.
  - Nyokum: Celebrated in February.
  - Longte: Celebrated in April.
Society:
- - Practice polygyny (a man has more than one wife).
  - Patrilineal descent (lineage through the male line).
  - No caste system.
  - Women are considered sources of peace, progress, and prosperity.

Kumaon Himalayas

News: Recently, the Supreme Court halted a project spanning 90 acres in the ecologically sensitive and earthquake-prone lower Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon hills.
Location: The Kumaon Himalayas are situated in the west-central section of the Himalayan range in northern India.
Boundaries: Bounded by the Sutlej River to the west and the Kali River to the east.
Topography: Features parts of the Siwalik Range in the south and the Great Himalayas in the north.
Administrative Region: Most of the Kumaon Himalayas are located within Uttarakhand, northwest of Nepal.
Natural Features:
- - Lakes: Prominent lakes in this area include Naini Lake, Sattal, Bhimtal, and Naukuchiya Tal.
  - Hill Stations: Key hill stations such as Nainital, Ranikhet, and Almora are nestled in this region.
  - Highest Peaks: The highest peaks in the region include Nanda Devi and Kamet.
Communities and Ecology:
- - Indigenous Communities: The region is home to various tribal and indigenous communities, including the Tharus, Bhutiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas, and Rajis.
  - Ecological Fragility: The Kumaon Himalayas are recognized for their ecological fragility and vulnerability to seismic activities.

Virupaksha Temple

News: A portion of the Virupaksha temple in Karnataka collapsed following torrential rains.
Location and Significance:
- - Part of the Temple Complex located at Hampi, Karnataka.
  - Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  - Hampi was the capital city of the Vijayanagara kingdom (14th to 16th centuries).
Dedication:
- - Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (or Pampapathi), a form of Shiva.
  - Consort of the local goddess, Pampadevi.

Historical Background:
- - The temple was built over centuries, with the earliest shrine dating to the ninth century.
  - Contributions by various dynasties such as the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and Cholas.
  - Substantially enlarged with the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire.
  - Vijayanagara’s Sangama kings transformed the shrine into a major religious monument, and the Tuluvas greatly expanded the temple.
Contributions by Krishnadeva Raya:
- - Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529 CE) constructed a hall in front of the main shrine to mark his accession.
  - Constructed the eastern gopuram.
Architectural Style:
- - A prime example of Dravida style temple architecture.
  - Characterized by grand gopuras, Vimana, intricate carvings, and pillared halls.

Illegal Hoardings in India: Causes, Impacts and Solutions UPSC

UPSC GS 2

PM – KUSUM Scheme

News: The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation has issued new guidelines to implement the PM – KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) scheme to encourage farmers to install solar energy-powered pumpsets.
Launch and Implementation:
- - Launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
  - It is implemented by State Governments.
Aim:
- - De-dieselisation of the farm sector.
  - Enhancing the income of farmers.
Components:
- - Solar Power Plants: Installation of 10,000 MW of solar capacity through small Solar Power Plants.
    - Individual plants with capacities up to 2 MW.
    - Power generated will be purchased by the local DISCOM.
  - Standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps: Installation of 20 lakh standalone Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps.
    - Aimed at replacing existing diesel agriculture pumps.
  - Solarisation of Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps: Solarisation of 15 lakh grid-connected agriculture pumps.
    - Farmers can use generated solar power for irrigation needs.
    - Excess solar power can be sold to DISCOMs at a pre-fixed tariff.
Eligible Categories:
- - Individual farmers.
  - Group of farmers.
  - Farmer Producer Organizations.
  - Panchayats.
  - Cooperatives.
  - Water User Associations.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

News: The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4) is underway in Antigua and Barbuda.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
- - Overview: It is a distinct group consisting of 39 countries and 18 Associate Members of UN regional commissions.
  - SIDS are highly vulnerable developing countries that suffer from low economic diversification, high dependence on tourism and remittances, volatility due to fluctuations in private income flows and the prices of raw materials, and debt stress situation.
Geographical Regions: The three geographical regions in which SIDS are located are:
- - Caribbean
  - Pacific
  - Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS)
Recognition: SIDS were recognized as a special case both for their environment and development at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Population: The aggregate population of all SIDS is 65 million, slightly less than 1% of the world’s population.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ):
- - For SIDS, the EEZ—the ocean under their control—is, on average, 28 times the country’s land mass.
  - A significant portion of their natural resources comes from the ocean.
Issues:
- - Natural Disasters: Prone to hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, and floods due to their location and low-lying nature.
  - Economic Vulnerability: Highly reliant on imports and tourism, making them susceptible to external economic shocks.
  - Environmental Dependency: The well-being of SIDS populations is directly linked to the health of the oceans.

UPSC GS 3

Zero Debris Charter (ZDC)

News: Twelve nations have signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council recently.
Signatories: Twelve countries and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed the Zero Debris Charter.
- - Signatory countries include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Objective: The Zero Debris Charter aims to achieve debris-neutrality in space by 2030.
- - The charter also sets a target of 99% success rate for post-mission disposal strategies, including the use of external means if necessary.
  - The charter stipulates that the probability of a mission generating space debris should be less than 1 in 1,000 for each object involved.
Multi-Stakeholder Approach: The initiative involves collaboration among governments, private companies, and research institutions.
- - It focuses on space debris mitigation and remediation efforts.
Nature of the Charter:
- - The Charter is non-legally binding, meaning it does not have the force of law.
  - It promotes collaboration and a sense of shared responsibility among the signatories.
Best Practices: Encourages the adoption of responsible space debris management practices throughout the entire lifecycle of spacecraft, including design, launch, operation, and disposal.
Space Debris:
- - Definition: Space debris, also known as space junk or space waste, refers to human-made objects in Earth’s orbit that no longer serve any function.
  - Components: Includes decommissioned satellites, spent rocket bodies, fragments from spacecraft breakups or collisions, and debris from anti-satellite weapon tests.
  - Current Status: There are more than one million pieces of space debris larger than one centimeter in Earth’s orbit.
  - Concerns:
  - Collision Risk: Space debris can collide with operational satellites, disrupting navigation and communications systems on Earth.
  - Kessler Syndrome: The uncontrolled growth of space debris could lead to a cascading effect of collisions, known as the Kessler syndrome, making space increasingly hazardous for both current and future missions.

Ghughwa National Fossils Park

News: Archaeologists from Ashoka University recently unearthed prehistoric artefacts made from fossil wood at the National Fossil Park in Ghugwa, Madhya Pradesh.
Location and Recognition:
- - Located in Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh.
  - Recognized as a National Park in 1983.
Landscape:
- - Characterized by a tropical dry deciduous forest.
Fossil Significance:
- - The park contains fossilized plants that existed in India between 40 million and 150 million years ago.
  - Fossils are remnants, impressions, or traces of organisms from past geological ages preserved in Earth’s crust.
    They can include actual body parts or imprints, aiding in the study of ancient life forms.
Notable Discoveries:
- - Preserved fossils of woody plants such as eucalyptus, date palm, neem, and others.
  - Fossils of climbers, leaves, flowers, fruits, and even dinosaur eggs.
Additional Fossil Parks in India:
- - National Fossil Wood Park, Tiruvakkarai: Located in Tamil Nadu, this park is known for its extensive collection of petrified wood fossils.
  - Shivalik Fossil Park (Suketi Fossil Park): Located in Himachal Pradesh, it is famous for its fossils of prehistoric vertebrates, including the remains of large mammals.

AI Krish and AI Bhoomi

News: DD Kisan has deployed two Artificial Intelligence anchors as part of the initiative to present the television channel in a new avatar.
About DD Kisan:
- - Established in 2015 by the Government of India.
  - Aims to keep farmers informed about weather changes, global and local markets, and other relevant agricultural information.
Capabilities of AI Anchors:
- - Can function like humans, reading news 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  - Provide essential information on agriculture, including ongoing research, trends in agriculture mandis, and weather changes.
  - Speak fifty Indian and foreign languages.
Purpose and Benefits:
- - AI anchors will ensure that farmers receive timely and accurate information.
  - Enhance the dissemination of agricultural knowledge and updates to a wider audience.

Evacuation Slide

News: Recently, a Varanasi-bound Indigo flight received a bomb threat at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The passengers on board were promptly evacuated using ‘evacuation slides’.
What are ‘Evacuation Slides?’: An evacuation slide is an inflatable slide that allows passengers to safely exit the aircraft during an emergency, particularly when the flight door is high above the ground.
Types of Evacuation Slides:
- - Inflatable Slide: Helps passengers descend to the ground from an aircraft exit door.
    - Can also be used from the aircraft wings to the ground if doors are not accessible.
    - Inflated rafts or mats may be placed on the ground for added protection.
  - Inflatable Slide/Raft: Functions like an inflatable slide. Can be used as a life raft in case the aircraft lands on water.
  - Inflatable Exit Ramp: Assists passengers in moving from overwing exits to the wings. Provides an alternative path to reach the ground.
  - Inflatable Exit Ramp/Slide: A combination of ramp and slide. Assists in descending from an overwing exit or aircraft wing to the ground.
Material Composition:
- - Typically made from carbon fibers and a nylon material coated with urethane for fire resistance.
  - Strong fibers are used to ensure durability during passenger descent.
Deployment Mechanism:
- - Slides are generally packed and installed within a cabin door or an external fuselage compartment.
  - A lever on the interior door links the slide to the door; when armed, the slide deploys if the door is opened.
  - Cannot be opened mid-flight due to the difference in air pressure inside the cabin and outside.

Bond Yields

News: Indian government bond yields are expected to remain stable as traders anticipate new catalysts.
Bond:
- - Bonds refer to high-security debt instruments that enable an entity to raise funds and fulfil capital requirements.
  - It is a category of debt that borrowers avail from individual investors for a specified tenure.
  - Organisations, including companies, governments, municipalities and other entities, issue bonds for investors in primary markets.
  - The corpus thus collected is used to fund business operations and infrastructural development by companies and governments alike.
  - It is calculated by using the following formula: Bond Yield= Coupon Amount/ Price
Feature:
- - The prevailing market price of bonds also affects the bond yield.
  - The yield of a bond is influenced by its market value.
  - Softening of Bond Yields: When the market value of a bond rises above its face value (the price at which it was initially issued in the primary market), the rate of return on the bond purchased in the secondary market decreases. This scenario is commonly referred to as the softening of bond yields.
  - Hardening of Bond Yields: Conversely, if the market value of a bond falls below its face value, the rate of return on the bond purchased in the secondary market increases. This occurrence is known as the hardening of bond yields.
Coupon Yield:
- - The yearly interest rate fixed when issuing the bond is its coupon yield.
  - The amount of income on a bond and the coupon rate is the same as the coupon yield.
  - The coupon yield is represented in the percent form.
    - For example, assume you bought a bond for $2,000 and later, you receive $25 as your yearly interest payments.
    - Then the coupon yield on it will be 5%. This value remains unchanged during the entire lifespan of the bond.