#National_Maritime_Heritage_Complex (NMHC):
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Culture have signed an MoU for Cooperation in Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat
Archaeologist S.R.Rai discovered Lothal site.
The word Lothal, like Mohenjo-daro, means the mound of the dead. Lothal is located between the Bhogavo and Sabarmati rivers near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
The emphasis on cleanliness can be judged from the discovery of toilets and lota-like jars which shows our fixation with washing up goes back all the way to the Harappan Civilisation.
The city was divided into two parts: the upper town and the lower town. The remains of the brick walls there suggest wide streets, drains and bathing platforms.
Rectangular basin has been found at Lothal that was said to be the dockyard. It is 218 m long and 37 m wide and is bound on all sides by baked bricks.The dockyard proves the maritime activity of the Harappans.
Lothal (Manchester of Indus Valley Civilisation) in Gujarat – double burial, risk husk, fire altars, painted jar, modern day chess, terracotta figure of ship, instruments for measuring 45, 90 and 180-degree angles.
Important Sites of IVC
#Harappa in present Pakistan – granaries with big platform, stone symbol of lingam and yoni, mother goddess figure, wheat and barley in wooden mortar, dice, copper scale and mirror.
#Mohenjodaro in present Pakistan - bronze dancing girl, the sculpture of bearded priest, the great bath, the great granary.
#Dholavira in Gujarat – giant water reservoir, unique water harnessing system, stadium, dams and embankments, inscription comprising 10 large sized signs like an advertisement board.
#Ropar in Punjab – dog buried with human oval pit burials.
#Balathal and Kalibangan in Rajasthan – bangle factory, toy carts, bones of camel, decorated bricks, citadel and lower town.
#Banawali in Haryana – toy plough, barley grains, oval-shaped settlement, the only city with radial streets.
#Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh – impression of a cloth on a trough.
#Pre_Revision
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ministry of Culture have signed an MoU for Cooperation in Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat
Archaeologist S.R.Rai discovered Lothal site.
The word Lothal, like Mohenjo-daro, means the mound of the dead. Lothal is located between the Bhogavo and Sabarmati rivers near the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
The emphasis on cleanliness can be judged from the discovery of toilets and lota-like jars which shows our fixation with washing up goes back all the way to the Harappan Civilisation.
The city was divided into two parts: the upper town and the lower town. The remains of the brick walls there suggest wide streets, drains and bathing platforms.
Rectangular basin has been found at Lothal that was said to be the dockyard. It is 218 m long and 37 m wide and is bound on all sides by baked bricks.The dockyard proves the maritime activity of the Harappans.
Lothal (Manchester of Indus Valley Civilisation) in Gujarat – double burial, risk husk, fire altars, painted jar, modern day chess, terracotta figure of ship, instruments for measuring 45, 90 and 180-degree angles.
Important Sites of IVC
#Harappa in present Pakistan – granaries with big platform, stone symbol of lingam and yoni, mother goddess figure, wheat and barley in wooden mortar, dice, copper scale and mirror.
#Mohenjodaro in present Pakistan - bronze dancing girl, the sculpture of bearded priest, the great bath, the great granary.
#Dholavira in Gujarat – giant water reservoir, unique water harnessing system, stadium, dams and embankments, inscription comprising 10 large sized signs like an advertisement board.
#Ropar in Punjab – dog buried with human oval pit burials.
#Balathal and Kalibangan in Rajasthan – bangle factory, toy carts, bones of camel, decorated bricks, citadel and lower town.
#Banawali in Haryana – toy plough, barley grains, oval-shaped settlement, the only city with radial streets.
#Alamgirpur in Uttar Pradesh – impression of a cloth on a trough.
#Pre_Revision
#AdiPrashikshan_Portal
Developed by the MoTA
ADI PRASHIKSHAN portal is a Central Repository of all training programs conducted by Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), different divisions of Ministry, National Society for Education of Tribal Students (NESTS), Centre of Excellences funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs and National Tribal Research Institute
#Green_Passage_Scheme
Launched by Odisha govt.
It will provide free education to all children who lost their parents to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will be implemented to cover student’s education cost at all levels including school.
The government will bear the costs as well if the orphaned kid is studying at any private institution.
Under the scheme, the eligible children will also be entitled to a pension of Rs 2,000 per month
#Woolly_Flying_Squirrel
Endangered species
The woolly squirrel is typically found within the rugged Himalayan habitat that's situated at an altitude of 16,000 feet.
Woolly squirrels are nocturnal in nature and have grayish-brown fur, which helps them camouflage with their surroundings.
For much of the 20th century, it had been thought to be extinct, until it had been rediscovered in 1994 in northern Pakistan
The two new species discovered are named the Tibetan woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus tibetensis) and also the Yunnan woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus nivamons).
Tibetan woolly flying squirrel lives within the Himalayan region that intersects India, Bhutan, and Tibet, whereas the Yunnan woolly flying squirrel may be a native of the Yunnan of southwestern China.
#Safe_Harbour_Protection
Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act provides for the Safe Harbour protection to social media giants.
This means that as long as a platform acts just as the messenger carrying a message from point A to point B, it will be safe from any legal prosecution due to the transmission of a message. However, it should be without any interference with its content in any manner.
#Ordnance_Factory_Board(OFB)
OFB is an umbrella body of 41 Ordnance Factories.
In 1775, British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata(Hq.). This marked the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
It is currently a subordinate office of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Mandate: It provides a major chunk of the weapon, ammunition, and supplies for Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police forces.
#Pre_Revision
Developed by the MoTA
ADI PRASHIKSHAN portal is a Central Repository of all training programs conducted by Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), different divisions of Ministry, National Society for Education of Tribal Students (NESTS), Centre of Excellences funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs and National Tribal Research Institute
#Green_Passage_Scheme
Launched by Odisha govt.
It will provide free education to all children who lost their parents to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will be implemented to cover student’s education cost at all levels including school.
The government will bear the costs as well if the orphaned kid is studying at any private institution.
Under the scheme, the eligible children will also be entitled to a pension of Rs 2,000 per month
#Woolly_Flying_Squirrel
Endangered species
The woolly squirrel is typically found within the rugged Himalayan habitat that's situated at an altitude of 16,000 feet.
Woolly squirrels are nocturnal in nature and have grayish-brown fur, which helps them camouflage with their surroundings.
For much of the 20th century, it had been thought to be extinct, until it had been rediscovered in 1994 in northern Pakistan
The two new species discovered are named the Tibetan woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus tibetensis) and also the Yunnan woolly flying squirrel (Eupetaurus nivamons).
Tibetan woolly flying squirrel lives within the Himalayan region that intersects India, Bhutan, and Tibet, whereas the Yunnan woolly flying squirrel may be a native of the Yunnan of southwestern China.
#Safe_Harbour_Protection
Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act provides for the Safe Harbour protection to social media giants.
This means that as long as a platform acts just as the messenger carrying a message from point A to point B, it will be safe from any legal prosecution due to the transmission of a message. However, it should be without any interference with its content in any manner.
#Ordnance_Factory_Board(OFB)
OFB is an umbrella body of 41 Ordnance Factories.
In 1775, British authorities accepted the establishment of the Board of Ordnance in Fort William, Kolkata(Hq.). This marked the official beginning of the Army Ordnance in India.
It is currently a subordinate office of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Mandate: It provides a major chunk of the weapon, ammunition, and supplies for Indian armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police forces.
#Pre_Revision
#Inland_Vessels_Bill_2021
which will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917
It provides for a unified law for the entire country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
The certificate of registration granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories, and there will be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.
The Bill provides for a central database for recording the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal.
It requires all mechanically propelled vessels to be mandatorily registered. All non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to be enrolled at district, taluk or panchayat or village level.
It enlarges the definition of ‘inland waters’, by including tidal water limit and national waterways declared by the Central Government.
It also deals with pollution control measures of Inland Vessels. This Bill directs the Central Government to designate a list of chemicals, substances, etc. as pollutants.
#Inland_Waterways_Authority_of_India
It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT (Inland Water Transport) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
It is headquartered at Noida (Uttar Pradesh).
#NW-1
Allahabad-Haldia--1620km
Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system
#NW-2
Dhubri-Sadiya--891km
River Brahmaputra
#NW-3
Kottapuram-Kollam--205km
West Coast canal along with Udyogmandal and Champakara Canals.
#NW-4
Kakinada-Puducherry--1078 km
Rivers Godavari and Krishna
#NW-5
East Coast canal integrated with Brahmani and Mahanadi delta rivers.--588 km
#Integrated_National_Waterways_Transportation_Grid
It plans to link many of the national waterways to each other and also to roads, railways and major ports.
As per the #National_Waterways_Act_2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs).
#Pre_Revision
which will replace the Inland Vessels Act, 1917
It provides for a unified law for the entire country, instead of separate rules framed by the States.
The certificate of registration granted under the proposed law will be deemed to be valid in all States and Union Territories, and there will be no need to seek separate permissions from the States.
The Bill provides for a central database for recording the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on an electronic portal.
It requires all mechanically propelled vessels to be mandatorily registered. All non-mechanically propelled vessels will also have to be enrolled at district, taluk or panchayat or village level.
It enlarges the definition of ‘inland waters’, by including tidal water limit and national waterways declared by the Central Government.
It also deals with pollution control measures of Inland Vessels. This Bill directs the Central Government to designate a list of chemicals, substances, etc. as pollutants.
#Inland_Waterways_Authority_of_India
It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT (Inland Water Transport) infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
It is headquartered at Noida (Uttar Pradesh).
#NW-1
Allahabad-Haldia--1620km
Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system
#NW-2
Dhubri-Sadiya--891km
River Brahmaputra
#NW-3
Kottapuram-Kollam--205km
West Coast canal along with Udyogmandal and Champakara Canals.
#NW-4
Kakinada-Puducherry--1078 km
Rivers Godavari and Krishna
#NW-5
East Coast canal integrated with Brahmani and Mahanadi delta rivers.--588 km
#Integrated_National_Waterways_Transportation_Grid
It plans to link many of the national waterways to each other and also to roads, railways and major ports.
As per the #National_Waterways_Act_2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs).
#Pre_Revision
#Banana
Being a tropical crop banana grows well under the following conditions:
Temperature: 15ºC – 35ºC
Rainfall: an average rainfall of 650-750 mm
Regional variation: Humid tropics to dry mild subtropics
Soil: Deep, rich loamy soil is most preferred for banana cultivation
Nutrients: It has several nutrients like calories, protein, carbohydrate, potassium and trace quantities of vitamin C and B6.
Ecuador, the largest exporter of Banana
India is the world's leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25% in total output.Still, share is just 0.1% in the export market.
Chengalikodan banana of Kerala and Jalgoan Banana of Maharashtra holds Geographical Indication
Jalgaon is considered Banana city of India, It contributes about half of Maharashtra’s banana production and more than 16% of that of India.
#Fusarium_Wilt_of_Banana
It is popularly known as Panama disease.
It is a lethal fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum.
It is the first disease of bananas to have spread globally in the first half of the 20th century.
Fusarium has entirely wiped out Gros Michel, the dominant export variety of bananas in the 1950s.
It was in response to this, a new resistant variety, Grand Nain, came up, which has now fallen to TR4 infection.
#Grand_Nain (musa acuminata).
Grand Nain: accounts for 55% of the banana area in the country and accounts for 62% of commerce, including exports
#Pre_Revision
Being a tropical crop banana grows well under the following conditions:
Temperature: 15ºC – 35ºC
Rainfall: an average rainfall of 650-750 mm
Regional variation: Humid tropics to dry mild subtropics
Soil: Deep, rich loamy soil is most preferred for banana cultivation
Nutrients: It has several nutrients like calories, protein, carbohydrate, potassium and trace quantities of vitamin C and B6.
Ecuador, the largest exporter of Banana
India is the world's leading producer of bananas with a share of around 25% in total output.Still, share is just 0.1% in the export market.
Chengalikodan banana of Kerala and Jalgoan Banana of Maharashtra holds Geographical Indication
Jalgaon is considered Banana city of India, It contributes about half of Maharashtra’s banana production and more than 16% of that of India.
#Fusarium_Wilt_of_Banana
It is popularly known as Panama disease.
It is a lethal fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum.
It is the first disease of bananas to have spread globally in the first half of the 20th century.
Fusarium has entirely wiped out Gros Michel, the dominant export variety of bananas in the 1950s.
It was in response to this, a new resistant variety, Grand Nain, came up, which has now fallen to TR4 infection.
#Grand_Nain (musa acuminata).
Grand Nain: accounts for 55% of the banana area in the country and accounts for 62% of commerce, including exports
#Pre_Revision
#ADMM_Plus(Asian Defence Minister's Meeting)
It is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and eight dialogue partner countries - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
Brunei is the Chair of the ADMM Plus forum this year.
#GeM-_SAHAY_Project
The project has been tailored to meet the specific needs of MSMEs on the GeM platform.
Through the ‘GeM SAHAY’ app, loan disbursement will be instantaneous, instead of the conventional in-principle approval of loan that may very often not culminate in an actual disbursal.
The GeM SAHAY platform is ‘lender agnostic’, allowing for any lender, duly regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, to participate and provide capital and smart collection accounts to the Sellers on GeM.
#Juneteenth
The day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US and is observed on June 19.
It is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day.
#Kerala’s_SilverLine_project
It is Kerala’s flagship semi high-speed railway project aimed at reducing travel time between the state’s northern and southern ends.
#Antarctic_Circumpolar_Current (ACC)
It flows from west to east around Antarctica, it was formed 34 million years ago.
ACC is the only current in the global ocean to close upon itself in a circumpolar loop.
This trait makes the ACC the most important current in the Earth’s climate system because it links the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and is the primary means of inter-basin exchange of heat, carbon dioxide, chemicals, biology and other tracers.
The ACC is created by the combined effects of strong westerly winds across the Southern Ocean, and the big change in surface temperatures between the Equator and the poles.
#Ganga_River
The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier in Uttar Kashi District of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 7,010 m.
Alaknanda River joins Bhagirathi at Devaprayag.
From Devapryag the river is called as Ganga
The Ganga river system outspreads in India, Tibet (China), Nepal and Bangladesh. It is the largest river basin in India and accounts for about one-fourth of the total area of the country. It covers states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Delhi.
#The_Five_Prayags
#Devaprayag, the place of confluence of Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river.
#Rudraprayag, the place of confluence of Mandakini river and Alaknanda river.
#Nandaprayag, the place of confluence of Nandakini river and Alaknanda river.
#Karnaprayag, the place of confluence of Pindar river and Alaknanda river.
#Vishnuprayag, the place of confluence of Dhauliganga river and Alaknanda river.
#Right_Bank_Tributaries
Yamuna River--Chambal River;Banas River;Sind River;Betwa River
Ken River
Son River
Damodar River
#Left_Bank_Tributaries
Ramganga River
Gomti River
Ghaghra River
Kali River
Gandak River
Burhi Gandak
Kosi River
#Pre_Revision
It is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and eight dialogue partner countries - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
Brunei is the Chair of the ADMM Plus forum this year.
#GeM-_SAHAY_Project
The project has been tailored to meet the specific needs of MSMEs on the GeM platform.
Through the ‘GeM SAHAY’ app, loan disbursement will be instantaneous, instead of the conventional in-principle approval of loan that may very often not culminate in an actual disbursal.
The GeM SAHAY platform is ‘lender agnostic’, allowing for any lender, duly regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, to participate and provide capital and smart collection accounts to the Sellers on GeM.
#Juneteenth
The day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US and is observed on June 19.
It is also known as Emancipation Day or Juneteenth Independence Day.
#Kerala’s_SilverLine_project
It is Kerala’s flagship semi high-speed railway project aimed at reducing travel time between the state’s northern and southern ends.
#Antarctic_Circumpolar_Current (ACC)
It flows from west to east around Antarctica, it was formed 34 million years ago.
ACC is the only current in the global ocean to close upon itself in a circumpolar loop.
This trait makes the ACC the most important current in the Earth’s climate system because it links the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans and is the primary means of inter-basin exchange of heat, carbon dioxide, chemicals, biology and other tracers.
The ACC is created by the combined effects of strong westerly winds across the Southern Ocean, and the big change in surface temperatures between the Equator and the poles.
#Ganga_River
The Ganga originates as Bhagirathi from the Gangotri glacier in Uttar Kashi District of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 7,010 m.
Alaknanda River joins Bhagirathi at Devaprayag.
From Devapryag the river is called as Ganga
The Ganga river system outspreads in India, Tibet (China), Nepal and Bangladesh. It is the largest river basin in India and accounts for about one-fourth of the total area of the country. It covers states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Delhi.
#The_Five_Prayags
#Devaprayag, the place of confluence of Bhagirathi river and Alaknanda river.
#Rudraprayag, the place of confluence of Mandakini river and Alaknanda river.
#Nandaprayag, the place of confluence of Nandakini river and Alaknanda river.
#Karnaprayag, the place of confluence of Pindar river and Alaknanda river.
#Vishnuprayag, the place of confluence of Dhauliganga river and Alaknanda river.
#Right_Bank_Tributaries
Yamuna River--Chambal River;Banas River;Sind River;Betwa River
Ken River
Son River
Damodar River
#Left_Bank_Tributaries
Ramganga River
Gomti River
Ghaghra River
Kali River
Gandak River
Burhi Gandak
Kosi River
#Pre_Revision
#Election_petition
Post results, an election petition is the only legal remedy available to a voter or a candidate who believes there has been malpractice in an election.
Such a petition has to be filed within 45 days from the date of the poll results in respective HCs.
Although the Representative of the People Act of 1951 suggests that the High Court should try to conclude the trial within six months, it usually drags on for much longer, even years.
Under Section 100 of the RP Act, an election petition can be filed on the grounds that:
Section 123 of the RP Act has a detailed list of what amounts to corrupt practice, including bribery, use of force or coercion, appeal to vote or refrain from voting on grounds of religion, race, community, and language.
Improper acceptance of the nomination of the winning candidate or improper rejection of a nomination.
Malpractice in the counting process, which includes improper reception, refusal or rejection of any vote, or the reception of any vote which is void.
Non-compliance with the provisions of the Constitution or the RP Act or any rules or orders made under the RP Act.
#Representation_of_Peoples_Act_1950 (RPA Act 1950) offers
Qualification of voters
Preparation of electoral rolls
Delimitation of constituencies
Allocation of seats in the Parliament and state legislatures
#RPA_Act_1951 deals with
Actual conduct of elections
Administrative machinery for conducting elections
Poll
Election offences
Election disputes
By-elections
Registration of political parties
#Section_126_of_the_RPA_1951
48 hours before the polling ends or concludes, displaying of any election matter by television or similar apparatus in a constituency is prohibited.
Section 126 is not applicable to the print media, news portals and social media
Section 126A prohibits the conduct of exit poll and dissemination of its results during the period mentioned.
#Disqualification_of_MPs_and_MLAs
Section 8 (3) of the Act states that if an MP or MLA is convicted for any other crime and is sent to jail for 2 years or more, he/ she will be disqualified for 6 years from the time of release.
Even if a person is on bail after the conviction and his appeal is pending for disposal, he is disqualified from contesting an election.
Section 8(4) allowed convicted MPs, MLAs and MLCs to continue in their posts, provided they appealed against their conviction/sentence in higher courts within 3 months of the date of judgment by the trial court.
The Supreme Court in July 2013 struck down section 8(4) of the RPA, 1951 and declared it ultra vires and held that the disqualification takes place from the date of conviction.
#Pre_Revision
Post results, an election petition is the only legal remedy available to a voter or a candidate who believes there has been malpractice in an election.
Such a petition has to be filed within 45 days from the date of the poll results in respective HCs.
Although the Representative of the People Act of 1951 suggests that the High Court should try to conclude the trial within six months, it usually drags on for much longer, even years.
Under Section 100 of the RP Act, an election petition can be filed on the grounds that:
Section 123 of the RP Act has a detailed list of what amounts to corrupt practice, including bribery, use of force or coercion, appeal to vote or refrain from voting on grounds of religion, race, community, and language.
Improper acceptance of the nomination of the winning candidate or improper rejection of a nomination.
Malpractice in the counting process, which includes improper reception, refusal or rejection of any vote, or the reception of any vote which is void.
Non-compliance with the provisions of the Constitution or the RP Act or any rules or orders made under the RP Act.
#Representation_of_Peoples_Act_1950 (RPA Act 1950) offers
Qualification of voters
Preparation of electoral rolls
Delimitation of constituencies
Allocation of seats in the Parliament and state legislatures
#RPA_Act_1951 deals with
Actual conduct of elections
Administrative machinery for conducting elections
Poll
Election offences
Election disputes
By-elections
Registration of political parties
#Section_126_of_the_RPA_1951
48 hours before the polling ends or concludes, displaying of any election matter by television or similar apparatus in a constituency is prohibited.
Section 126 is not applicable to the print media, news portals and social media
Section 126A prohibits the conduct of exit poll and dissemination of its results during the period mentioned.
#Disqualification_of_MPs_and_MLAs
Section 8 (3) of the Act states that if an MP or MLA is convicted for any other crime and is sent to jail for 2 years or more, he/ she will be disqualified for 6 years from the time of release.
Even if a person is on bail after the conviction and his appeal is pending for disposal, he is disqualified from contesting an election.
Section 8(4) allowed convicted MPs, MLAs and MLCs to continue in their posts, provided they appealed against their conviction/sentence in higher courts within 3 months of the date of judgment by the trial court.
The Supreme Court in July 2013 struck down section 8(4) of the RPA, 1951 and declared it ultra vires and held that the disqualification takes place from the date of conviction.
#Pre_Revision
#E_Waste_Management_Rules_2016
MoEF&CC notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.
Over #21 products (Schedule-I)(under two broad categories: Information technology and communication equipment.
And Consumer electrical and electronics.) were included under the purview of the rule. It included Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps, as well as other such equipment.
For the first time, the rules brought the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (#EPR), along with targets. Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.
Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (#PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.
#Deposit_Refund_Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.
The role of State Governments has been also introduced to ensure welfare measures of workers.
A provision of penalty for violation of rules has also been introduced.
Urban Local Bodies have been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the orphan products to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.
Allocation of proper space to existing and upcoming industrial units for e-waste dismantling and recycling.
E-waste Generation in India:(mains facts)
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generated more than 10 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20, an increase from 7 lakh tonnes in 2017-18. Against this, the e-waste dismantling capacity has not been increased from 7.82 lakh tonnes since 2017-18.
In 2018, the Ministry of Environment had told the tribunal that 95% of e-waste in India is recycled by the informal sector and scrap dealers unscientifically dispose of it by burning or dissolving it in acids
India’s first e-waste clinic has been be set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
#Pre_Revision
MoEF&CC notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.
Over #21 products (Schedule-I)(under two broad categories: Information technology and communication equipment.
And Consumer electrical and electronics.) were included under the purview of the rule. It included Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps, as well as other such equipment.
For the first time, the rules brought the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (#EPR), along with targets. Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.
Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (#PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.
#Deposit_Refund_Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.
The role of State Governments has been also introduced to ensure welfare measures of workers.
A provision of penalty for violation of rules has also been introduced.
Urban Local Bodies have been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the orphan products to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.
Allocation of proper space to existing and upcoming industrial units for e-waste dismantling and recycling.
E-waste Generation in India:(mains facts)
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generated more than 10 lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20, an increase from 7 lakh tonnes in 2017-18. Against this, the e-waste dismantling capacity has not been increased from 7.82 lakh tonnes since 2017-18.
In 2018, the Ministry of Environment had told the tribunal that 95% of e-waste in India is recycled by the informal sector and scrap dealers unscientifically dispose of it by burning or dissolving it in acids
India’s first e-waste clinic has been be set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
#Pre_Revision
#Flag_or_Jhanda_Satyagraha
It focused on exercising the right and freedom to hoist the nationalist flag and challenge the legitimacy of the British Rule in India through the defiance of laws prohibiting the hoisting of nationalist flags and restricting civil freedoms.
It was on March 18, 1923 that the first Tricolour was hoisted in Jabalpur, marking the start of ‘Jhanda Satyagraha’.
With the observance of the All India Flag Day on June 18, 1923, the
Jhanda Satyagraha assumed national complexion with Nagpur as its headquarters and “Nagpur Chalo” as its slogan.
#Indian_Certification_of_Medical_Devices (ICMED) Plus Scheme
The scheme was launched for Certification of Medical Devices in 2016 by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
The ICMED 13485 PLUS, as the new scheme has been christened, will undertake verification of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical devices.
This scheme will be an end to end quality assurance scheme for the medical devices sector in India.
#The_Great_Barrington_Declaration is a statement advocating an alternative approach to the COVID-19 pandemic which involves “Focused Protection” of those most at risk and seeks to avoid or minimize the societal harm of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
#Gulf_of_Aden
It is a deep water basin that forms a natural sea link between the red Sea and Arabian sea.
It is situated between the coasts of Arabia and Horn of Africa.
It connects to the red Sea in the West and the Arabian sea in the East
The Gulf of Aden and Red sea are connected through Bab-al-Mandeb strait.
Djibouti to the east, Somalia to the South, Yemen to the North.
#Pre_Revision
It focused on exercising the right and freedom to hoist the nationalist flag and challenge the legitimacy of the British Rule in India through the defiance of laws prohibiting the hoisting of nationalist flags and restricting civil freedoms.
It was on March 18, 1923 that the first Tricolour was hoisted in Jabalpur, marking the start of ‘Jhanda Satyagraha’.
With the observance of the All India Flag Day on June 18, 1923, the
Jhanda Satyagraha assumed national complexion with Nagpur as its headquarters and “Nagpur Chalo” as its slogan.
#Indian_Certification_of_Medical_Devices (ICMED) Plus Scheme
The scheme was launched for Certification of Medical Devices in 2016 by the Quality Council of India (QCI).
The ICMED 13485 PLUS, as the new scheme has been christened, will undertake verification of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical devices.
This scheme will be an end to end quality assurance scheme for the medical devices sector in India.
#The_Great_Barrington_Declaration is a statement advocating an alternative approach to the COVID-19 pandemic which involves “Focused Protection” of those most at risk and seeks to avoid or minimize the societal harm of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
#Gulf_of_Aden
It is a deep water basin that forms a natural sea link between the red Sea and Arabian sea.
It is situated between the coasts of Arabia and Horn of Africa.
It connects to the red Sea in the West and the Arabian sea in the East
The Gulf of Aden and Red sea are connected through Bab-al-Mandeb strait.
Djibouti to the east, Somalia to the South, Yemen to the North.
#Pre_Revision
#Global_Assessment_Report
Global Assessment Report (GAR) is the flagship report of United Nations. It is published biennially by the UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
The GAR aims to focus international attention on the issue of disaster risk and encourage political and economic support for disaster risk reduction.
The GAR Special Report on Drought 2021 explores the systemic nature of drought and its impacts on achievement of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The report estimated impact of severe droughts on India’s GDP to be about 2-5% per annum, despite decreasing contribution of agriculture in the country’s expanding economy.
#United_Nations_Office_for_Disaster_Risk_Reduction (UNISDR)
The UNISDR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
Hq. in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is an organisational unit of the UN Secretariat and is led by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG).
UNISDR's Strategic Framework 2016-2021 has a vision to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses for a sustainable future with the mandate to act as the custodian of the Sendai Framework, supporting countries and societies in its implementation, monitoring and review of progress.
#Sendai_Framework
The “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030” was adopted during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015.
It is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda, with seven targets and four priorities for action.
It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR).
The Framework is for 15-year. It is a voluntary and non-binding agreement which recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.
The new Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
#Pre_Revision
Global Assessment Report (GAR) is the flagship report of United Nations. It is published biennially by the UN office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
The GAR aims to focus international attention on the issue of disaster risk and encourage political and economic support for disaster risk reduction.
The GAR Special Report on Drought 2021 explores the systemic nature of drought and its impacts on achievement of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The report estimated impact of severe droughts on India’s GDP to be about 2-5% per annum, despite decreasing contribution of agriculture in the country’s expanding economy.
#United_Nations_Office_for_Disaster_Risk_Reduction (UNISDR)
The UNISDR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
Hq. in Geneva, Switzerland.
It is an organisational unit of the UN Secretariat and is led by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG).
UNISDR's Strategic Framework 2016-2021 has a vision to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses for a sustainable future with the mandate to act as the custodian of the Sendai Framework, supporting countries and societies in its implementation, monitoring and review of progress.
#Sendai_Framework
The “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030” was adopted during the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015.
It is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda, with seven targets and four priorities for action.
It was endorsed by the UN General Assembly following the 2015 Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR).
The Framework is for 15-year. It is a voluntary and non-binding agreement which recognizes that the State has the primary role to reduce disaster risk but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders including local government, the private sector and other stakeholders.
The new Framework is the successor instrument to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
#Pre_Revision
#Black_Softshell_Turtle
Black Softshell Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle. It is found in India and Bangladesh.
Distribution
Brahmaputra’s drainage and Near Temple Ponds in Assam
Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet)
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Indian Wildlife Protection Act,1972: It does not enjoy legal protection.
Temple Ponds in Assam conserve Turtles based on religious grounds.
At the Bayazid Bostami shrine in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the black softshell turtle is known as mazari(inhabitant).
#The_Hayagriva_Madhava_Temple Committee in Assam has signed an MoU with Turtle Survival Alliance India, Help Earth, and Assam Forests Department to conserve the Black Softshell Turtle.
The Hayagriva Madhava temple exists in a hilly place which is located at Hajo nearby Guwahati, Assam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The present temple structure was constructed by King Raghudeva Narayan in 1583.
According to Historians, the temple was built during the Pala period of 10th-12th century A. D.
The temple is revered by Buddhists also, as they believe that the Hayagriva Madhava temple is the place where Buddha attained Nirvana.
#Turtle_Survival_Alliance
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was formed in 2001 as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) partnership for sustainable captive management of freshwater turtles and tortoises.
The TSA arose in response to the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtle populations to supply Chinese markets, a situation known as the Asian Turtle Crisis.
Mission: ‘Zero Turtle Extinctions in the 21st Century’.
#KURMA_App
It is developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India
aimed at turtle conservation.
It has a built-in digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises of India
World Turtle Day 23rd May
#Pre_Revision
Black Softshell Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle. It is found in India and Bangladesh.
Distribution
Brahmaputra’s drainage and Near Temple Ponds in Assam
Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet)
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Indian Wildlife Protection Act,1972: It does not enjoy legal protection.
Temple Ponds in Assam conserve Turtles based on religious grounds.
At the Bayazid Bostami shrine in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the black softshell turtle is known as mazari(inhabitant).
#The_Hayagriva_Madhava_Temple Committee in Assam has signed an MoU with Turtle Survival Alliance India, Help Earth, and Assam Forests Department to conserve the Black Softshell Turtle.
The Hayagriva Madhava temple exists in a hilly place which is located at Hajo nearby Guwahati, Assam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The present temple structure was constructed by King Raghudeva Narayan in 1583.
According to Historians, the temple was built during the Pala period of 10th-12th century A. D.
The temple is revered by Buddhists also, as they believe that the Hayagriva Madhava temple is the place where Buddha attained Nirvana.
#Turtle_Survival_Alliance
The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) was formed in 2001 as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) partnership for sustainable captive management of freshwater turtles and tortoises.
The TSA arose in response to the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtle populations to supply Chinese markets, a situation known as the Asian Turtle Crisis.
Mission: ‘Zero Turtle Extinctions in the 21st Century’.
#KURMA_App
It is developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife Conservation Society-India
aimed at turtle conservation.
It has a built-in digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises of India
World Turtle Day 23rd May
#Pre_Revision
#Bhitarkanika_National_Park_Odisha
Surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
National Park since 1998
Ramsar Convention site since 2002
Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lies to the east
It is home to Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), White Crocodile, Indian python, King Cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna.
The sanctuary is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
The national park and wildlife sanctuary is inundated by a number of rivers – Brahmani, Baitarni, Dhamra, Pathsala, Mahanadi
The park is famous for its green mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles and countless creeks.
It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
Kalibhanjadiha Island is situated on the River Dhamra inside the Bhitarkanika National park in Odisha.
Recently, it was found that Cyclone Yaas, which hit the state in May, 2021 had negligible impact in Kalibhanjadiha Island inside the national park due to the presence of mangroves.
#Jaan_Hai_To_Jahan_Hai_Campaign
By Mo Minority Affairs to tackle concerns and myths about the COVID-19 vaccine
#Herbicide_Tolerant_Bt (HTBt) Cotton
Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the Centre for commercial cultivation in India.
It has been genetically modified (GM) to produce an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest.
Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBt) Cotton has not been approved by regulators.
Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect, as well as the unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination, creating a variety of super weeds.
As it is not approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), illegal sale takes place in Indian markets.
#Genetic_Engineering_Appraisal_Committee (GEAC)
GEAC is apex body under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for regulating manufacturing, use, import, export and storage of hazardous micro-organisms or genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) and cells in the country.
It is also responsible for giving technical approval of proposals relating to release of GMOs and products including experimental field trials.
GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
However, Environment Minister gives final approval for GMOs.
#Pre_Revision
Surrounded by the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.
National Park since 1998
Ramsar Convention site since 2002
Gahirmatha Beach and Marine Sanctuary lies to the east
It is home to Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), White Crocodile, Indian python, King Cobra, black ibis, darters and many other species of flora and fauna.
The sanctuary is the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
The national park and wildlife sanctuary is inundated by a number of rivers – Brahmani, Baitarni, Dhamra, Pathsala, Mahanadi
The park is famous for its green mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles and countless creeks.
It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
Kalibhanjadiha Island is situated on the River Dhamra inside the Bhitarkanika National park in Odisha.
Recently, it was found that Cyclone Yaas, which hit the state in May, 2021 had negligible impact in Kalibhanjadiha Island inside the national park due to the presence of mangroves.
#Jaan_Hai_To_Jahan_Hai_Campaign
By Mo Minority Affairs to tackle concerns and myths about the COVID-19 vaccine
#Herbicide_Tolerant_Bt (HTBt) Cotton
Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the Centre for commercial cultivation in India.
It has been genetically modified (GM) to produce an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest.
Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBt) Cotton has not been approved by regulators.
Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect, as well as the unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination, creating a variety of super weeds.
As it is not approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), illegal sale takes place in Indian markets.
#Genetic_Engineering_Appraisal_Committee (GEAC)
GEAC is apex body under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for regulating manufacturing, use, import, export and storage of hazardous micro-organisms or genetically engineered organisms (GMOs) and cells in the country.
It is also responsible for giving technical approval of proposals relating to release of GMOs and products including experimental field trials.
GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
However, Environment Minister gives final approval for GMOs.
#Pre_Revision
#Ajit_Mishra_expert_group
Its mandate is to provide technical inputs and recommendations on fixation of Minimum Wages and National Floor Wages to the Government.
#Biotech_KISAN_Programme
It is a farmer-centric scheme for farmers, developed by and with farmers under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
It is a pan-India program, following a hub-and-spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women farmers.
It identifies and promotes local farm leadership in both genders. Such leadership helps to develop science-based farming besides facilitating the transfer of knowledge.
#National_Internet_Exchange_of_India (NIXI)
It is a not-for-profit organization (section 8 of the Companies Act 2013)
Under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
It was set up for peering of ISPs among themselves for the purpose of routing the domestic traffic within the country.
It is working since 2003 for spreading the internet infrastructure to the citizens of India through the following activities:
Internet Exchanges through which the internet data is exchanged amongst ISP’s, Data Centers and CDNs.
IN Registry, managing and operation of .IN country code domain and .भारत IDN domain for India.
IRINN, managing and operating Internet protocol (IPv4/IPv6)
#Pre_Revision
Its mandate is to provide technical inputs and recommendations on fixation of Minimum Wages and National Floor Wages to the Government.
#Biotech_KISAN_Programme
It is a farmer-centric scheme for farmers, developed by and with farmers under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.
It is a pan-India program, following a hub-and-spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women farmers.
It identifies and promotes local farm leadership in both genders. Such leadership helps to develop science-based farming besides facilitating the transfer of knowledge.
#National_Internet_Exchange_of_India (NIXI)
It is a not-for-profit organization (section 8 of the Companies Act 2013)
Under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
It was set up for peering of ISPs among themselves for the purpose of routing the domestic traffic within the country.
It is working since 2003 for spreading the internet infrastructure to the citizens of India through the following activities:
Internet Exchanges through which the internet data is exchanged amongst ISP’s, Data Centers and CDNs.
IN Registry, managing and operation of .IN country code domain and .भारत IDN domain for India.
IRINN, managing and operating Internet protocol (IPv4/IPv6)
#Pre_Revision
#Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2.
At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible diatomic gas.
Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion.
It is the most abundant element in the universe. The sun and other stars are composed largely of hydrogen.
Astronomers estimate that 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is a component of more compounds than any other element.
Water is the most abundant compound of hydrogen found on earth.
Molecular hydrogen is not available on Earth in convenient natural reservoirs. Most hydrogen on Earth is bonded to oxygen in water and to carbon in live or dead and/or fossilized biomass. It can be created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen can be stored physically as either a gas or a liquid. Storage of hydrogen as a gas typically requires high-pressure tanks. Storage of hydrogen as a liquid requires cryogenic temperatures because the boiling point of hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure is −252.8°C. Hydrogen can also be stored on the surfaces of solids (by adsorption) or within solids (by absorption)
#Grey_Hydrogen
It is produced with fossil fuels (i.e. hydrogen produced from methane using steam methane reforming (SMR) or coal gasification).
The use of grey hydrogen entails substantial CO2 emissions, which makes these hydrogen technologies unsuitable for a route toward net-zero emissions.
#Blue_Hydrogen
It is produced from methane or coal using SMR or gasification with carbon capture (85-95%).
#Turquoise_Hydrogen
It combines the use of natural gas as feedstock with no CO2 production.
Through the process of pyrolysis, the carbon in the methane becomes solid carbon black.
A market for carbon black already exists, which provides an additional revenue stream.
Carbon black can be more easily stored than gaseous CO2.
At the moment, turquoise hydrogen is still at the pilot stage.
#Green_Hydrogen
Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint.
It is the most suitable one for a fully sustainable energy transition.
This gives Hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage.
Green hydrogen has innumerable applications.
Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilized in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping etc.
Green Hydrogen blending up to 10% may be adopted in CGD networks to gain widespread acceptance.
Further scaling up with greening of hard to abate sectors (like steel and cement) through hydrogen is to be explored.
#Pre_Revision
Hydrogen is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Since the weight of hydrogen is less than air, it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form, H2.
At standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is a nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible diatomic gas.
Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft propulsion.
It is the most abundant element in the universe. The sun and other stars are composed largely of hydrogen.
Astronomers estimate that 90% of the atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen is a component of more compounds than any other element.
Water is the most abundant compound of hydrogen found on earth.
Molecular hydrogen is not available on Earth in convenient natural reservoirs. Most hydrogen on Earth is bonded to oxygen in water and to carbon in live or dead and/or fossilized biomass. It can be created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Hydrogen can be stored physically as either a gas or a liquid. Storage of hydrogen as a gas typically requires high-pressure tanks. Storage of hydrogen as a liquid requires cryogenic temperatures because the boiling point of hydrogen at one atmosphere pressure is −252.8°C. Hydrogen can also be stored on the surfaces of solids (by adsorption) or within solids (by absorption)
#Grey_Hydrogen
It is produced with fossil fuels (i.e. hydrogen produced from methane using steam methane reforming (SMR) or coal gasification).
The use of grey hydrogen entails substantial CO2 emissions, which makes these hydrogen technologies unsuitable for a route toward net-zero emissions.
#Blue_Hydrogen
It is produced from methane or coal using SMR or gasification with carbon capture (85-95%).
#Turquoise_Hydrogen
It combines the use of natural gas as feedstock with no CO2 production.
Through the process of pyrolysis, the carbon in the methane becomes solid carbon black.
A market for carbon black already exists, which provides an additional revenue stream.
Carbon black can be more easily stored than gaseous CO2.
At the moment, turquoise hydrogen is still at the pilot stage.
#Green_Hydrogen
Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint.
It is the most suitable one for a fully sustainable energy transition.
This gives Hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage.
Green hydrogen has innumerable applications.
Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilized in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping etc.
Green Hydrogen blending up to 10% may be adopted in CGD networks to gain widespread acceptance.
Further scaling up with greening of hard to abate sectors (like steel and cement) through hydrogen is to be explored.
#Pre_Revision
#Angel_Investor
An angel investor is a wealthy individual that agrees to invest in a small startup company that has little access to capital.
Typically, angel investors are entrepreneurs who may also be friends or relatives of the person starting the company.
They believe in the company’s founders, as well as their business concept, and they loan the capital needed for the fledgling company to get off the ground, generally at more favorable loan terms than other lenders.
Often, angel investors want their investment to remain private. In return for their support, angel investors usually receive ownership in the new company, often in the form of preferred stock.
#Anchor_Investor
Anchor investor is a concept launched by Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2009.
Anchor investors are institutional investors who are invited to subscribe the shares before the Initial Public Offers (IPOs) open so that it jazzes up the popularity of the issue.
The anchor investors are required to take up the share at a fixed price to make other investors confident and improve the demand of the share.
Each anchor investor needs to invest a minimum of Rs 10 crore in the issue.
#Gain_of_function_Research
‘Gain of function’ is a field of research focused on growing generations of microorganisms, under conditions that cause mutations in a virus.
These experiments are termed ‘gain of function’ because they involve manipulating pathogens in a way that they gain an advantage in or through a function, such as increased transmissibility.
Such experiments allow scientists to better predict emerging infectious diseases, and to develop vaccines and therapeutics.
There is also #loss_of_function research, which involves inactivating mutations, resulting in a significant loss of original function, or no function to the pathogen.
#Serial_passaging involves allowing the pathogen to grow under different circumstances and then observing the changes.
#Pre_Revision
An angel investor is a wealthy individual that agrees to invest in a small startup company that has little access to capital.
Typically, angel investors are entrepreneurs who may also be friends or relatives of the person starting the company.
They believe in the company’s founders, as well as their business concept, and they loan the capital needed for the fledgling company to get off the ground, generally at more favorable loan terms than other lenders.
Often, angel investors want their investment to remain private. In return for their support, angel investors usually receive ownership in the new company, often in the form of preferred stock.
#Anchor_Investor
Anchor investor is a concept launched by Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2009.
Anchor investors are institutional investors who are invited to subscribe the shares before the Initial Public Offers (IPOs) open so that it jazzes up the popularity of the issue.
The anchor investors are required to take up the share at a fixed price to make other investors confident and improve the demand of the share.
Each anchor investor needs to invest a minimum of Rs 10 crore in the issue.
#Gain_of_function_Research
‘Gain of function’ is a field of research focused on growing generations of microorganisms, under conditions that cause mutations in a virus.
These experiments are termed ‘gain of function’ because they involve manipulating pathogens in a way that they gain an advantage in or through a function, such as increased transmissibility.
Such experiments allow scientists to better predict emerging infectious diseases, and to develop vaccines and therapeutics.
There is also #loss_of_function research, which involves inactivating mutations, resulting in a significant loss of original function, or no function to the pathogen.
#Serial_passaging involves allowing the pathogen to grow under different circumstances and then observing the changes.
#Pre_Revision
#Osmosis involves ‘a solvent (such as water) naturally moving from an area of low solute concentration, through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration.
#A_reverse_osmosis system applies an external pressure to reverse the natural flow of solvent and so seawater or brackish water is pressurised against one surface of the membrane, causing salt-depleted water to move across the membrane, releasing clean water from the low-pressure side’.
Anywhere between three-five times more water is wasted by them.
Another concern with RO is that it filters out calcium, zinc, magnesium, which are essential salts needed by the body; drinking such water over time could be harmful.
The average RO system only aims to reduce Total Dissolved Solids, ensure water is odourless and has a pH from 6.5-8.5.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) claimed that most filtration methods did not eliminate Hepatitis E virus. A combination of filtration systems can eliminate most contaminants.
#Forward_Osmosis
Operation at low hydraulic pressure allows forward osmosis process to be robust against fouling and mitigating compaction of fouling materials on the membrane surface.
The FO system facilitates high recovery, low energy consumption, potential for resource recovery, especially in solutions of high osmotic pressure, easier and more effective cleaning of the membrane, longer membrane life and lower operating costs.
#Difference_between_FO_and_RO
Like reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis is a membrane based water treatment solution.
The main difference between reverse osmosis and forward osmosis is how water is driven through the membrane.
In reverse osmosis, the water is forced through the membrane using hydraulic pressure.
Forward osmosis uses natural osmotic pressure to induce the flow of water through the membrane.
#Technological_alternatives
#Low_temperature_thermal_desalination (LTTD) technique works on the principle that water in the ocean 1,000 or 2,000 feet below is about 4º C to 8º C colder than surface water. So, salty surface water is collected in a tank and subject to high pressure (via an external power source). This pressured water vapourises and this is trapped in tubes or a chamber. Cold water plumbed from the ocean depths is passed over these tubes and the vapour condenses into fresh water and the resulting salt diverted away.
#Ocean_Thermal_Energy_Conversion: It will draw power from the vapour generated as a part of the desalination process. This vapour will run a turbine and thereby will be independent of an external power source. While great in theory, there is no guarantee it will work commercially. For one, this ocean-based plant requires a pipe that needs to travel 50 kilometres underground in the sea before it reaches the mainland.
#Water_Technology_Initiative (WTI)
It is an initiative of Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Technology.
It aims to strengthen the R&D capacity and capability to develop the research based solutions for existing and emerging water challenges facing the country in the area of water quality, quantity and water reuse and recycling.
SDG-6 (Clean water and sanitation) which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
#Pre_Revision
#A_reverse_osmosis system applies an external pressure to reverse the natural flow of solvent and so seawater or brackish water is pressurised against one surface of the membrane, causing salt-depleted water to move across the membrane, releasing clean water from the low-pressure side’.
Anywhere between three-five times more water is wasted by them.
Another concern with RO is that it filters out calcium, zinc, magnesium, which are essential salts needed by the body; drinking such water over time could be harmful.
The average RO system only aims to reduce Total Dissolved Solids, ensure water is odourless and has a pH from 6.5-8.5.
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) claimed that most filtration methods did not eliminate Hepatitis E virus. A combination of filtration systems can eliminate most contaminants.
#Forward_Osmosis
Operation at low hydraulic pressure allows forward osmosis process to be robust against fouling and mitigating compaction of fouling materials on the membrane surface.
The FO system facilitates high recovery, low energy consumption, potential for resource recovery, especially in solutions of high osmotic pressure, easier and more effective cleaning of the membrane, longer membrane life and lower operating costs.
#Difference_between_FO_and_RO
Like reverse osmosis (RO), forward osmosis is a membrane based water treatment solution.
The main difference between reverse osmosis and forward osmosis is how water is driven through the membrane.
In reverse osmosis, the water is forced through the membrane using hydraulic pressure.
Forward osmosis uses natural osmotic pressure to induce the flow of water through the membrane.
#Technological_alternatives
#Low_temperature_thermal_desalination (LTTD) technique works on the principle that water in the ocean 1,000 or 2,000 feet below is about 4º C to 8º C colder than surface water. So, salty surface water is collected in a tank and subject to high pressure (via an external power source). This pressured water vapourises and this is trapped in tubes or a chamber. Cold water plumbed from the ocean depths is passed over these tubes and the vapour condenses into fresh water and the resulting salt diverted away.
#Ocean_Thermal_Energy_Conversion: It will draw power from the vapour generated as a part of the desalination process. This vapour will run a turbine and thereby will be independent of an external power source. While great in theory, there is no guarantee it will work commercially. For one, this ocean-based plant requires a pipe that needs to travel 50 kilometres underground in the sea before it reaches the mainland.
#Water_Technology_Initiative (WTI)
It is an initiative of Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Technology.
It aims to strengthen the R&D capacity and capability to develop the research based solutions for existing and emerging water challenges facing the country in the area of water quality, quantity and water reuse and recycling.
SDG-6 (Clean water and sanitation) which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
#Pre_Revision
#Nipah_Virus
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans).
The infection is generally transmitted from animals to human beings, mainly from bats and pigs.
Human-to-human transmission is also possible, and so is transmission from contaminated food.
The natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and Pteropus genus, widely found in South and South East Asia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the infection has been found to be fatal in 40% to 75% of the infected patients.
There is no treatment, nor any vaccine is available as of now, either for humans or animals.
Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in, Malaysia.
In India, the first outbreak was in 2001 in Siliguri. Another outbreak happened in 2007 in Nadia of West Bengal.
#Zoonotic_Diseases
The word 'Zoonosis' (Pleural: Zoonoses) was introduced by Rudolf Virchow in 1880 to include collectively the diseases shared in nature by man and animals. Later WHO in 1959 defined that Zoonoses are "those diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man". Zoonoses include only those infections where there is either a proof or a strong circumstantial evidence for transmission between animals and man.
#One_Health
“One Health” approach focuses on acknowledging the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment. It involves a multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to address potential or existing risks that originate at the animal-human-ecosystems interface.
#India’s ‘One Health’ vision
India’s ‘One Health’ vision derives its blueprint from the agreement between the tripartite-plus alliance.
The alliance comprises the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — a global initiative supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank under the overarching goal of contributing to ‘One World, One Health’.
In keeping with the long-term objectives, India established a National Standing Committee on Zoonoses as far back as the 1980s.
This year, funds were sanctioned for setting up a ‘Centre for One Health’ at Nagpur.
Further, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched several schemes to mitigate the prevalence of animal diseases since 2015.
Hence, under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, ₹13,343 crore have been sanctioned for Foot and Mouth disease and Brucellosis control.
DAHD will soon establish a ‘One Health’ unit within the Ministry.
The government is working to revamp programmes that focus on capacity building for veterinarians such as Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
There is increased focus on vaccination against livestock diseases and backyard poultry.
DAHD has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the National Action Plan for Eliminating Dog Mediated Rabies.
#World_Zoonoses_Day-6th july
According to a report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), about 60% of known infectious diseases in humans and 75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic.
#Pre_Revision
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from animals to humans).
The infection is generally transmitted from animals to human beings, mainly from bats and pigs.
Human-to-human transmission is also possible, and so is transmission from contaminated food.
The natural host of the virus are fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family and Pteropus genus, widely found in South and South East Asia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the infection has been found to be fatal in 40% to 75% of the infected patients.
There is no treatment, nor any vaccine is available as of now, either for humans or animals.
Nipah virus was first recognized in 1999 during an outbreak among pig farmers in, Malaysia.
In India, the first outbreak was in 2001 in Siliguri. Another outbreak happened in 2007 in Nadia of West Bengal.
#Zoonotic_Diseases
The word 'Zoonosis' (Pleural: Zoonoses) was introduced by Rudolf Virchow in 1880 to include collectively the diseases shared in nature by man and animals. Later WHO in 1959 defined that Zoonoses are "those diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and man". Zoonoses include only those infections where there is either a proof or a strong circumstantial evidence for transmission between animals and man.
#One_Health
“One Health” approach focuses on acknowledging the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment. It involves a multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approach to address potential or existing risks that originate at the animal-human-ecosystems interface.
#India’s ‘One Health’ vision
India’s ‘One Health’ vision derives its blueprint from the agreement between the tripartite-plus alliance.
The alliance comprises the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — a global initiative supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank under the overarching goal of contributing to ‘One World, One Health’.
In keeping with the long-term objectives, India established a National Standing Committee on Zoonoses as far back as the 1980s.
This year, funds were sanctioned for setting up a ‘Centre for One Health’ at Nagpur.
Further, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched several schemes to mitigate the prevalence of animal diseases since 2015.
Hence, under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, ₹13,343 crore have been sanctioned for Foot and Mouth disease and Brucellosis control.
DAHD will soon establish a ‘One Health’ unit within the Ministry.
The government is working to revamp programmes that focus on capacity building for veterinarians such as Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
There is increased focus on vaccination against livestock diseases and backyard poultry.
DAHD has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the National Action Plan for Eliminating Dog Mediated Rabies.
#World_Zoonoses_Day-6th july
According to a report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), about 60% of known infectious diseases in humans and 75% of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic.
#Pre_Revision
#Familial_forestry
Familial Forestry means transferring the care of trees and environment in the family so that a tree becomes a part of the family’s consciousness.
#Shyam_Sundar_Jyani, a Rajasthan-based climate activist, has won the prestigious United Nations' Land for Life Award for his environment conservation concept, Familial Forestry.
#Land_for_Life_Award
Launched at the UNCCD COP-10 in 2011.
It is considered as the world’s highest reward regarding land conservation and restoration.
It is organised by UNCCD every two years.
This year’s theme was “Healthy Land, Healthy Lives”
#SDG_15: "Life on Land",
#Target_15.3 Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
Revise- #United_Nations_Convention_to_Combat_Desertification
#Uighurs
The Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can be traced to Central and East Asia.
The Uighurs speak their own language, similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.
China recognises the community only as a regional minority and rejects that they are an indigenous group.
Currently, the largest population of the Uighur ethnic community lives in the Xinjiang region of China.
A significant population of Uighurs also lives in the neighbouring Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
#Xinjiang is technically an autonomous region within China — its largest region, rich in minerals, and sharing borders with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and Afghanistan
#Suicide_worldwide in 2019 report-- released by #WHO.
Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behaviour with intent to die as a result of the behavior.
The global age-standardized suicide rate was 9.0 per 1,00,000 population for 2019.
India has the highest suicide rate in the Southeast Asian region.
SDG target- Reducing the global suicide mortality rate by a third
#Pre_Revision
Familial Forestry means transferring the care of trees and environment in the family so that a tree becomes a part of the family’s consciousness.
#Shyam_Sundar_Jyani, a Rajasthan-based climate activist, has won the prestigious United Nations' Land for Life Award for his environment conservation concept, Familial Forestry.
#Land_for_Life_Award
Launched at the UNCCD COP-10 in 2011.
It is considered as the world’s highest reward regarding land conservation and restoration.
It is organised by UNCCD every two years.
This year’s theme was “Healthy Land, Healthy Lives”
#SDG_15: "Life on Land",
#Target_15.3 Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
Revise- #United_Nations_Convention_to_Combat_Desertification
#Uighurs
The Uighurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group, whose origins can be traced to Central and East Asia.
The Uighurs speak their own language, similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations.
China recognises the community only as a regional minority and rejects that they are an indigenous group.
Currently, the largest population of the Uighur ethnic community lives in the Xinjiang region of China.
A significant population of Uighurs also lives in the neighbouring Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan
#Xinjiang is technically an autonomous region within China — its largest region, rich in minerals, and sharing borders with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and Afghanistan
#Suicide_worldwide in 2019 report-- released by #WHO.
Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behaviour with intent to die as a result of the behavior.
The global age-standardized suicide rate was 9.0 per 1,00,000 population for 2019.
India has the highest suicide rate in the Southeast Asian region.
SDG target- Reducing the global suicide mortality rate by a third
#Pre_Revision
#Edge_Computing
Edge computing is defined as the deployment of data-handling activities or other network operations away from centralized and always-connected network segments (like Dropbox, Gmail, etc.) and toward individual sources of data capture, such as endpoints like laptops, tablets.
It is an extension of cloud computing, and differs in terms of time taken in processing the information. The data is analysed locally, closer to where it is stored, in real-time without latency
It saves bandwidth
#Cloud_Computing
It is the delivery of different services through the Internet. These resources include tools and applications like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software.
Rather than keeping files on a proprietary hard drive or local storage device, cloud-based storage makes it possible to save them to a remote database. As long as an electronic device has access to the web, it has access to the data and the software programs to run it.
It is a popular option for people and businesses for a number of reasons including cost savings, increased productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security.
#Pygmy_Hog
The world’s rarest and smallest wild pigs
Scientific Name: Porcula Salvania
It is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
It is also an indicator species. Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region
It thrives in wet grassland.
Once found along a narrow strip of tall and wet grassland plains on the Himalayan foothills – from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, through Nepal’s terai areas and Bengal’s duars. Today found mainly in a small population in Assam
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
#Pre_Revision
Edge computing is defined as the deployment of data-handling activities or other network operations away from centralized and always-connected network segments (like Dropbox, Gmail, etc.) and toward individual sources of data capture, such as endpoints like laptops, tablets.
It is an extension of cloud computing, and differs in terms of time taken in processing the information. The data is analysed locally, closer to where it is stored, in real-time without latency
It saves bandwidth
#Cloud_Computing
It is the delivery of different services through the Internet. These resources include tools and applications like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software.
Rather than keeping files on a proprietary hard drive or local storage device, cloud-based storage makes it possible to save them to a remote database. As long as an electronic device has access to the web, it has access to the data and the software programs to run it.
It is a popular option for people and businesses for a number of reasons including cost savings, increased productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security.
#Pygmy_Hog
The world’s rarest and smallest wild pigs
Scientific Name: Porcula Salvania
It is one of the very few mammals that build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’.
It is also an indicator species. Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region
It thrives in wet grassland.
Once found along a narrow strip of tall and wet grassland plains on the Himalayan foothills – from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, through Nepal’s terai areas and Bengal’s duars. Today found mainly in a small population in Assam
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
#Pre_Revision