#Project_BOLD
It is a unique scientific exercise serving the combined national objectives of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support.
It seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones.
5000 saplings of special bamboo species – BambusaTulda and BambusaPolymorpha specially brought from Assam – have been planted over 25 bigha (16 acres approx) of vacant arid Gram Panchayat land.
KVIC has thus created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.
The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
#KVIC
Established under KVIC Act, 1956.
The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
√The Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in 2017 to remove bamboo for the category of trees.
•As a result, anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products without the need of a felling and transit permission.
•The northeast grows 67% of India’s bamboo.
•Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under bamboo forests
•China is the only country with a richer bamboo genetic resource than the north-east
#National_Bamboo_Mission(NBM) was initially started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07.
The mission was later subsumed under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH) during 2014-15 and continued till 2015-16.
#Restructured_National_Bamboo_Mission
The restructured National Bamboo Mission(NBM) was launched in 2018-19 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
•The National Bamboo Mission has identified 16(out of 136 Indian species) (total 1200 in world)for commercial purposes.
•National Bamboo Mission has launched an MIS (Management Information Systems) based reporting platform for strengthening the domestic agarbatti industry.
#Beema_Bamboo
In May 2021, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University designed “Oxygen Park” in its premises in Coimbatore with Beema Bamboo.
Beema Bamboo is a clone selected from Bambusa balcooa. It is a higher biomass yielding bamboo species. Also, it is one of the fastest growing plants. It grows to a height of one and a half feet in day.
The Beema Bamboo is the best carbon sink to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
They do not require replanting as it re-grows after every harvest cycle.
They are produced through tissue culture that facilitates it to adapt to different soil and climatic conditions.
The calorific value of Bamboo is almost equal to coal. Thus, cement industries have started buying this bamboo for their boilers.
#Characteristic_features_of_bamboo
Bamboo can growth in dry land areas, but it yields best when well-irrigated.
Bamboo requires the same amount of water as sugarcane, about 10-20 litres per day per plant.
Bamboo can tolerate both heavy and low rainfall, every year it gives out 8-10 shoots.
Every bamboo plant has a capacity to absorb about 400 kg of CO2 a year.
It is the fastest growing canopy, releasing 35 per cent more oxygen than trees.
#Bamboo_for_addressing_pollution
Dense planting of bamboo on the banks of the Yamuna, will absorb CO2 but also bring down particulate matter.
The plant is an “excellent scavenger,” its roots do not go below two feet, so it can absorb rich nutrients in raw sewage that flow untreated into the Yamuna and raise its biological oxygen demand.
A kg of bamboo produces 4,000 kilocalories compared to 3,000-5,000 kcal for coal.
Bamboo has 1% ash content, compared to coal’s 10-30% which poses a problem of disposal, it also emits no sulphur this makes it as a perfect replacement of coal.
It is a unique scientific exercise serving the combined national objectives of reducing desertification and providing livelihood and multi-disciplinary rural industry support.
It seeks to create bamboo-based green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones.
5000 saplings of special bamboo species – BambusaTulda and BambusaPolymorpha specially brought from Assam – have been planted over 25 bigha (16 acres approx) of vacant arid Gram Panchayat land.
KVIC has thus created a world record of planting the highest number of bamboo saplings on a single day at one location.
The initiative has been launched as part of KVIC’s “Khadi Bamboo Festival” to celebrate 75 years of independence “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”.
#KVIC
Established under KVIC Act, 1956.
The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
It functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
√The Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in 2017 to remove bamboo for the category of trees.
•As a result, anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products without the need of a felling and transit permission.
•The northeast grows 67% of India’s bamboo.
•Madhya Pradesh has the largest area under bamboo forests
•China is the only country with a richer bamboo genetic resource than the north-east
#National_Bamboo_Mission(NBM) was initially started as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07.
The mission was later subsumed under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture(MIDH) during 2014-15 and continued till 2015-16.
#Restructured_National_Bamboo_Mission
The restructured National Bamboo Mission(NBM) was launched in 2018-19 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
•The National Bamboo Mission has identified 16(out of 136 Indian species) (total 1200 in world)for commercial purposes.
•National Bamboo Mission has launched an MIS (Management Information Systems) based reporting platform for strengthening the domestic agarbatti industry.
#Beema_Bamboo
In May 2021, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University designed “Oxygen Park” in its premises in Coimbatore with Beema Bamboo.
Beema Bamboo is a clone selected from Bambusa balcooa. It is a higher biomass yielding bamboo species. Also, it is one of the fastest growing plants. It grows to a height of one and a half feet in day.
The Beema Bamboo is the best carbon sink to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
They do not require replanting as it re-grows after every harvest cycle.
They are produced through tissue culture that facilitates it to adapt to different soil and climatic conditions.
The calorific value of Bamboo is almost equal to coal. Thus, cement industries have started buying this bamboo for their boilers.
#Characteristic_features_of_bamboo
Bamboo can growth in dry land areas, but it yields best when well-irrigated.
Bamboo requires the same amount of water as sugarcane, about 10-20 litres per day per plant.
Bamboo can tolerate both heavy and low rainfall, every year it gives out 8-10 shoots.
Every bamboo plant has a capacity to absorb about 400 kg of CO2 a year.
It is the fastest growing canopy, releasing 35 per cent more oxygen than trees.
#Bamboo_for_addressing_pollution
Dense planting of bamboo on the banks of the Yamuna, will absorb CO2 but also bring down particulate matter.
The plant is an “excellent scavenger,” its roots do not go below two feet, so it can absorb rich nutrients in raw sewage that flow untreated into the Yamuna and raise its biological oxygen demand.
A kg of bamboo produces 4,000 kilocalories compared to 3,000-5,000 kcal for coal.
Bamboo has 1% ash content, compared to coal’s 10-30% which poses a problem of disposal, it also emits no sulphur this makes it as a perfect replacement of coal.
•Bamboo is most widely used in Paper industry and new form of fibre is being derived from bamboo to weave clothes.
#International_Bamboo_and_Rattan_Organisation (INBAR)
Founded in 1997
It is a multilateral development organisation which promotes environmentally sustainable development using bamboo and rattan. In addition to its Secretariat headquarters in China, INBAR has regional offices in India, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Ecuador.
#Jivaka
belonged to Bihar, 6th century BC – contemporary of Bimbisara and Ajatsatru.
studied Ayurveda medicine under the tutelage of Atreya.
was the personal physician of Lord Buddha and Sangha.
promoted usage of purgatives, herbal remedies for wounds.
works illustrated in Bower’s Manuscript, Deepvamsa , Mahavamsa.
#Nagarajuna
believed to be an alchemist who worked extensively with mercury, and advocated the use of chemical cures rather than preparations made from herbs and vegetables.
described details of the circulatory system, and referred to blood as rakta dhatu.
made many specially concocted chemicals with therapeutic value called bhasmas.
redacted sushruta samhita.
major works in the field of medicine and alchemy include Vigraha Vyavar Vartika , Rasa Ratnakar.
#Vagabhatta
Vagabhatta I – chief work was Ashtanga Samgraha , a treatise on ayurvedic medicine, therapautics, hygiene, anatomy, surgery and other allied subjects. Emphasized the importance of personal hygiene to good health, and introduced the importance of combating pollution by elaborating the role of contaminated river water in adversely affecting health.
Vagabhatta II – wrote Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita
#Madhavacharya
around 7th century AD.
Rugvinischaya or Madhavanidana is his most prominent work.
dealt with methods of diagnosis of diseases, pathology.
#Pre_Revision
#International_Bamboo_and_Rattan_Organisation (INBAR)
Founded in 1997
It is a multilateral development organisation which promotes environmentally sustainable development using bamboo and rattan. In addition to its Secretariat headquarters in China, INBAR has regional offices in India, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Ecuador.
#Jivaka
belonged to Bihar, 6th century BC – contemporary of Bimbisara and Ajatsatru.
studied Ayurveda medicine under the tutelage of Atreya.
was the personal physician of Lord Buddha and Sangha.
promoted usage of purgatives, herbal remedies for wounds.
works illustrated in Bower’s Manuscript, Deepvamsa , Mahavamsa.
#Nagarajuna
believed to be an alchemist who worked extensively with mercury, and advocated the use of chemical cures rather than preparations made from herbs and vegetables.
described details of the circulatory system, and referred to blood as rakta dhatu.
made many specially concocted chemicals with therapeutic value called bhasmas.
redacted sushruta samhita.
major works in the field of medicine and alchemy include Vigraha Vyavar Vartika , Rasa Ratnakar.
#Vagabhatta
Vagabhatta I – chief work was Ashtanga Samgraha , a treatise on ayurvedic medicine, therapautics, hygiene, anatomy, surgery and other allied subjects. Emphasized the importance of personal hygiene to good health, and introduced the importance of combating pollution by elaborating the role of contaminated river water in adversely affecting health.
Vagabhatta II – wrote Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita
#Madhavacharya
around 7th century AD.
Rugvinischaya or Madhavanidana is his most prominent work.
dealt with methods of diagnosis of diseases, pathology.
#Pre_Revision
#Strobilanthes_Reptans
A species, Strobilanthes Reptans, recorded in India(Arunachal Pradesh)as Plant was invasive weed elsewhere.
The species was a new addition to the flora of India and appears ornamental.
It has earned the Indian tag with the reputation of being an invasive weed in the Indo-Pacific islands.
The plant has not had any adverse effect on indigenous flora as it is restricted to a single locality measuring less than 1 sq. km.
It sported tubular white or pale violet flowers with darker veins from June to September, and yielded fruit from July to December
The researchers said the plant could possibly have escaped from cultivation from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia or Sri Lanka, where it has naturalised.
The plant has also been recorded in Taiwan, Ryukyu islands of Japan, northern Australia, Singapore, Hawaii and a few other countries
#Invasive_Species
An invasive species can be any kind of living organism—an amphibian (like the cane toad), plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even an organism’s seeds or eggs—that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm.
They can harm the environment, the economy, or even human health.
Invasive plant species transform the soil structure and micro environment to their advantage by producing allelochemicals which cause the destruction of native species and local biodiversity.
Eg. -water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) ; giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) ;Nila grass (Mimosa diplotricha), Mikania (Mikania micrantha), Lantana (Lantana camara) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) etc
#The_Convention_on_Biological_Diversity (CBD)
CBDa legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity has been in force since 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
•The conservation of biological diversity.
•The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.
•The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Nearly all countries have ratified it (notably, the US has signed but not ratified).
The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada and it operates under the United Nations Environment Programme.
#COP5(2000)adopted a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the #Cartagena_Protocol_on_Biosafety. It came into force on 11 September 2003.
It is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.
CBD recognize that there is an urgent need to address the impact of invasive species
#The_Nagoya_Protocol on #Access_to_Genetic_Resources_and_the_Fair_and_Equitable_Sharing&of_Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the CBD was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan at COP10. It entered into force on 12 October 2014.
It not only applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization but also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising from its utilization
#COP_10 also adopted a ten-year framework officially known as “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”, provide a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets (divided into 5 sections: A to E), collectively known as the #Aichi_Targets_for_biodiversity
Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use.
Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.
International Biological Diversity Day is observed on 22 May.
UNGA had declared the period 2011-2020 to be the “United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”.
#Pre_Revision
A species, Strobilanthes Reptans, recorded in India(Arunachal Pradesh)as Plant was invasive weed elsewhere.
The species was a new addition to the flora of India and appears ornamental.
It has earned the Indian tag with the reputation of being an invasive weed in the Indo-Pacific islands.
The plant has not had any adverse effect on indigenous flora as it is restricted to a single locality measuring less than 1 sq. km.
It sported tubular white or pale violet flowers with darker veins from June to September, and yielded fruit from July to December
The researchers said the plant could possibly have escaped from cultivation from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia or Sri Lanka, where it has naturalised.
The plant has also been recorded in Taiwan, Ryukyu islands of Japan, northern Australia, Singapore, Hawaii and a few other countries
#Invasive_Species
An invasive species can be any kind of living organism—an amphibian (like the cane toad), plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even an organism’s seeds or eggs—that is not native to an ecosystem and causes harm.
They can harm the environment, the economy, or even human health.
Invasive plant species transform the soil structure and micro environment to their advantage by producing allelochemicals which cause the destruction of native species and local biodiversity.
Eg. -water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) ; giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) ;Nila grass (Mimosa diplotricha), Mikania (Mikania micrantha), Lantana (Lantana camara) and Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) etc
#The_Convention_on_Biological_Diversity (CBD)
CBDa legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity has been in force since 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
•The conservation of biological diversity.
•The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.
•The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Nearly all countries have ratified it (notably, the US has signed but not ratified).
The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada and it operates under the United Nations Environment Programme.
#COP5(2000)adopted a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the #Cartagena_Protocol_on_Biosafety. It came into force on 11 September 2003.
It is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.
CBD recognize that there is an urgent need to address the impact of invasive species
#The_Nagoya_Protocol on #Access_to_Genetic_Resources_and_the_Fair_and_Equitable_Sharing&of_Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the CBD was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan at COP10. It entered into force on 12 October 2014.
It not only applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization but also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising from its utilization
#COP_10 also adopted a ten-year framework officially known as “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”, provide a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets (divided into 5 sections: A to E), collectively known as the #Aichi_Targets_for_biodiversity
Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use.
Goal C: To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building.
International Biological Diversity Day is observed on 22 May.
UNGA had declared the period 2011-2020 to be the “United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”.
#Pre_Revision
#Harit_Dhara_Feed_Supplement
ICAR has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
HD decreases the population of protozoa microbes in the rumen, responsible for hydrogen production and making it available to the archaea (structure similar to bacteria) for reduction of CO2 to methane.
It has been made from tannin-rich plant-based sources, Tropical plants containing tannins, bitter and astringent chemical compounds, are known to suppress or remove protozoa from the rumen.
Fermentation after using HD will help produce more propionic acid, which provides more energy for lactose (milk sugar) production and body weight gain.
#ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country
#Methane
Methane is gas that is found in small quantities in Earth's atmosphere. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. It is flammable, and is used as a fuel worldwide.
Methane is produced by the breakdown or decay of organic material and can be introduced into the atmosphere by either natural processes – such as the decay of plant material in wetlands, the seepage of gas from underground deposits or the digestion of food by cattle – or human activities – such as oil and gas production, rice farming or waste management.
Methane is produced by animals having rumen.
Rumen is the first of the four stomachs where the cattle eat plant material, cellulose, fibre, starch and sugars. These get fermented or broken down by microorganisms prior to further digestion and nutrient absorption.
Carbohydrate fermentation leads to production of CO2 and hydrogen. These are used by microbes (Archaea) present in the rumen to produce methane.
Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon and doesn’t last as long in the atmosphere before it breaks down.
It is responsible for creating ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant.
Carbon dioxide levels have dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, methane in the atmosphere reached record levels last year
#Seaweed_Based_Animal_Feed
Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) in collaboration with the country’s three leading institutes developed a seaweed-based animal feed additive formulation that aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle and also boost immunity of cattle and poultry.
#Pre_Revision
ICAR has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
HD decreases the population of protozoa microbes in the rumen, responsible for hydrogen production and making it available to the archaea (structure similar to bacteria) for reduction of CO2 to methane.
It has been made from tannin-rich plant-based sources, Tropical plants containing tannins, bitter and astringent chemical compounds, are known to suppress or remove protozoa from the rumen.
Fermentation after using HD will help produce more propionic acid, which provides more energy for lactose (milk sugar) production and body weight gain.
#ICAR
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country
#Methane
Methane is gas that is found in small quantities in Earth's atmosphere. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. It is flammable, and is used as a fuel worldwide.
Methane is produced by the breakdown or decay of organic material and can be introduced into the atmosphere by either natural processes – such as the decay of plant material in wetlands, the seepage of gas from underground deposits or the digestion of food by cattle – or human activities – such as oil and gas production, rice farming or waste management.
Methane is produced by animals having rumen.
Rumen is the first of the four stomachs where the cattle eat plant material, cellulose, fibre, starch and sugars. These get fermented or broken down by microorganisms prior to further digestion and nutrient absorption.
Carbohydrate fermentation leads to production of CO2 and hydrogen. These are used by microbes (Archaea) present in the rumen to produce methane.
Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon and doesn’t last as long in the atmosphere before it breaks down.
It is responsible for creating ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant.
Carbon dioxide levels have dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, methane in the atmosphere reached record levels last year
#Seaweed_Based_Animal_Feed
Central Salt & Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) in collaboration with the country’s three leading institutes developed a seaweed-based animal feed additive formulation that aims to reduce methane emissions from cattle and also boost immunity of cattle and poultry.
#Pre_Revision
#Mars
It is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System.
Mars is about half the size of Earth.
As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 24.6 hours, which is very similar to one day on Earth (23.9 hours).
Mars' axis of rotation is tilted 25 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This is similar with Earth, which has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.
Like Earth, Mars has distinct seasons, but they last longer than seasons on Earth since Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun.
Martian days are called sols—short for ‘solar day’.
It has colors such as brown, gold and tan. The reason Mars looks reddish is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called Red Planet.
Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system i.e. Olympus Mons. It's three times taller than Earth's Mt. Everest.
Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases.
Mars has no magnetic field till date, but areas of the Martian crust in the southern hemisphere are highly magnetized, indicating traces of a magnetic field.
Mars has two small moons, #Phobos and #Deimos, that may be captured asteroids.
#Previous_Mars_Missions
The Soviet Union in 1971 became the first country to carry out a Mars landing, Mars 3.
The second country to reach Mars’s surface is the USA. Since 1976, it has achieved 8 successful Mars landing including the ‘#InSight’ in 2019.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars.
#Jezero_Crater --an ancient river delta that has rocks and minerals that could only form in water
#European_Space_Agency has been able to place their spacecraft in Mars’s orbit through the #Mars_Express_Mission.
#India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (#MOM) or #Mangalyaan
First Indian spacecraft to cross Earth’s escape velocity of 11.2 km per second
It was launched on board a PSLV C-25 rocket with aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).
#China’s spacecraft #Tianwen_1 landed on Mars carrying its first Mars rover named #Zhurong.
China's previous ‘Yinghuo-1’ Mars mission, which was supported by a Russian spacecraft, had failed after it did not leave the earth's orbit and disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean in 2012.
The lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on #Utopia_Planitia, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars.
#UAE's --#Hope_mission
Hope is the first planetary science mission led by an Arab country. It is the fourth space mission of the UAE. The previous three were all Earth-Observation satellites.
This mission is scheduled to last for 1 Martian year (687 Earth days). It coincide with the UAE’s 50th anniversary in 2021
It has captured images of glowing atmospheric lights known as discrete auroras.
Unlike auroras on Earth, which are seen only near the north and south poles, discrete auroras on Mars are seen all around the planet at night time. (Due to anamoly in geo-magnetic field)
Reasons for Frequent Missions to Mars:
Similar to Earth:
First, Mars is a planet where life may have evolved in the past. Conditions on early Mars roughly around 4 billion years ago were very similar to that of Earth.
It had a thick atmosphere, which enabled the stability of water on the surface of Mars.
If indeed conditions on Mars were similar to those on Earth, there is a real possibility that microscopic life evolved on Mars.
Mars is the only planet that humans can visit or inhabit in the long term. Venus and Mercury have extreme temperatures – the average temperature is greater than 400 degree C. All planets in the outer solar system starting with Jupiter are made of gas – not silicates or rocks – and are very cold.
Mars is comparatively hospitable in terms of temperature, with an approximate range between 20 degrees C at the Equator to minus 125 degrees C at the poles.
#Pre_Revision
It is the fourth planet from the Sun and the second-smallest planet in the Solar System.
Mars is about half the size of Earth.
As Mars orbits the Sun, it completes one rotation every 24.6 hours, which is very similar to one day on Earth (23.9 hours).
Mars' axis of rotation is tilted 25 degrees with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This is similar with Earth, which has an axial tilt of 23.4 degrees.
Like Earth, Mars has distinct seasons, but they last longer than seasons on Earth since Mars takes longer to orbit the Sun.
Martian days are called sols—short for ‘solar day’.
It has colors such as brown, gold and tan. The reason Mars looks reddish is due to oxidation or rusting of iron in the rocks, and dust of Mars. Hence it is also called Red Planet.
Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system i.e. Olympus Mons. It's three times taller than Earth's Mt. Everest.
Mars has a thin atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon gases.
Mars has no magnetic field till date, but areas of the Martian crust in the southern hemisphere are highly magnetized, indicating traces of a magnetic field.
Mars has two small moons, #Phobos and #Deimos, that may be captured asteroids.
#Previous_Mars_Missions
The Soviet Union in 1971 became the first country to carry out a Mars landing, Mars 3.
The second country to reach Mars’s surface is the USA. Since 1976, it has achieved 8 successful Mars landing including the ‘#InSight’ in 2019.
NASA’s Perseverance Rover has landed on Mars.
#Jezero_Crater --an ancient river delta that has rocks and minerals that could only form in water
#European_Space_Agency has been able to place their spacecraft in Mars’s orbit through the #Mars_Express_Mission.
#India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (#MOM) or #Mangalyaan
First Indian spacecraft to cross Earth’s escape velocity of 11.2 km per second
It was launched on board a PSLV C-25 rocket with aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).
#China’s spacecraft #Tianwen_1 landed on Mars carrying its first Mars rover named #Zhurong.
China's previous ‘Yinghuo-1’ Mars mission, which was supported by a Russian spacecraft, had failed after it did not leave the earth's orbit and disintegrated over the Pacific Ocean in 2012.
The lander from Tianwen-1 has touched down on #Utopia_Planitia, a large plain in the northern hemisphere of Mars.
#UAE's --#Hope_mission
Hope is the first planetary science mission led by an Arab country. It is the fourth space mission of the UAE. The previous three were all Earth-Observation satellites.
This mission is scheduled to last for 1 Martian year (687 Earth days). It coincide with the UAE’s 50th anniversary in 2021
It has captured images of glowing atmospheric lights known as discrete auroras.
Unlike auroras on Earth, which are seen only near the north and south poles, discrete auroras on Mars are seen all around the planet at night time. (Due to anamoly in geo-magnetic field)
Reasons for Frequent Missions to Mars:
Similar to Earth:
First, Mars is a planet where life may have evolved in the past. Conditions on early Mars roughly around 4 billion years ago were very similar to that of Earth.
It had a thick atmosphere, which enabled the stability of water on the surface of Mars.
If indeed conditions on Mars were similar to those on Earth, there is a real possibility that microscopic life evolved on Mars.
Mars is the only planet that humans can visit or inhabit in the long term. Venus and Mercury have extreme temperatures – the average temperature is greater than 400 degree C. All planets in the outer solar system starting with Jupiter are made of gas – not silicates or rocks – and are very cold.
Mars is comparatively hospitable in terms of temperature, with an approximate range between 20 degrees C at the Equator to minus 125 degrees C at the poles.
#Pre_Revision
#Asian_Palm_Civet
Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) aka common palm civets are native to regions within and around Asia, ranging as far east as the Philippines and as far west as Kashmir.
They are widespread but are mostly found in southern China, northern Himalayas, southern India, and islands in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Philippine Sea.
The Asian palm civet inhabits the tropical jungles and rainforests throughout much of Asia.
The main populations of the Asian palm civet however are found in southern India, Sri Lanka, South-east Asia and southern China.
The Asian palm civet is solitary animal that only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food.
These nocturnal animals are primarily ground-dwelling and highly terrestrial.The Asian palm civet is a carnivorous animal, and like other species of civet, it survives on a meat-based diet, supplemented by the odd plant or fruit.
Increasing deforestation (either for logging or to clear the land for palm oil) in their native regions has drastically affected the Asian palm civets.
According to the IUCN, Asian palm civets are of little concern(LC) because they have a wide distribution, large populations, are highly adaptable, and have a stable population trend.
#Brown_palm_civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)
Aka ‘Jerdon’s Palm Civet’, the animal is different from the common civet cat
Unlike the common civet cat or toddy cat, the brown palm civet has brown fur all over its body and a prominently brown nose
Brown Palm Civet has been recorded only in evergreen forest and in degraded and anthropogenic habitats over former evergreen forest, such as coffee plantations; there are no records from deciduous forests.
Endemic to rain forests of Western Ghats
Brown Palm Civet is listed on CITES Appendix III by India, as well as Schedule II part II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
#Last_Ice_Area
This region is located north of Greenland and Ellesmere Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut.
This area was believed to be strong enough to withstand global warming.
The total disappearance of summer ice in the Arctic was estimated by the year 2040, however the ‘Last Ice Area’ was the exception
#Pre_Revision
Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) aka common palm civets are native to regions within and around Asia, ranging as far east as the Philippines and as far west as Kashmir.
They are widespread but are mostly found in southern China, northern Himalayas, southern India, and islands in the Indian Ocean, South China Sea, and the Philippine Sea.
The Asian palm civet inhabits the tropical jungles and rainforests throughout much of Asia.
The main populations of the Asian palm civet however are found in southern India, Sri Lanka, South-east Asia and southern China.
The Asian palm civet is solitary animal that only comes out under the cover of night to hunt and catch food.
These nocturnal animals are primarily ground-dwelling and highly terrestrial.The Asian palm civet is a carnivorous animal, and like other species of civet, it survives on a meat-based diet, supplemented by the odd plant or fruit.
Increasing deforestation (either for logging or to clear the land for palm oil) in their native regions has drastically affected the Asian palm civets.
According to the IUCN, Asian palm civets are of little concern(LC) because they have a wide distribution, large populations, are highly adaptable, and have a stable population trend.
#Brown_palm_civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)
Aka ‘Jerdon’s Palm Civet’, the animal is different from the common civet cat
Unlike the common civet cat or toddy cat, the brown palm civet has brown fur all over its body and a prominently brown nose
Brown Palm Civet has been recorded only in evergreen forest and in degraded and anthropogenic habitats over former evergreen forest, such as coffee plantations; there are no records from deciduous forests.
Endemic to rain forests of Western Ghats
Brown Palm Civet is listed on CITES Appendix III by India, as well as Schedule II part II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
#Last_Ice_Area
This region is located north of Greenland and Ellesmere Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut.
This area was believed to be strong enough to withstand global warming.
The total disappearance of summer ice in the Arctic was estimated by the year 2040, however the ‘Last Ice Area’ was the exception
#Pre_Revision
#Sir_Chettur_Sankaran_Nair
Born in the year 1857 in Palakkad district, he is known for being a passionate advocate for social reforms and a firm believer in the self-determination of India.
In 1897, he became the youngest president of the INC in the history of the party till then, and the only Malayali to hold the post ever.
In 1902, Lord Curzon appointed him a member of the #Raleigh_University_Commission.
In 1904, he was appointed as Companion of the Indian Empire by the King-Emperor and in 1912 he was knighted.
He was appointed as a permanent judge in the Madras High Court in 1908.
In 1915, he became part of the Viceroy’s Council, put in charge of the education portfolio
In 1919, as part of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, he played an important role in the expansion of provisions in the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.
He resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in protestprotest of Jallianwala Bagh (13th April, 1919)
His resignation shook the British government. In the immediate aftermath, press censorship in Punjab was lifted and martial law terminated.
Further, a committee was set up under Lord William Hunter to examine the disturbances in Punjab
In his book ‘Gandhi and Anarchy’, he spelt out his critique of Gandhi’s methods, especially those of non-violence, civil disobedience and non-cooperation.
He accused Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, Michael O’Dwyer in his book, ‘Gandhi and anarchy’ for being responsible for the atrocities at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
For this he faced a defamation (lost)trial filed by Michael O’Dwyer in England.
In Budasna v Fatima (1914), he passed a radical judgement when he ruled that those who converted to Hinduism cannot be treated as outcastes
#Raleigh_Commission_1902
Raleigh Commission was appointed under the presidency of Sir Thomas Raleigh on 27 January 1902 to inquire into the condition and prospects of universities in India and to recommend proposals for improving their constitution and working.
Evidently, the Commission was precluded from reporting on primary or secondary education.
As a result of the report of the recommendations of the Commission the Indian Universities Act was passed in 1904.
The main objective of the Act was to improve the condition of education in India and upgrade the system to a better level.
Universities were empowered to appoint their own staff including the teaching staff.
The number of Fellows of a University was limited within 50 to 100.
The number of elected Fellows was fixed at 20 for the Bombay, Madras and Calcutta Universities and 15 for others.
The Governor-General was now empowered to decide a University’s territorial limits and also affiliation between the universities and colleges.
After the implementation of the provisions of the University Act, though the number of colleges declined, yet the number of students increased considerably.
#Pre_Revision
Born in the year 1857 in Palakkad district, he is known for being a passionate advocate for social reforms and a firm believer in the self-determination of India.
In 1897, he became the youngest president of the INC in the history of the party till then, and the only Malayali to hold the post ever.
In 1902, Lord Curzon appointed him a member of the #Raleigh_University_Commission.
In 1904, he was appointed as Companion of the Indian Empire by the King-Emperor and in 1912 he was knighted.
He was appointed as a permanent judge in the Madras High Court in 1908.
In 1915, he became part of the Viceroy’s Council, put in charge of the education portfolio
In 1919, as part of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, he played an important role in the expansion of provisions in the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.
He resigned from the Viceroy’s Council in protestprotest of Jallianwala Bagh (13th April, 1919)
His resignation shook the British government. In the immediate aftermath, press censorship in Punjab was lifted and martial law terminated.
Further, a committee was set up under Lord William Hunter to examine the disturbances in Punjab
In his book ‘Gandhi and Anarchy’, he spelt out his critique of Gandhi’s methods, especially those of non-violence, civil disobedience and non-cooperation.
He accused Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab, Michael O’Dwyer in his book, ‘Gandhi and anarchy’ for being responsible for the atrocities at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
For this he faced a defamation (lost)trial filed by Michael O’Dwyer in England.
In Budasna v Fatima (1914), he passed a radical judgement when he ruled that those who converted to Hinduism cannot be treated as outcastes
#Raleigh_Commission_1902
Raleigh Commission was appointed under the presidency of Sir Thomas Raleigh on 27 January 1902 to inquire into the condition and prospects of universities in India and to recommend proposals for improving their constitution and working.
Evidently, the Commission was precluded from reporting on primary or secondary education.
As a result of the report of the recommendations of the Commission the Indian Universities Act was passed in 1904.
The main objective of the Act was to improve the condition of education in India and upgrade the system to a better level.
Universities were empowered to appoint their own staff including the teaching staff.
The number of Fellows of a University was limited within 50 to 100.
The number of elected Fellows was fixed at 20 for the Bombay, Madras and Calcutta Universities and 15 for others.
The Governor-General was now empowered to decide a University’s territorial limits and also affiliation between the universities and colleges.
After the implementation of the provisions of the University Act, though the number of colleges declined, yet the number of students increased considerably.
#Pre_Revision
#Tillari_Conservation_Reserve
Tillari is a reserve in Western Ghats, It is the seventh wildlife corridor in Maharashtra to be declared as a ‘conservation reserve’.
It has semi-evergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forests, and a number of unique trees, butterflies, and flowers.
It connects Mhadei sanctuary in Goa and Bhimgad in Karnataka.
Conservation reserves and community reserves are terms denoting protected areas of the country which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.
Tillari is a reserve in western ghats.
#Conservation_Reserves in India
Conservation reserves and community reserves are terms denoting protected areas of the country which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.
Such areas are designated as #conservation_areas if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities and #community_areas if part of the lands are privately owned.
These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002
As of July 2019, there were 88 conservation reserves and 127 community reserves in India.
#Open_Network_for_Digital_Commerce (ONDC)
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has initiated a project on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
The task has been assigned to Quality Council of India (QCI).
ONDC aims at promoting open networks developed on open sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.
ONDC is expected to digitize the entire value chain, standardize operations, promote inclusion of suppliers, derive efficiencies in logistics and enhance value for consumers.
#Quality_Council_of_India
The Quality Council of India (QCI) set up in 1997 is an autonomous body attached to the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government.
Its mandate is to establish and operate the National Accreditation Structure (NAS) for conformity assessment bodies and providing accreditation in the field of health, education and quality promotion .
National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) are the two accreditation boards of the QCI.
Indian industry is represented in QCI by three premier industry associations namely ASSOCHAM; CII; and FICCI.
#Pre_Revision
Tillari is a reserve in Western Ghats, It is the seventh wildlife corridor in Maharashtra to be declared as a ‘conservation reserve’.
It has semi-evergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forests, and a number of unique trees, butterflies, and flowers.
It connects Mhadei sanctuary in Goa and Bhimgad in Karnataka.
Conservation reserves and community reserves are terms denoting protected areas of the country which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.
Tillari is a reserve in western ghats.
#Conservation_Reserves in India
Conservation reserves and community reserves are terms denoting protected areas of the country which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests.
Such areas are designated as #conservation_areas if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities and #community_areas if part of the lands are privately owned.
These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002
As of July 2019, there were 88 conservation reserves and 127 community reserves in India.
#Open_Network_for_Digital_Commerce (ONDC)
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has initiated a project on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
The task has been assigned to Quality Council of India (QCI).
ONDC aims at promoting open networks developed on open sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.
ONDC is expected to digitize the entire value chain, standardize operations, promote inclusion of suppliers, derive efficiencies in logistics and enhance value for consumers.
#Quality_Council_of_India
The Quality Council of India (QCI) set up in 1997 is an autonomous body attached to the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on recommendation of the industry to the government.
Its mandate is to establish and operate the National Accreditation Structure (NAS) for conformity assessment bodies and providing accreditation in the field of health, education and quality promotion .
National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) are the two accreditation boards of the QCI.
Indian industry is represented in QCI by three premier industry associations namely ASSOCHAM; CII; and FICCI.
#Pre_Revision
#Matsya_Setu_App
It is an online course app that aims to disseminate the latest freshwater aquaculture technologies to the aqua farmers of the country.
The app was developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with the funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
Matsya Setu app has species-wise/ subject-wise self-learning online course modules, where renowned aquaculture experts explain the basic concepts and practical demonstrations on breeding, seed production and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes like carp, catfish, scampi, murrel, ornamental fish, pearl farming etc.
Better Management Practices to be followed in maintaining the soil & water quality, feeding and health management in aquaculture operations were also provided in the course platform.
#Imp_of_fisheries
India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
India is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes 7.7% to the global fish production.
Fish constituted about 10% of total exports from India and almost 20% of agriculture exports in 2017-18.
The fisheries and aquaculture production contribute around 1% to India’s GDP and over 5% to the agricultural GDP.
World Fisheries Day-21st Nov.
National Fish Farmers Day(10th July) is celebrated in the memory of scientists Dr K. H. Alikunhi and Dr H. L. Chaudhury.
Both of them successfully demonstrated Hypophysation (technology of induced breeding) in Indian Major Carps (common name for several species of fish) on 10th July 1957.
Around 65% of fish caught from inland fisheries are from low-income food deficit countries.
More than 25% of world dietary protein is provided by the fish.
#Central_Institute_of_freshwater_aquaculture(CIFA)
It was founded in 1987 by ICAR at Bhubaneswar, Odisha
It is India’s largest centre for inland aquaculture.
#Fish_Cryobanks
NFDB and the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) will establish fish cryobanks in different parts of the country.
The Cryomilt technology may be helpful in the establishment of fish cryobanks, which will provide good quality of fish sperm in hatcheries at any time.
This would be the first time in the world when Fish Cryobanks will be established, enhancing fish production and increasing prosperity among the fish farmers.
#National_Fisheries_Development_Board
It was established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Now, it works under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
To enhance fish production and productivity in the country and to coordinate fishery development in an integrated and holistic manner
#National_Bureau_of_Fish_Genetic_Resources
It was established in December 1983, under the aegis of ICAR
Mandate:
Exploration, characterization and cataloguing of fish genetic resources.
Maintenance and preservation of fish genetic resources for conservation and utilization of prioritized species.
Evaluation of indigenous and exotic germplasm including risk assessment and fish health.
#Pre_Revision
It is an online course app that aims to disseminate the latest freshwater aquaculture technologies to the aqua farmers of the country.
The app was developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with the funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.
Matsya Setu app has species-wise/ subject-wise self-learning online course modules, where renowned aquaculture experts explain the basic concepts and practical demonstrations on breeding, seed production and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes like carp, catfish, scampi, murrel, ornamental fish, pearl farming etc.
Better Management Practices to be followed in maintaining the soil & water quality, feeding and health management in aquaculture operations were also provided in the course platform.
#Imp_of_fisheries
India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
India is the 4th largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes 7.7% to the global fish production.
Fish constituted about 10% of total exports from India and almost 20% of agriculture exports in 2017-18.
The fisheries and aquaculture production contribute around 1% to India’s GDP and over 5% to the agricultural GDP.
World Fisheries Day-21st Nov.
National Fish Farmers Day(10th July) is celebrated in the memory of scientists Dr K. H. Alikunhi and Dr H. L. Chaudhury.
Both of them successfully demonstrated Hypophysation (technology of induced breeding) in Indian Major Carps (common name for several species of fish) on 10th July 1957.
Around 65% of fish caught from inland fisheries are from low-income food deficit countries.
More than 25% of world dietary protein is provided by the fish.
#Central_Institute_of_freshwater_aquaculture(CIFA)
It was founded in 1987 by ICAR at Bhubaneswar, Odisha
It is India’s largest centre for inland aquaculture.
#Fish_Cryobanks
NFDB and the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) will establish fish cryobanks in different parts of the country.
The Cryomilt technology may be helpful in the establishment of fish cryobanks, which will provide good quality of fish sperm in hatcheries at any time.
This would be the first time in the world when Fish Cryobanks will be established, enhancing fish production and increasing prosperity among the fish farmers.
#National_Fisheries_Development_Board
It was established in 2006 as an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Now, it works under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
To enhance fish production and productivity in the country and to coordinate fishery development in an integrated and holistic manner
#National_Bureau_of_Fish_Genetic_Resources
It was established in December 1983, under the aegis of ICAR
Mandate:
Exploration, characterization and cataloguing of fish genetic resources.
Maintenance and preservation of fish genetic resources for conservation and utilization of prioritized species.
Evaluation of indigenous and exotic germplasm including risk assessment and fish health.
#Pre_Revision
#Cobra_Lily
The incredibly rare “Arisaema Translucens”, was rediscovered in 2017 in the western Nilgiris after 84 years when it was last collected in 1932.
They can be found only in a small area measuring less than 10 square kilometres in the Nilgiris.
These flowers bloom during peak monsoon season from June to August.
Of the few hundred lilies present in the Nilgiris, only two are endemic
The Toda tribals of the Nilgiris, who know the plant well, have an embroidery motif known as the ‘podwarshk’, which resembles it.
The indigenous community could predict the early arrival of monsoon from the blooming of the cobra lily's ‘translucens’.
Prized for their beauty around the world, cobra lilies are at even greater risk of extinction from the commercial trade in exotic plants.
Cobra lilies have vanished in the past decades along with the disappearance of the shola tree patches in which they were found.
#King_Cobra
IUCN- Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix II
WPA1972: Schedule II.
They are one of the most venomous snakes on the planet and the longest of all venomous snakes.
Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant.
They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard ferociously until the hatchlings emerge.
They live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
They are comfortable in a variety of habitats, including forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove swamps, high-altitude grasslands, and in rivers.
#Pre_Revision
The incredibly rare “Arisaema Translucens”, was rediscovered in 2017 in the western Nilgiris after 84 years when it was last collected in 1932.
They can be found only in a small area measuring less than 10 square kilometres in the Nilgiris.
These flowers bloom during peak monsoon season from June to August.
Of the few hundred lilies present in the Nilgiris, only two are endemic
The Toda tribals of the Nilgiris, who know the plant well, have an embroidery motif known as the ‘podwarshk’, which resembles it.
The indigenous community could predict the early arrival of monsoon from the blooming of the cobra lily's ‘translucens’.
Prized for their beauty around the world, cobra lilies are at even greater risk of extinction from the commercial trade in exotic plants.
Cobra lilies have vanished in the past decades along with the disappearance of the shola tree patches in which they were found.
#King_Cobra
IUCN- Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix II
WPA1972: Schedule II.
They are one of the most venomous snakes on the planet and the longest of all venomous snakes.
Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant.
They are the only snakes in the world that build nests for their eggs, which they guard ferociously until the hatchlings emerge.
They live mainly in the rain forests and plains of India, southern China, and Southeast Asia.
They are comfortable in a variety of habitats, including forests, bamboo thickets, mangrove swamps, high-altitude grasslands, and in rivers.
#Pre_Revision
Dear students,
We are starting the initiative for CSAT preparation. On the following Telegram channel, we will be posting some practice and PYQs (Previous Years Questions). You can also raise your queries here which we will help in solving.
The telegram for CSAT preparation:
https://www.tg-me.com/CSATLevelUpIAS
- Team LevelUp IAS
We are starting the initiative for CSAT preparation. On the following Telegram channel, we will be posting some practice and PYQs (Previous Years Questions). You can also raise your queries here which we will help in solving.
The telegram for CSAT preparation:
https://www.tg-me.com/CSATLevelUpIAS
- Team LevelUp IAS
#Stoliczkia_Vanhnuailianai
It is a new species of snake found in Mizoram
This is the third species of Stoliczkia from India.
The team has named it Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai, in honour of Vanhnuailiana, a famous Mizo warrior.
The team has given it a common name, ‘Lushai hills dragon snake’ and in the local Mizo language it will be called rulphusin, meaning ‘snake with small scales’.
The snake is about 50 cm in length, non-venomous, and has a dark brown shade above with a few dorsal scale rows bright yellow in colour.
The head scales are uniformly dark brown and have bright pinkish sutures.
Though some members of the family Xenodermidae exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, this snake did not exhibit any significant sign of fluorescence.
Its sister species Stoliczkia khasiensis was found more than a century ago in 1904.
The new species is known only from a single specimen at a point locality and further studies are needed to know its distributional range.
#Stoliczkia
It is a genus of snakes in the family Xenodermidae.
The genus contains only two species, one from Northeast India and the other from Borneo.
Stoliczkia borneensis (1899) – Borneo red snake
Stoliczkia khasiensis Jerdon, (1870) – Khasi earth snake, Khase red snake
The genus is named after Ferdinand Stoliczka, Moravian-born zoologist who later worked for the Geological Survey of India.
#Khadi_Prakritik_Paint
It is developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission
The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.
Khadi Prakritik Paint is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint.
Based on cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is cost-effective and odourless and has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others.
#Pre_Revision
It is a new species of snake found in Mizoram
This is the third species of Stoliczkia from India.
The team has named it Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai, in honour of Vanhnuailiana, a famous Mizo warrior.
The team has given it a common name, ‘Lushai hills dragon snake’ and in the local Mizo language it will be called rulphusin, meaning ‘snake with small scales’.
The snake is about 50 cm in length, non-venomous, and has a dark brown shade above with a few dorsal scale rows bright yellow in colour.
The head scales are uniformly dark brown and have bright pinkish sutures.
Though some members of the family Xenodermidae exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, this snake did not exhibit any significant sign of fluorescence.
Its sister species Stoliczkia khasiensis was found more than a century ago in 1904.
The new species is known only from a single specimen at a point locality and further studies are needed to know its distributional range.
#Stoliczkia
It is a genus of snakes in the family Xenodermidae.
The genus contains only two species, one from Northeast India and the other from Borneo.
Stoliczkia borneensis (1899) – Borneo red snake
Stoliczkia khasiensis Jerdon, (1870) – Khasi earth snake, Khase red snake
The genus is named after Ferdinand Stoliczka, Moravian-born zoologist who later worked for the Geological Survey of India.
#Khadi_Prakritik_Paint
It is developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission
The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.
Khadi Prakritik Paint is available in two forms – distemper paint and plastic emulsion paint.
Based on cow dung as its main ingredient, the paint is cost-effective and odourless and has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
The paint is free from heavy metals like lead, mercury, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and others.
#Pre_Revision
#GloLitter_Partnerships_Project
It is launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and . initial funding from the Government of Norway.
Aim: To prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries.
It will also assist developing countries in reducing marine litter, including plastic litter, from within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors, and to decrease the use of plastics in these industries.
Also assist in identifying opportunities to reuse and recycle plastics.
30 countries including India have joined this global initiative to tackle marine litter.
The project will promote compliance with the Voluntary Guidelines of the MARPOL Convention. It contains regulations against discharging plastics into the sea.
Helps in achieving the objective of SDG14.
#MARPOL
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is one of the main international conventions. It aims at the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
The Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) on 2nd November 1973.
India is a signatory
Annexes: The convention currently includes six technical Annexes:
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships
Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.
#International_Maritime_Organization
IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
It is a global standard-setting authority with responsibility to improve the safety and security of international shipping and prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
The IMO is not responsible for enforcing its policies. There is no enforcement mechanism to implement the policies of the IMO.
Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
It was established by means of a Convention adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva on 17 March 1948 and met for the first time in January 1959.
It currently has 174 Member States and 3 associate members.
Revise- #FAO
#Pre_Revision
It is launched by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and . initial funding from the Government of Norway.
Aim: To prevent and reduce marine plastic litter from shipping and fisheries.
It will also assist developing countries in reducing marine litter, including plastic litter, from within the maritime transport and fisheries sectors, and to decrease the use of plastics in these industries.
Also assist in identifying opportunities to reuse and recycle plastics.
30 countries including India have joined this global initiative to tackle marine litter.
The project will promote compliance with the Voluntary Guidelines of the MARPOL Convention. It contains regulations against discharging plastics into the sea.
Helps in achieving the objective of SDG14.
#MARPOL
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is one of the main international conventions. It aims at the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
The Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) on 2nd November 1973.
India is a signatory
Annexes: The convention currently includes six technical Annexes:
Annex I: Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil
Annex II: Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk
Annex III: Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form
Annex IV: Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships
Annex V: Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships
Annex VI: Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.
#International_Maritime_Organization
IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
It is a global standard-setting authority with responsibility to improve the safety and security of international shipping and prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
The IMO is not responsible for enforcing its policies. There is no enforcement mechanism to implement the policies of the IMO.
Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.
It is also involved in legal matters, including liability and compensation issues and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
It was established by means of a Convention adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva on 17 March 1948 and met for the first time in January 1959.
It currently has 174 Member States and 3 associate members.
Revise- #FAO
#Pre_Revision
#Navegaon_Nagzira_Tiger_Reserve (NNTR)
A rare Melanistic Leopard (commonly known as Black Panther) has been recorded in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) of Maharashtra.
The tiger reserve comprises the notified area of Navegaon National Park, Navegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
NNTR has connectivity with the major tiger reserves in Central India like Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Pench & Tadoba-Andhari TR in Maharashtra, Indravati tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh and indirectly with the Kawal & Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh and Achanakmar TR in Chhattisgarh.
It is also connected to important tiger bearing areas like Umred-Karhandala sanctuary and Bramhapuri division
#Black_Panther
IUCN -Vulnerable,
CITES -Appendix I
WPA,1972 -Schedule I.
Black Panther or Black Leopard is a color variant of spotted Indian leopards, reported from densely forested areas of south India, mostly from the state of Karnataka.
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of any Panthera, particularly of the leopard (P. pardus) in Asia and Africa, and the jaguar (P. onca) in the Americas.
They are also known as the ghost of the forest.
It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect. It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India.
Areas where black panther has been spotted earlier:
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa
Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)
Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh)
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa)
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
Habitat - They are mainly in Southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, Southern India, Indonesia, and the southern part of Malaysia.
#Melanism is the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair.
#Pre_Revision
A rare Melanistic Leopard (commonly known as Black Panther) has been recorded in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) of Maharashtra.
The tiger reserve comprises the notified area of Navegaon National Park, Navegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
NNTR has connectivity with the major tiger reserves in Central India like Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Pench & Tadoba-Andhari TR in Maharashtra, Indravati tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh and indirectly with the Kawal & Nagarjunsagar Tiger Reserve in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh and Achanakmar TR in Chhattisgarh.
It is also connected to important tiger bearing areas like Umred-Karhandala sanctuary and Bramhapuri division
#Black_Panther
IUCN -Vulnerable,
CITES -Appendix I
WPA,1972 -Schedule I.
Black Panther or Black Leopard is a color variant of spotted Indian leopards, reported from densely forested areas of south India, mostly from the state of Karnataka.
A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of any Panthera, particularly of the leopard (P. pardus) in Asia and Africa, and the jaguar (P. onca) in the Americas.
They are also known as the ghost of the forest.
It is as shy as a normal leopard and very difficult to detect. It is mostly found in densely forested areas of southern India.
Areas where black panther has been spotted earlier:
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa
Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)
Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka)
Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh)
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa)
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu)
Habitat - They are mainly in Southwestern China, Burma, Nepal, Southern India, Indonesia, and the southern part of Malaysia.
#Melanism is the increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair.
#Pre_Revision
#Bhalia_Wheat
The GI certified wheat variety has high protein content and is sweet in taste.
The crop is grown mostly across Bhal region of Gujarat
The unique characteristic of the wheat variety is that grown in the rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated in around two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
The registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat.
GI tag in India is governed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. It is issued by the Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai).
The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations
Other GIs from Gujarat
Gir Kesar Mango
Tangaliya Shawl
Surat Zari Craft
Kachchh Shawls
Patan Patola
Sankheda Furniture
Kutch Embroidery
Agates of Cambay
Sankheda Furniture Logo
Kutch Embroidery Logo
Jamnagari Bandhani
Rajkot Patola
Pethapur Printing Blocks
#Places_in_News
Port-au-Prince- capital city of the Republic of Haiti
Qala-i-Naw, Badghis Province, Afghanistan
Amami Islands-Archipelago, part of Japan
Litani River- Tonnes of dead fish wash up on the shore of polluted Lebanese lake
Tokara Islands- A small archipelago in Japan/Mysterious Volcanoes
#Pre_Revision
The GI certified wheat variety has high protein content and is sweet in taste.
The crop is grown mostly across Bhal region of Gujarat
The unique characteristic of the wheat variety is that grown in the rainfed condition without irrigation and cultivated in around two lakh hectares of agricultural land in Gujarat.
The registered proprietor of GI certification is Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat.
GI tag in India is governed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999. It is issued by the Geographical Indications Registry (Chennai).
The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
They are also covered under Articles 22 to 24 of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, which was part of the Agreements concluding the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations
Other GIs from Gujarat
Gir Kesar Mango
Tangaliya Shawl
Surat Zari Craft
Kachchh Shawls
Patan Patola
Sankheda Furniture
Kutch Embroidery
Agates of Cambay
Sankheda Furniture Logo
Kutch Embroidery Logo
Jamnagari Bandhani
Rajkot Patola
Pethapur Printing Blocks
#Places_in_News
Port-au-Prince- capital city of the Republic of Haiti
Qala-i-Naw, Badghis Province, Afghanistan
Amami Islands-Archipelago, part of Japan
Litani River- Tonnes of dead fish wash up on the shore of polluted Lebanese lake
Tokara Islands- A small archipelago in Japan/Mysterious Volcanoes
#Pre_Revision
#dbGENVOC
It is the world’s first database of genomic variants of oral cancer.
It is created by the DBT-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani (WB)an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, GOI.
It is the first institution in India explicitly devoted to research, training, translation & service and capacity-building in Biomedical Genomics.
#Oral_Cancer in India
Oral cancer is most prevalent form of cancer among men across India because of tobacco-chewing. Tobacco-chewing changes the genetic material of cells in oral cavity, which in turn changes precipitate oral cancer.
#SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)]
It is an integrated system for automation of sanction and disbursement of defence pension.
Implemented by the Ministry of Defence.
This web-based system processes pension claims and credits pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without relying on any external intermediary
#One_Rank_One_Pension (OROP) scheme: It provides the payment of the same pension to military officers for the same rank for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement.
#Albinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigmentation (melanin) in the skin, hair and eyes. It is non-contagious.
Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation increases vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.
Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves.
The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.
There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.
International Albinism Awareness Day 2020 is being observed on June 13 under the theme "Made to Shine" to celebrate the achievements of persons with albinism worldwide.
2021 theme is #StrengthBeyondAllOdds.
#Pre_Revision
It is the world’s first database of genomic variants of oral cancer.
It is created by the DBT-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani (WB)an autonomous institute funded by the Department of Biotechnology, GOI.
It is the first institution in India explicitly devoted to research, training, translation & service and capacity-building in Biomedical Genomics.
#Oral_Cancer in India
Oral cancer is most prevalent form of cancer among men across India because of tobacco-chewing. Tobacco-chewing changes the genetic material of cells in oral cavity, which in turn changes precipitate oral cancer.
#SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)]
It is an integrated system for automation of sanction and disbursement of defence pension.
Implemented by the Ministry of Defence.
This web-based system processes pension claims and credits pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without relying on any external intermediary
#One_Rank_One_Pension (OROP) scheme: It provides the payment of the same pension to military officers for the same rank for the same length of service, irrespective of the date of retirement.
#Albinism
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the complete or partial absence of pigmentation (melanin) in the skin, hair and eyes. It is non-contagious.
Albinism is associated with a number of vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia. Lack of skin pigmentation increases vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.
Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves.
The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.
There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.
International Albinism Awareness Day 2020 is being observed on June 13 under the theme "Made to Shine" to celebrate the achievements of persons with albinism worldwide.
2021 theme is #StrengthBeyondAllOdds.
#Pre_Revision
#Zika_Virus_Disease
Reported for the first time in Kerala.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda
ZVD is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (AM), mainly Aedes aegypti.
This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Zika virus is also transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation.
Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms.
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome.
There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika
#African_Swine_Fever (ASF)
It is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that infects and leads to an acute form of hemorrhagic fever in domestic and wild pigs.
It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s.
The mortality is close to 100% and since the fever has no cure, the only way to stop its spread is by culling the animals.
ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals.
ASF is a disease listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and thus, reported to the OIE.
#World_Organisation_for_Animal_Health
OIE is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
In 2018, it had a total of 182 Member Countries. India is one of the member countries.
OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules.
It is headquartered in Paris, France.
#Pre_Revision
Reported for the first time in Kerala.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda
ZVD is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (AM), mainly Aedes aegypti.
This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Zika virus is also transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation.
Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms.
Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome.
There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika
#African_Swine_Fever (ASF)
It is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that infects and leads to an acute form of hemorrhagic fever in domestic and wild pigs.
It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s.
The mortality is close to 100% and since the fever has no cure, the only way to stop its spread is by culling the animals.
ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals.
ASF is a disease listed in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and thus, reported to the OIE.
#World_Organisation_for_Animal_Health
OIE is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.
In 2018, it had a total of 182 Member Countries. India is one of the member countries.
OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules.
It is headquartered in Paris, France.
#Pre_Revision
#Buxwaha_Protected_Forest_Region
Madhya Pradesh has proposed diamond mining project in the Buxwaha Protected Forest Region.
#Kimberley_Process
It is an international certification scheme which came into force in 2003 to regulate trade in rough diamonds. It aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds.
The Kimberley Process is also described in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
The KP is not, strictly speaking, an international organisation: it has no permanent offices or permanent staff. It relies on the contributions – under the principle of ‘burden-sharing' – of participants, supported by industry and civil society observers.
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a binding agreement that imposes extensive requirements through the national legislations of its participants.
India is the founding member of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
#Conflict_diamonds, also known as ‘#blood' diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
#Diamonds
Diamond is 100% carbon.
Diamond is also a non-metallic mineral that forms when carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure in the mantle.They brought to the earth’s crust due to volcanism. Most of the diamonds occur in dykes, sill etc.
Diamond (one of the most stable) is less stable than graphite.
The carbon atoms in diamond are linked into a frameworks structure. Every carbon atom is linked into a three dimensional network with strong covalent bonds. This arrangement holds the atoms firmly in place and make diamond an exceptionally hard material.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance found on Earth.
Therefore, the most important industrial use of diamonds is in cutting-edges of drills used for exploration and mining of minerals
#Diamonds_in_India
The Vindhayan system have diamond bearing regions from which Panna and Golconda diamonds have been mined.
Panna belt in Madhya Pradesh;
Wajrakarur Kimberlite pipe in Anantapur district and
Gravels of the Krishna river basin in Andhra Pradesh.
Reserves have been estimated only in Panna belt and Krishna Gravels in Andhra Pradesh.
The new kimberlite fields are discovered recently in Raichur-Gulbarga districts of Karnataka.
Reserves of diamonds in India are not yet exhausted and modern methods are being applied for intensive prospecting and mining.
Cutting and polishing of diamonds is done by modem techniques at important centres like Surat, Navasari, Ahmedabad, Palampur etc.
#US is the largest producer of synthetic industrial diamonds
#Russia holds what is believed to be the world’s largest and richest diamond resources.
#Botswana is the leading diamond-producing country in terms of value, and the second largest in terms of volume. The two important ones are Orapa and Jwaneng, two of the most prolific diamond mines in the world.
#Australia is the leading producer of color diamonds. Australia is famous for its pink, purple and red diamonds.
#South_Africa has the most diverse range of diamond deposits in the world. Deposits include open pit and underground kimberlite pipe/dyke/fissure mining.
#Pre_Revision
Madhya Pradesh has proposed diamond mining project in the Buxwaha Protected Forest Region.
#Kimberley_Process
It is an international certification scheme which came into force in 2003 to regulate trade in rough diamonds. It aims to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds, while helping to protect legitimate trade in rough diamonds.
The Kimberley Process is also described in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
The KP is not, strictly speaking, an international organisation: it has no permanent offices or permanent staff. It relies on the contributions – under the principle of ‘burden-sharing' – of participants, supported by industry and civil society observers.
The Kimberley Process (KP) is a binding agreement that imposes extensive requirements through the national legislations of its participants.
India is the founding member of Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS)
#Conflict_diamonds, also known as ‘#blood' diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
#Diamonds
Diamond is 100% carbon.
Diamond is also a non-metallic mineral that forms when carbon is subjected to extreme heat and pressure in the mantle.They brought to the earth’s crust due to volcanism. Most of the diamonds occur in dykes, sill etc.
Diamond (one of the most stable) is less stable than graphite.
The carbon atoms in diamond are linked into a frameworks structure. Every carbon atom is linked into a three dimensional network with strong covalent bonds. This arrangement holds the atoms firmly in place and make diamond an exceptionally hard material.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance found on Earth.
Therefore, the most important industrial use of diamonds is in cutting-edges of drills used for exploration and mining of minerals
#Diamonds_in_India
The Vindhayan system have diamond bearing regions from which Panna and Golconda diamonds have been mined.
Panna belt in Madhya Pradesh;
Wajrakarur Kimberlite pipe in Anantapur district and
Gravels of the Krishna river basin in Andhra Pradesh.
Reserves have been estimated only in Panna belt and Krishna Gravels in Andhra Pradesh.
The new kimberlite fields are discovered recently in Raichur-Gulbarga districts of Karnataka.
Reserves of diamonds in India are not yet exhausted and modern methods are being applied for intensive prospecting and mining.
Cutting and polishing of diamonds is done by modem techniques at important centres like Surat, Navasari, Ahmedabad, Palampur etc.
#US is the largest producer of synthetic industrial diamonds
#Russia holds what is believed to be the world’s largest and richest diamond resources.
#Botswana is the leading diamond-producing country in terms of value, and the second largest in terms of volume. The two important ones are Orapa and Jwaneng, two of the most prolific diamond mines in the world.
#Australia is the leading producer of color diamonds. Australia is famous for its pink, purple and red diamonds.
#South_Africa has the most diverse range of diamond deposits in the world. Deposits include open pit and underground kimberlite pipe/dyke/fissure mining.
#Pre_Revision
#Thangka_Painting_Himalayas
Thangka paintings are the medium and the message for Buddhists across the Himalayas, from Tibet to Nepal.
The form of a scroll, Thangka are painted or embroidered onto fabric made of linen, cotton, or silk for the loftiest subjects.
The paintings with an almost mathematical level of precision and symmetry, particularly in some of the more complex mandala patterns.
Thangkas can be divided into three types.
•Based on life of Buddha from his birth to his enlightenment.
•Represents Buddhist beliefs of life and death including ‘Wheel of Life’.
•Represents offerings to the deities or meditation
Vegetable and mineral colors are used for Thankga paintings.
#Pithora_Paintings_Gujarat_and_Madhya_Pradesh
Pithora paintings are executed on three inner walls of their houses. These paintings have significance in their lives and executing the Pithora
paintings in their homes brings peace, prosperity and happiness.
Pithora paintings are characterized by the seven horses representing the seven hills that surround the area where the Rathwas reside.
Then the act of making Pithora painting became a ritual and Pithora became the god of Rathwa tribe.
#Thanjavur_painting_Tamilnadu
The paintings are notable for their adornment in the form of semi-precious stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold. The rich vibrant colors, dashes of gold, semi-precious stones and fine artistic work are characteristics of these paintings.
The paintings are mostly of Gods and Goddesses because this art of painting flourished at a time when fine-looking and striking temples were being constructed by rulers of several dynasties
#Saura_Paintings_Orissa
These are mural paintings made by Saura tribe and are similar to Warli paintings.
These are Italons or Ikons and are dedicated to Sauras deity Idital.
Mineral and plant colours are used.
The human shapes are geometrical and stick like.
The designs have gained fashion in recent times with lots of T-shirts and female clothing.
#KANGRA_PAINTING (LATE 18TH CENTURY)
The Pahari School
The Kangra style is developed out of the Guler style & possesses its main characteristics, like the delicacy of drawing & naturalism
The Kangra style continued to flourish at various places namely Kangra, GuIer, Basohli, Chamba, Jammu, Nurpur and Garhwal etc.
However, Named as Kangra style as they are identical in style to the portraits of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra
In these paintings, the faces of women in profile have the nose almost in line with the forehead, the eyes are long & narrow, & chin is sharp.
There is, however, no modelling of figures and hair is treated as a flat mass.
Paintings of the Kangra style are attributed mainly to the Nainsukh family
#Pre_Revision
Thangka paintings are the medium and the message for Buddhists across the Himalayas, from Tibet to Nepal.
The form of a scroll, Thangka are painted or embroidered onto fabric made of linen, cotton, or silk for the loftiest subjects.
The paintings with an almost mathematical level of precision and symmetry, particularly in some of the more complex mandala patterns.
Thangkas can be divided into three types.
•Based on life of Buddha from his birth to his enlightenment.
•Represents Buddhist beliefs of life and death including ‘Wheel of Life’.
•Represents offerings to the deities or meditation
Vegetable and mineral colors are used for Thankga paintings.
#Pithora_Paintings_Gujarat_and_Madhya_Pradesh
Pithora paintings are executed on three inner walls of their houses. These paintings have significance in their lives and executing the Pithora
paintings in their homes brings peace, prosperity and happiness.
Pithora paintings are characterized by the seven horses representing the seven hills that surround the area where the Rathwas reside.
Then the act of making Pithora painting became a ritual and Pithora became the god of Rathwa tribe.
#Thanjavur_painting_Tamilnadu
The paintings are notable for their adornment in the form of semi-precious stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold. The rich vibrant colors, dashes of gold, semi-precious stones and fine artistic work are characteristics of these paintings.
The paintings are mostly of Gods and Goddesses because this art of painting flourished at a time when fine-looking and striking temples were being constructed by rulers of several dynasties
#Saura_Paintings_Orissa
These are mural paintings made by Saura tribe and are similar to Warli paintings.
These are Italons or Ikons and are dedicated to Sauras deity Idital.
Mineral and plant colours are used.
The human shapes are geometrical and stick like.
The designs have gained fashion in recent times with lots of T-shirts and female clothing.
#KANGRA_PAINTING (LATE 18TH CENTURY)
The Pahari School
The Kangra style is developed out of the Guler style & possesses its main characteristics, like the delicacy of drawing & naturalism
The Kangra style continued to flourish at various places namely Kangra, GuIer, Basohli, Chamba, Jammu, Nurpur and Garhwal etc.
However, Named as Kangra style as they are identical in style to the portraits of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra
In these paintings, the faces of women in profile have the nose almost in line with the forehead, the eyes are long & narrow, & chin is sharp.
There is, however, no modelling of figures and hair is treated as a flat mass.
Paintings of the Kangra style are attributed mainly to the Nainsukh family
#Pre_Revision