UPSC GS 1
Sada Regionย
- News:ย The land-use patterns in the Sada region are undergoing changes, with some croplands increasingly being transformed into orchards or residential areas.
- Sada:
- The term “sada” refers to a large, flat area formed over centuries due to natural erosion.
- It is a local term used to describe such flat-topped formations.
- Location:
- Found in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
- Comparison:
- These areas share similarities with plateaux, locally known as pathar, found in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
- A notable example of such plateaux is the Kaas Plateau.
- Characteristics of Sada:
- Seasonal Transformation: These regions remain barren for most of the year but transform dramatically during the monsoon season.
- Soil and Water Recharge: The surface comprises a highly weathered lateritic soil layer, which serves as a catchment area for rainwater. This soil layer plays a critical role in recharging groundwater in the region.
- Flora:
- The rocky terrain supports unique endemic plant species that flourish during the monsoon.
- Biodiversity:
- Plant Diversity: The region supports 459 plant species, 105 of which are endemic to the Konkan region.
- Faunal Diversity: Hosts a variety of species, including:
- 31 species of reptiles.
- 13 species of amphibians.
- 169 species of birds.
- 41 species of mammals.
- Cultural Significance:
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- Geoglyphs: The region contains ancient geoglyphs, which are large works of art believed to date back approximately 10,000 years.
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Pavana River
- News: The National Green Tribunalโs (NGT) western bench in Pune has directed the state-appointed rejuvenation committee to convene a meeting of stakeholders to set a new timeline for implementing the action plan to tackle pollution in the Pavana river.ย
- Location:
- The Pavana River is located in the western part of Maharashtra, within the Pune District.
- It is a significant river that flows through Pune city, creating a natural division between Pune City and the Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
- Course of the River:
- Origin:
- The river originates in the Western Ghats, approximately 6 km south of Lonavala.
- Flow:
- Initially flowing eastward, the river changes direction to a southward course.
- It passes through the suburbs of Dehu, Chinchwad, Pimpri, and Dapodi before merging with the Mula River near Pune city.
- Confluence:
- The Mula River eventually joins the Mutha River, forming the Mula-Mutha River, which then drains into the Bhima River, the largest tributary of the Krishna River.
- Length:
- The total length of the river is approximately 60 km.
- Pavana Nagar Dam:
- Structure:
- A dam is constructed on the river at Pavana Nagar, referred to as the “Pavana Nagar Dam.”
- It is an earth-fill gravity dam.
- Dimensions:
- The dam measures 1,329 m (4,360 ft) in length and 42.37 m (139.0 ft) in height.
- It has a gross storage capacity of 30,500.00 kmยณ.
- Purpose:
- The dam was built to ensure a reliable water supply for the surrounding areas.
- It provides drinking water to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
UPSC GS 2
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources
- News: Around 100 tribal persons of Pulicat region will undergo intense training in pearl spot culture, crab fattening clownfish aquaculture. The training is being organised by the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources,ย through an agreement with the Department of Tribal Welfare of the State government.
- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR):
- Establishment:
- Founded in December 1983 in Allahabad under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Permanent infrastructure was established in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in 1999.
- Vision and Objectives:
- Focused on assessing and conserving fish genetic resources for sustainable use, intellectual property protection, and future generations.
- Aims to preserve the genetic diversity of fish species, crucial for maintaining sustainable and healthy populations.
- Key Functions:
- Documentation and conservation of fish germplasm resources.
- Database development, genotyping, and registration of aquatic genetic material.
- Gene banking and evaluation of both endangered and exotic fish species.
- Facilities and Strategies:
- Equipped with advanced facilities and technologies to achieve its objectives.
- Employs multidimensional approaches to research and conservation.
- Aquaculture:
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- Refers to the cultivation and management of aquatic organisms, including plants, animals, and other species, for commercial, recreational, and scientific purposes.
- Historical Context:
- Practiced as early as 500 BC.
- Gained significant commercial importance only in the mid-20th century.
- Types of Aquaculture:
- Marine Aquaculture: Conducted in coastal ocean waters.
- Freshwater Aquaculture: Takes place in ponds, rivers, and land-based tanks.
- Global Practice:
- Conducted in diverse settings, from coastal areas to inland freshwater bodies and even on land.
- One of the fastest-growing sectors in food production globally.
- Currently supplies over 50% of the seafood consumed worldwide.
- Major Producers:
- China: Leads global aquaculture production, contributing nearly 60% of the world’s farmed seafood.
- Other Leading Nations: Includes Indonesia, India, and Vietnam.
Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF)
- News: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) recently entered into an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to collaborate on developing “Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends” for 6G technology, under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF).
- Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF): The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) has been instituted under the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.
- Objective: The primary goal of TTDF is to foster an ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, proof-of-concept testing, intellectual property creation, field testing, security, certification, and manufacturing in the telecommunication sector.
- Key Aims:
- Support for Rural Communication Technologies:
- Funding research and development focused on communication technologies tailored for rural applications.
- Facilitating collaborations among academia, start-ups, research organizations, and industries to strengthen the telecom ecosystem.
- Promotion of Indigenous Innovation:
- Encouraging domestic technology ownership and manufacturing within India.
- Reducing dependency on imports while expanding export opportunities and fostering the creation of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).
- Cultivating a culture of co-innovation in telecommunications.
- Eligibility Criteria for Support: Indian entities that can seek support from this fund include:
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- Domestic companies emphasizing telecom R&D and use-case development.
- Startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Academic institutions engaged in telecom research.
- Research and development organizations.
- Section 8 companies or societies.
- Central and state government entities, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), autonomous bodies, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and limited liability partnerships focused on telecom R&D.
National Turmeric Board
- News: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush, recently inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi.ย
- National Turmeric Board: The National Turmeric Board is established to lead efforts related to the turmeric sector, ensuring greater coordination with the Spices Board and other government bodies for the development and growth of turmeric production and trade.
- Composition of the Board:
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Central Government.
- Secretary: Appointed by the Department of Commerce.
- Members:
- Representatives from key ministries such as AYUSH, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Commerce & Industry.
- Rotating representatives from the top turmeric-producing states of Maharashtra, Telangana, and Meghalaya.
- Representatives from research institutions and turmeric farmers and exporters.
- Mandate of the Board:
- Research and Development: Focusing on advancing turmeric-related research.
- Value Addition: Promoting value-added turmeric products.
- Awareness Campaigns: Raising awareness about turmericโs medicinal and essential properties.
- Improving Yield and Logistics: Enhancing turmeric yields and strengthening logistics and supply chains.
- International Market Expansion: Identifying and promoting new international markets for turmeric.
- Quality Standards: Ensuring that production and exports of turmeric meet stringent quality and safety standards.
- Status of Turmeric in India:
- Economic Importance: Turmeric, often referred to as the “Golden Spice,” has significant economic value, especially for farmers in 20 Indian states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
- Top Producing States: Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are the largest producers of turmeric in India.
- Global Market:
- India dominates turmeric production, accounting for over 70% of global production, with 30 varieties of turmeric cultivated.
- Major export markets for Indian turmeric include Bangladesh, the UAE, the USA, and Malaysia.
- Headquarters:
-
- The Board is headquartered in Nizamabad, Telangana.
UPSC GS 3
Bhargavastra Micro-Missile
- News: India successfully tested its first indigenously developed micro-missile system, ‘Bhargavastra’ at the Gopalpur Seaward Firing Ranges (GSFR) in Odisha.
- Bhargavastra:
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- Indiaโs first indigenous micro-missile system developed to counter the threat posed by swarm drones.
- Development and Features:
- Created by Economic Explosives Ltd.
- Designed for rapid deployment on mobile platforms with a range exceeding 2.5 km.
- Equipped to detect small incoming aerial threats at a distance of over 6 km.
- Operational Capabilities:
- Utilizes guided micro munitions to neutralize threats effectively.
- Can simultaneously launch over 64 micro missiles.
- Engineered for functionality in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions.
- Application:
- Specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of Army Air Defence.
- Represents the first counter-drone system in India employing micro missiles.
- Swarm Drones:
- Definition:
- SWARM stands for โSmart War-Fighting Array of Reconfigured Modules.โ
- Refers to a coordinated network of three or more drones, extending to thousands, performing missions collaboratively with minimal human intervention.
- Applications:
- Example: An aerial swarm could manage wildfire operations by assessing damage, locating access points, and suppressing fires with firefighting liquids, all with limited human input.
- Advantages:
- More efficient and versatile compared to single drones, as swarms can perform multiple tasks in parallel without human oversight.
- Maintain operational functionality even if some drones in the swarm fail.
- Technology and Coordination:
- Combines advanced computer algorithms with local sensing and communication systems.
- Synchronizes multiple drones to achieve a common objective.
- Control Methods:
- Preprogrammed Missions: Drones follow predefined flight paths.
- Centralized Control: Managed by a ground station or a lead drone.
- Distributed Control: Drones share information and collaborate autonomously.
Falcated Duck
- News:ย Recently, birders at the Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram, Haryana experienced delight as they spotted a Falcated Duck.
- Scientific Name:
- Mareca falcata.
- Common Names:
- Also referred to as the falcated teal.
- Physical Description:
- Comparable in size to the gadwall, a type of dabbling duck.
- Distribution:
- Native to regions spanning eastern Siberia, Mongolia, and northern Japan.
- Winters in Southeast Asia, including eastern India.
- Rarely sighted in other regions like America, Poland, and Thailand.
- Habitat:
- Prefers freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes.
- Often found in areas surrounded by forests.
- Breeding:
- Breeding season extends from May to early July.
- Nests are built on the ground, typically near water, concealed within tall grass or brush.
- Diet:
- Primarily Herbivorous: Consumes plant materials like seeds, aquatic vegetation, and rice.
- Occasional Omnivory: Feeds on small invertebrates and soft-shelled mollusks occasionally.
- Sightings in India: Rare and irregular appearances make them uncommon visitors.
- Conservation Status:
-
- IUCN Classification: Listed as Near Threatened.
Zombie Deer
- News: ย Scientists express concern over the possibility of the deadly and incurable ‘zombie deer’ disease affecting humans.
- Scientific Name:
- Zombie Deer Disease is scientifically known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
- Nature of Disease:
- It is a progressive and fatal neurological disease that primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
- Cause of CWD:
- Chronic Wasting Disease is caused by infectious proteins known as prions.
- Unlike bacteria and viruses, prions are unique because they do not contain DNA or RNA.
- Mechanism:
- Prions are misfolded proteins that cause other proteins in the brain to misfold as well.
- These misfolded proteins accumulate in the brain, causing spongy holes in the tissue, which result in severe neurological damage.
- Transmission:
- Chronic Wasting Disease spreads through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, and urine.
- It can be transmitted either by direct contact with an infected animal or through environmental contamination.
- Environmental Persistence:
- Prions remain infectious in soil, water, and plants for several years, creating long-term risks for wildlife populations.
- Symptoms:
- The disease has a prolonged incubation period, typically lasting between 18 and 24 months, during which infected animals appear normal.
- The most evident symptom of the disease is progressive weight loss in infected animals.
- Behavioral changes often include reduced social interaction, a lack of awareness, and diminished fear of humans.
- Other symptoms include increased drinking, frequent urination, and excessive salivation.
- Treatment:
- Chronic Wasting Disease is invariably fatal in animals once they are infected.
- Currently, there is no available vaccine or treatment to cure the disease.
- Risk to Humans:
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- Human Transmission: To date, there have been no confirmed cases of Chronic Wasting Disease being transmitted to humans. However, experts remain cautious about the potential risk of transmission.
Purulia Observatory
- News: A new observatory set up by the S N Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS) atop the Panchet Hill in the Garpanchakot area of Purulia district in West Bengal will significantly help in scientific observations of astronomical objects.
- Location:
- Situated on the Panchet Hill, Purulia, at an altitude of 600 meters above ground level.
- Positioned along the 86ยฐ East longitude.
- Telescope:
- Equipped with a 14-inch diameter telescope for astronomical observations.
- Significance:
- The Purulia Observatory will be a significant facility, not just for eastern India but for the global scientific community.
- It will help bridge the gap in observatories along the 86ยฐ East longitude, which stretches from the Arctic Ocean to Antarctica.
- Functionality:
- The observatory will facilitate scientific studies of celestial objects.
- It will also serve as a training ground for students, allowing them to learn about telescope operations and data collection.
- Other Notable Observatories in India:
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- ARIES Observatory, Nainital (Uttarakhand)
- Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur (Tamil Nadu)
- Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), Hanle, Ladakh