9 Aug | UPSC Current Affairs: Pyrocumulonimbus clouds, Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, and More

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UPSC GS 1

Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud

  • News: The intense wildfires currently raging across the United States and Canada have led to the formation of ‘pyrocumulonimbus’ clouds, which can produce thunder and potentially ignite additional fires.
  • About Pyrocumulonimbus Clouds
  • Formation
      • Conditions: Pyrocumulonimbus clouds typically form during extremely hot wildfires or volcanic eruptions.
      • Process: The intense heat from the fire warms the surrounding air, causing it to rise into the atmosphere. This hot, buoyant air, which carries water vapor, smoke, and ash, expands and cools as it ascends. When it cools enough, the water vapor condenses on the ash, forming a grey or brown cloud known as a pyrocumulus cloud or ‘fire cloud.’
      • Evolution: If there is ample water vapor and the upward movement of hot air intensifies, pyrocumulus clouds can evolve into pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These clouds can reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and develop their own thunderstorm systems.

Pyrocumulonimbus Cloud

  • Characteristics
      • Lightning Production: Pyrocumulonimbus clouds can produce lightning but generally generate minimal rainfall.
      • Fire Risk: The lightning from these clouds can spark new wildfires many kilometers away from the original blaze. Additionally, they can trigger strong winds that accelerate and spread the wildfire in unpredictable ways.
  • Climate Change Impact
      • Increasing Frequency: Scientists suggest that climate change may be contributing to the increased frequency of pyrocumulonimbus clouds. Rising global temperatures are linked to more frequent and intense wildfires, which in turn may lead to more occurrences of these dangerous clouds.

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UPSC GS 2

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)

  • News: The central government has recently announced the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2024 awardees. This new set of awards aims to honor exceptional contributions in science, technology, and innovation.
  • About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)
      • The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is a prestigious new set of awards introduced by the Government of India to acknowledge remarkable contributions in science, technology, and innovation.
  • Objective
      • The RVP aims to recognize and celebrate notable and inspiring contributions made by scientists, technologists, and innovators, either individually or in teams, across various fields.
  • Eligibility
      • Scientists, technologists, and innovators working in government or private sectors, or those working independently, who have made groundbreaking research, innovation, or discoveries in science, technology, or technology-led innovation are eligible.
      • Individuals of Indian origin residing abroad who have made significant contributions benefiting Indian communities or society are also eligible.
      • Scientists are selected across 13 domains: Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others.
      • The selection ensures representation from each domain/field and includes gender parity.
  • Categories of Awards
      • Vigyan Ratna (VR) Award: Recognizes lifetime achievements and significant contributions in any field of science and technology.
      • Vigyan Shri (VS) Award: Honors distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
      • Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) Award: Encourages young scientists (up to 45 years old) for exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology.
      • Vigyan Team (VT) Award: Awarded to a team of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators for exceptional contributions in any field of science and technology.
  • Selection Process
      • Nominations for the RVP awards are reviewed by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Committee (RVPC), chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
  • Award Ceremony
      • The awards will be presented on August 23rd, National Space Day. Each award includes a Sanad (certificate) and a medal.

National Coastal Scheme

  • News: The Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently provided an update to the Lok Sabha regarding the National Coastal Scheme.
  • About the National Coastal Mission Scheme
  • Launch Year: 2014
  • Envisioned Under: National Action Plan on Climate Change
  • Objective: To address the impact of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities through a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
  • Components of the National Coastal Management Program
      • Management Action Plan on Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs: Focuses on preserving these vital ecosystems.
      • Research & Development in Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: Aims to advance knowledge and solutions for managing these environments.
      • Sustainable Development of Beaches: Includes the Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service to enhance and protect beach environments.
      • Capacity Building / Outreach Program: Supports coastal states and union territories with conservation efforts and beach cleaning initiatives.
  • Implementation
      • The scheme is implemented by the State Governments of Coastal States and Union Territory (UT) Administrations, ensuring localized management and execution of the initiatives.

UPSC GS 3

Clouded Leopard

  • News:   During a recent event celebrating International Clouded Leopard Day, the Governor of Mizoram highlighted the pressing challenges facing wildlife conservation.
  • About the Clouded Leopard
      • The clouded leopard is a wild cat native to the dense forests of the Himalayas, extending through mainland Southeast Asia to South China. 
  • Species: 
      • Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) 
      • Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi).
  • Habitat and Distribution:
      • Clouded leopards inhabit a variety of environments, including tropical evergreen rainforests, dry tropical forests, and mangrove swamps.
      •  Their range spans across Southeast Asia and the Himalayas, including countries such as southern China, Bhutan, Nepal, northeast India, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, and Bangladesh. 
      • In India, they are found in states like Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. 
      • The clouded leopard is also the state animal of Meghalaya. 
      • They can be encountered at relatively high altitudes in the Himalayas.
  • Features
      • The clouded leopard is a medium-sized cat, measuring between 60 and 110 cm in length and weighing between 11 and 20 kg.
      •  Its coat is characterized by distinctive ‘clouds’—elliptical markings partially edged in black, with the inner color darker than the base color of the fur. 
      • The base color ranges from pale yellow to rich brown, which accentuates the darker cloud-like patterns. 
      • The clouded leopard has an exceptionally long tail, which aids in balancing and is often as long as its body, adorned with black ring markings. 
      • It has a stocky build, with the longest canine teeth relative to its size among living felines. 
      • Its relatively short legs and broad paws make it an adept climber, capable of maneuvering through thick forest and hanging upside-down under branches. Clouded leopards are solitary animals.
  • Conservation Status:
      • Both species of clouded leopards are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, reflecting their threatened status in the wild.

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Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve

  • News: The Chhattisgarh government has announced the establishment of a new tiger reserve named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.
  • About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
  • Location: Situated in the northern part of Chhattisgarh, bordering Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
  • Significance: This will be the fourth tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh, joining Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, and Indravati Reserves.
  • Area: It encompasses the combined regions of the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Fauna: Tigers, leopards, hyenas, jackals, wolves, sloth bears, barking deer, chinkara, and chital.
  • Rivers: Origin of significant rivers such as Hasdeo Gopad and Baranga and a catchment area for rivers like Neur, Bijadhur, Banas, Rehand, and numerous smaller rivers and rivulets.
  • Guru Ghasidas National Park
  • Corridor Role: It connects Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, facilitating tiger movement between the Bandhavgarh and Palamau Tiger Reserves.
  • History: Originally part of the Sanjay Dubri National Park, Guru Ghasidas Park became a separate entity in Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja region following the state’s formation in 2001.
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