#IGBC_Green_Cities_rating_system is a voluntary and consensus based programme. It is the first of its kind rating in India to address environmental sustainability in existing cities.
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was formed in the year 2001.
KandlaSpecialEconomicZone (KASEZ), the oldest export zone in the country, has become the “first green industrial city” in India to receive a platinum rating under IGBC Green Cities Rating for existing cities in the industrial cities category.
The SEZ has increased its green cover and managed to grow 68 species of trees and attract 28 varieties of birds on a piece of land that was once a salt pan with almost no vegetation.
Most of these trees have been planted post 2019, using the Miyawaki forestation method.
#SEZ
An SEZ is a territory within a country that is typically duty-free (Fiscal Concession) and has different business and commercial laws chiefly to encourage investment and create employment.
SEZs are created also to better administer these areas, thereby increasing the ease of doing business.
Asia’s first EPZ (Export Processing Zones) was established in 1965 at Kandla, Gujarat.
While these EPZs had a similar structure to SEZs, the government began to establish SEZs in 2000 under the Foreign Trade Policy to redress the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges that were seen to have limited the success of EPZs.
The Special Economic Zones Act was passed in 2005. The Act came into force along with the SEZ Rules in 2006.
India’s SEZs were structured closely with China's successful model.
Presently, 379 SEZs are notified, out of which 265 are operational. About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states – Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Board of Approval is the apex body and is headed by the Secretary, Department of Commerce
The #Baba_Kalyani_committee was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to study the existing SEZ policy of India and had submitted its recommendations in November 2018.
It was set up with a broad objective to evaluate the SEZ policy towards making it WTO compatible and to bring in global best practices to maximise capacity utilisation and to maximise potential output of the SEZs.
#Miyawaki_Method
Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests in a short time.
It includes planting trees as close as possible in the same area which not only saves space, but the planted saplings also support each other in growth and block sunlight from reaching the ground, thereby preventing the growth of weed.
Thus the saplings become maintenance-free (self-sustainable) after the first three years.
It helps to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years while through conventional methods it takes anywhere between 200 to 300 years.
The technique
The native trees of the region are identified and divided into four layers — shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy.
The quality of soil is analysed and biomass which would help enhance the perforation capacity, water retention capacity, and nutrients in it, is mixed with it.
A mound is built with the soil and the seeds are planted at a very high density — three to five sapling per square meter.
The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch.
#Pre_Revision
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was formed in the year 2001.
KandlaSpecialEconomicZone (KASEZ), the oldest export zone in the country, has become the “first green industrial city” in India to receive a platinum rating under IGBC Green Cities Rating for existing cities in the industrial cities category.
The SEZ has increased its green cover and managed to grow 68 species of trees and attract 28 varieties of birds on a piece of land that was once a salt pan with almost no vegetation.
Most of these trees have been planted post 2019, using the Miyawaki forestation method.
#SEZ
An SEZ is a territory within a country that is typically duty-free (Fiscal Concession) and has different business and commercial laws chiefly to encourage investment and create employment.
SEZs are created also to better administer these areas, thereby increasing the ease of doing business.
Asia’s first EPZ (Export Processing Zones) was established in 1965 at Kandla, Gujarat.
While these EPZs had a similar structure to SEZs, the government began to establish SEZs in 2000 under the Foreign Trade Policy to redress the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges that were seen to have limited the success of EPZs.
The Special Economic Zones Act was passed in 2005. The Act came into force along with the SEZ Rules in 2006.
India’s SEZs were structured closely with China's successful model.
Presently, 379 SEZs are notified, out of which 265 are operational. About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states – Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Board of Approval is the apex body and is headed by the Secretary, Department of Commerce
The #Baba_Kalyani_committee was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to study the existing SEZ policy of India and had submitted its recommendations in November 2018.
It was set up with a broad objective to evaluate the SEZ policy towards making it WTO compatible and to bring in global best practices to maximise capacity utilisation and to maximise potential output of the SEZs.
#Miyawaki_Method
Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests in a short time.
It includes planting trees as close as possible in the same area which not only saves space, but the planted saplings also support each other in growth and block sunlight from reaching the ground, thereby preventing the growth of weed.
Thus the saplings become maintenance-free (self-sustainable) after the first three years.
It helps to create a forest in just 20 to 30 years while through conventional methods it takes anywhere between 200 to 300 years.
The technique
The native trees of the region are identified and divided into four layers — shrub, sub-tree, tree, and canopy.
The quality of soil is analysed and biomass which would help enhance the perforation capacity, water retention capacity, and nutrients in it, is mixed with it.
A mound is built with the soil and the seeds are planted at a very high density — three to five sapling per square meter.
The ground is covered with a thick layer of mulch.
#Pre_Revision
#Gross_Environment_Product (GEP)
Gross Environment Product (GEP) is an assessment system to measure the ecosystem services of any area.
It reflects the aggregated annual value of goods and services provided by ecosystems (forests, water bodies, oceans, etc.) to people in a given region, such as at district levels, state, and country.
It entails the establishment of a natural capital accounting framework by integrating ecological benefits into common measures of economic growth such as GDP.
It summarizes the value of ecosystem services in a single monetary metric.
Uttarakhand is the first State in India to introduce the GEP
#CBAM [carbon border adjustment mechanism]
It will impose a border fee on imports in carbon-intensive sectors from nations with lower environmental standards
Recently the European Commission’s Fit To 55 Package introduces this CBAM
#Green_Sohra_Afforestation_Campaign
Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign is a campaign of the Assam Rifles.
Under the campaign, the entire area of Cherrapunji is going to be adopted by Assam Rifles for plantation.
So when the trees are cut for fuel and other uses, 80% of the total land will be planted with traditional and long lifespan trees. The remaining 20% will be used for animal feed, ornamental plants, and nursery which will meet all the requirements and help reduce the feeling of long lifespan trees.
With this technique, multi-level farming is done, and the forest grows 30 times faster and after 3 years it becomes free of maintenance.
#Agar_wood
Scientific Name: Aquilaria malaccensis
IUCN--CE
CITES--Appendix II
It is native to North East India and the distribution ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas to Papua New Guinea.
It is a natural incense and a product of religious and cultural significance and is also known as the ‘Wood of the Gods’.
It is an economically important and fast-growing evergreen tree species.
It is the most expensive raw material in the world.
The fragrant Agarwood is formed due to complex biotic, abiotic and stress-induced resin on the Aquilaria trees.
In the formation of oils, the wood of the tree must first become infected with mold named Phialophora Parasitica.
Prior to the infection, the healthy wood was pale, odourless and relatively light in colour.
However, as the infection progresses, the tree starts producing a dark aromatic resin which is called aloes in response to the attack of the external forces, which results in a very dense, dark, resin-embedded wood.
This fragrant dark resinous wood, Agarwood is used in incense, perfume and small carvings.
It is said that the state capital of Tripura, Agartala has derived its name from Agarwood.
#Tripura_Agarwood_Policy 2021
To promote Agar tree, its plantation, sustainable harvesting and industry based on it and by ensuring Ease of Doing Business and by providing proper market linkages.
To double agarwood plantation by the year 2025.
The policy attempts to make Rs. 20 billion industry in the next 5 years
#Pre_Revision
Gross Environment Product (GEP) is an assessment system to measure the ecosystem services of any area.
It reflects the aggregated annual value of goods and services provided by ecosystems (forests, water bodies, oceans, etc.) to people in a given region, such as at district levels, state, and country.
It entails the establishment of a natural capital accounting framework by integrating ecological benefits into common measures of economic growth such as GDP.
It summarizes the value of ecosystem services in a single monetary metric.
Uttarakhand is the first State in India to introduce the GEP
#CBAM [carbon border adjustment mechanism]
It will impose a border fee on imports in carbon-intensive sectors from nations with lower environmental standards
Recently the European Commission’s Fit To 55 Package introduces this CBAM
#Green_Sohra_Afforestation_Campaign
Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign is a campaign of the Assam Rifles.
Under the campaign, the entire area of Cherrapunji is going to be adopted by Assam Rifles for plantation.
So when the trees are cut for fuel and other uses, 80% of the total land will be planted with traditional and long lifespan trees. The remaining 20% will be used for animal feed, ornamental plants, and nursery which will meet all the requirements and help reduce the feeling of long lifespan trees.
With this technique, multi-level farming is done, and the forest grows 30 times faster and after 3 years it becomes free of maintenance.
#Agar_wood
Scientific Name: Aquilaria malaccensis
IUCN--CE
CITES--Appendix II
It is native to North East India and the distribution ranges from the foothills of the Himalayas to Papua New Guinea.
It is a natural incense and a product of religious and cultural significance and is also known as the ‘Wood of the Gods’.
It is an economically important and fast-growing evergreen tree species.
It is the most expensive raw material in the world.
The fragrant Agarwood is formed due to complex biotic, abiotic and stress-induced resin on the Aquilaria trees.
In the formation of oils, the wood of the tree must first become infected with mold named Phialophora Parasitica.
Prior to the infection, the healthy wood was pale, odourless and relatively light in colour.
However, as the infection progresses, the tree starts producing a dark aromatic resin which is called aloes in response to the attack of the external forces, which results in a very dense, dark, resin-embedded wood.
This fragrant dark resinous wood, Agarwood is used in incense, perfume and small carvings.
It is said that the state capital of Tripura, Agartala has derived its name from Agarwood.
#Tripura_Agarwood_Policy 2021
To promote Agar tree, its plantation, sustainable harvesting and industry based on it and by ensuring Ease of Doing Business and by providing proper market linkages.
To double agarwood plantation by the year 2025.
The policy attempts to make Rs. 20 billion industry in the next 5 years
#Pre_Revision
#Raja_Mircha
Aka ‘Bhoot Jolokia’ or ‘Ghost pepper’, it is a famous chilli from Nagaland.(GI tag)
It has long been regarded as the world’s hottest chilli, consistently ranking in the top five on lists of the hottest chillies in the world based on Scoville Heat Units (SHUs).
It is highly perishable nature.
Nagaland King Chilli belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae.
#Agricultural_and_Processed_Food_Products_Export_Development_Authority
Founded in: 1986
Headquarters: New Delhi
It is an apex-Export Trade Promotion Active body, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
It also supports exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI), etc
#SLDE_platform(Secured Logistics Document Exchange)
It is a solution to replace the present manual process of generation, exchange and compliance of logistics documents with a digitized, secure and seamless document exchange system.
This will enable generation, storage and interchange of logistics-related documents digitally using Aadhaar and blockchain-based security protocols for data security and authentication.
It will also provide a complete audit trail of document transfer, faster execution of transaction, lower cost of shipping and overall carbon footprint, easy verification of authenticity of documents, lowered risk of fraud, etc.
#Green_House_Gas_Emission_calculator
It is an efficient, user-friendly tool and provides for calculating and comparing GHG emissions across different modes.
It allows for commodity-wise comparison of GHG emissions and total cost of transportation, including their environmental cost, between movement by road and rail.
The tool is intended to facilitate appropriate modal choice for all concerned.
The #Logistics_Performance_Index (LPI), developed by the World Bank Group, is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance.
#Sambandar
Dancing child-saint Sambandar of 12th century belongs to Chola dynasty.
Sambandar was one of the nayanmars, a group of sixty-three saints active in South India from the sixth to the ninth century who were instrumental in popularizing the worship of Shiva through devotional poetry and song.
#Anthraquinone
It is ubiquitous in the environment, it has been naturally detected in the air, water, soil, plants, fish / seafood and animal tissue
Anthraquinone is used in the manufacture of dyes, in the textile and pulp industries, and as a bird repellant.
India has raised concerns at a WTO meeting regarding European Union's decision to classify anthraquinone as a pesticide (found in tea) and labelling it as a non-tariff barrier
#Azithromycin
Azithromycin is a generic prescription medication use to treat bacterial Infections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and children.
It had shown to reduce exacerbations in chronic airway diseases, it was widely prescribed for Covid-19 initially, including in India.
A new study has shown that azithromycin does not have a role in the treatment of Covid-19; it only has a placebo effect.
India has taken it out of national state guidelines for treatment of Covid-19.
#Hydroxy_chloroquine
Hydroxy-chloroquine is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Autoimmune diseases are in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
#Pre_Revision
Aka ‘Bhoot Jolokia’ or ‘Ghost pepper’, it is a famous chilli from Nagaland.(GI tag)
It has long been regarded as the world’s hottest chilli, consistently ranking in the top five on lists of the hottest chillies in the world based on Scoville Heat Units (SHUs).
It is highly perishable nature.
Nagaland King Chilli belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae.
#Agricultural_and_Processed_Food_Products_Export_Development_Authority
Founded in: 1986
Headquarters: New Delhi
It is an apex-Export Trade Promotion Active body, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
It also supports exports through various schemes like Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiative (MAI), etc
#SLDE_platform(Secured Logistics Document Exchange)
It is a solution to replace the present manual process of generation, exchange and compliance of logistics documents with a digitized, secure and seamless document exchange system.
This will enable generation, storage and interchange of logistics-related documents digitally using Aadhaar and blockchain-based security protocols for data security and authentication.
It will also provide a complete audit trail of document transfer, faster execution of transaction, lower cost of shipping and overall carbon footprint, easy verification of authenticity of documents, lowered risk of fraud, etc.
#Green_House_Gas_Emission_calculator
It is an efficient, user-friendly tool and provides for calculating and comparing GHG emissions across different modes.
It allows for commodity-wise comparison of GHG emissions and total cost of transportation, including their environmental cost, between movement by road and rail.
The tool is intended to facilitate appropriate modal choice for all concerned.
The #Logistics_Performance_Index (LPI), developed by the World Bank Group, is an interactive benchmarking tool created to help countries identify the challenges and opportunities they face in their performance on trade logistics and what they can do to improve their performance.
#Sambandar
Dancing child-saint Sambandar of 12th century belongs to Chola dynasty.
Sambandar was one of the nayanmars, a group of sixty-three saints active in South India from the sixth to the ninth century who were instrumental in popularizing the worship of Shiva through devotional poetry and song.
#Anthraquinone
It is ubiquitous in the environment, it has been naturally detected in the air, water, soil, plants, fish / seafood and animal tissue
Anthraquinone is used in the manufacture of dyes, in the textile and pulp industries, and as a bird repellant.
India has raised concerns at a WTO meeting regarding European Union's decision to classify anthraquinone as a pesticide (found in tea) and labelling it as a non-tariff barrier
#Azithromycin
Azithromycin is a generic prescription medication use to treat bacterial Infections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain bacterial infections in adults and children.
It had shown to reduce exacerbations in chronic airway diseases, it was widely prescribed for Covid-19 initially, including in India.
A new study has shown that azithromycin does not have a role in the treatment of Covid-19; it only has a placebo effect.
India has taken it out of national state guidelines for treatment of Covid-19.
#Hydroxy_chloroquine
Hydroxy-chloroquine is an oral drug used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Autoimmune diseases are in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints, including those in the hands and feet.
#Pre_Revision
#Marine_Aids_to_Navigation_Bill_2021
The bill will repeal the Lighthouse Act, 1927
The Bill applies to the whole of India including various maritime zones including territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone.
It defines aid to navigation as a device, system or service, external to vessels, designed and operated to enhance safe and efficient navigation of individual vessels and vessel traffic
The Bill provides that the Central government shall appoint a Director General, who will inter alia advise the central government on matters related to aids to navigation.
The Bill empowers the Central Government to designate any aid to navigation under its control as a "heritage lighthouse".
In addition to their function as aids to navigation, such lighthouses will be developed for educational, cultural, and tourism purposes.
It comprises a new schedule of offences, along with commensurate penalties for obstructing and damaging the aids to navigation, and non-compliance with directives issued by the Central Government and other bodies.
#Khagolshala_Asteroid_Search_Campaign (KASC)
It is the India chapter of an international student research program that has got students involved in the search for asteroids.
The aim of this campaign is to train students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas to detect asteroids.
It is an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India,and SPACE Foundation.
High-quality astronomical data sets are distributed to students for analysis and identification of asteroids.
Students analyze the data using software which then leads to potential discoveries.
#SPACE_Foundation
It was established in 2001, to popularize science and inculcate scientific temperament among the masses especially students in India.
SPACE is working to create citizen scientists through various programs on science and astronomy education, and innovation in India.
These programs have the larger goal of fostering scientific temperament in society, especially among the youth.
#PANSTARRS_telescope
Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) is a telescope located in Hawaii, US.
It is surveying the sky for moving or variable objects on a continual basis. It is also producing accurate astrometry and photometry of already-detected objects
#Amagarh_Fort
According to a few historians, the present form of the Amagarh Fort was given in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur.
However, it has always been believed that there was some construction at the place before the construction of the fort.
Another set of scholars highlight that the fort was built by a Meena Sardar from the Nadla gotra, now known as Badgoti Meenas.
Sardars from the Meena community ruled large parts of Rajasthan till around 1100 AD.
Prior to Rajput rule by the Kachhwaha dynasty, Jaipur and its nearby regions were ruled and politically controlled by Meenas.
There is a need for detailed documentation of the history of the Meena community, which is largely oral as of now.
#Pre_Revision
The bill will repeal the Lighthouse Act, 1927
The Bill applies to the whole of India including various maritime zones including territorial waters, continental shelf, and exclusive economic zone.
It defines aid to navigation as a device, system or service, external to vessels, designed and operated to enhance safe and efficient navigation of individual vessels and vessel traffic
The Bill provides that the Central government shall appoint a Director General, who will inter alia advise the central government on matters related to aids to navigation.
The Bill empowers the Central Government to designate any aid to navigation under its control as a "heritage lighthouse".
In addition to their function as aids to navigation, such lighthouses will be developed for educational, cultural, and tourism purposes.
It comprises a new schedule of offences, along with commensurate penalties for obstructing and damaging the aids to navigation, and non-compliance with directives issued by the Central Government and other bodies.
#Khagolshala_Asteroid_Search_Campaign (KASC)
It is the India chapter of an international student research program that has got students involved in the search for asteroids.
The aim of this campaign is to train students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas to detect asteroids.
It is an initiative of the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India,and SPACE Foundation.
High-quality astronomical data sets are distributed to students for analysis and identification of asteroids.
Students analyze the data using software which then leads to potential discoveries.
#SPACE_Foundation
It was established in 2001, to popularize science and inculcate scientific temperament among the masses especially students in India.
SPACE is working to create citizen scientists through various programs on science and astronomy education, and innovation in India.
These programs have the larger goal of fostering scientific temperament in society, especially among the youth.
#PANSTARRS_telescope
Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) is a telescope located in Hawaii, US.
It is surveying the sky for moving or variable objects on a continual basis. It is also producing accurate astrometry and photometry of already-detected objects
#Amagarh_Fort
According to a few historians, the present form of the Amagarh Fort was given in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur.
However, it has always been believed that there was some construction at the place before the construction of the fort.
Another set of scholars highlight that the fort was built by a Meena Sardar from the Nadla gotra, now known as Badgoti Meenas.
Sardars from the Meena community ruled large parts of Rajasthan till around 1100 AD.
Prior to Rajput rule by the Kachhwaha dynasty, Jaipur and its nearby regions were ruled and politically controlled by Meenas.
There is a need for detailed documentation of the history of the Meena community, which is largely oral as of now.
#Pre_Revision
#Emigration_Bill 2021
The Bill intends to replace the Emigration Act of 1983.
The bill proposes a three-tier institutional framework:
It launches a new emigration policy division in (MEA) which will be referred to as the Central Emigration Management Authority.
It proposes a Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning, and a Bureau of Emigration Administration shall handle day-to-day operational matters and oversee the welfare of emigrants.
It proposes nodal agencies under a Chief Emigration Officer to ensure the welfare and protection of the emigrants.
It permits government authorities to punish workers by cancelling or suspending their passports and imposing fines up to Rs 50,000 for violating any of the Bill’s provisions.
When enforced, it can be used as a tool to crackdown on workers who migrate through unregistered brokers or via irregular arrangements such as on tourist visas.
#Monkey_Pox
It was first reported in 1958, in monkeys in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in humans in 1970, also in the DRC.
In 2017, Nigeria experienced the largest documented outbreak, 40 years after the last confirmed case.
The natural host of the virus remains undefined. But the disease has been reported in many animals.
Infected people break out in a rash that looks a lot like chicken pox.
But the fever, malaise, and headache from Monkeypox are usually more severe than in chicken pox infection.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.
In the past, the anti-smallpox vaccine was shown to be 85% effective in preventing Monkeypox.
#Earth_Overshoot_Day 2021
Each year, Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when we have used all the biological resources that the Earth can renew during the entire year.
This means humanity has again used up all biological resources that our planet regenerates during the entire year by 29th July, 2021.
The concept of Earth Overshoot Day was first conceived by Andrew Simms of the UK think tank New Economics Foundation, which partnered with Global Footprint Network in 2006 to launch the first global Earth Overshoot Day campaign.
Global Footprint Network is an international non profit organization founded in the year 2003. It’s key strategy has been to make available robust Ecological Footprint data.
We’ve already seen a 6.6% increase in our global carbon footprint, while our global forest biocapacity decreased by 0.5% due to widespread deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
Deforestation had also increased by 12% in 2020, and estimates for 2021 suggest the figure will reach a 43% year-on-year increase.
Humanity currently uses 74% more than what the planet’s ecosystems can regenerate — or 1.7 Earths.
#EOS_03
It is an earth observation satellite.
Last year, ISRO launched EOS-01 which is nothing but another Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) that will work together with RISAT-2B and RISAT-2BR1.
Applications:
It would enable near real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones.
It is capable of imaging the whole country four-five times daily.
It would also enable monitoring of water bodies, crops, vegetation condition, forest cover changes.
Advantages of radar imaging over optical instruments:
Radar imaging is unaffected by weather, cloud or fog, or the lack of sunlight. It can produce high-quality images in all conditions and at all times.
#Pre_Revision
The Bill intends to replace the Emigration Act of 1983.
The bill proposes a three-tier institutional framework:
It launches a new emigration policy division in (MEA) which will be referred to as the Central Emigration Management Authority.
It proposes a Bureau of Emigration Policy and Planning, and a Bureau of Emigration Administration shall handle day-to-day operational matters and oversee the welfare of emigrants.
It proposes nodal agencies under a Chief Emigration Officer to ensure the welfare and protection of the emigrants.
It permits government authorities to punish workers by cancelling or suspending their passports and imposing fines up to Rs 50,000 for violating any of the Bill’s provisions.
When enforced, it can be used as a tool to crackdown on workers who migrate through unregistered brokers or via irregular arrangements such as on tourist visas.
#Monkey_Pox
It was first reported in 1958, in monkeys in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in humans in 1970, also in the DRC.
In 2017, Nigeria experienced the largest documented outbreak, 40 years after the last confirmed case.
The natural host of the virus remains undefined. But the disease has been reported in many animals.
Infected people break out in a rash that looks a lot like chicken pox.
But the fever, malaise, and headache from Monkeypox are usually more severe than in chicken pox infection.
There is no specific treatment or vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.
In the past, the anti-smallpox vaccine was shown to be 85% effective in preventing Monkeypox.
#Earth_Overshoot_Day 2021
Each year, Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when we have used all the biological resources that the Earth can renew during the entire year.
This means humanity has again used up all biological resources that our planet regenerates during the entire year by 29th July, 2021.
The concept of Earth Overshoot Day was first conceived by Andrew Simms of the UK think tank New Economics Foundation, which partnered with Global Footprint Network in 2006 to launch the first global Earth Overshoot Day campaign.
Global Footprint Network is an international non profit organization founded in the year 2003. It’s key strategy has been to make available robust Ecological Footprint data.
We’ve already seen a 6.6% increase in our global carbon footprint, while our global forest biocapacity decreased by 0.5% due to widespread deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.
Deforestation had also increased by 12% in 2020, and estimates for 2021 suggest the figure will reach a 43% year-on-year increase.
Humanity currently uses 74% more than what the planet’s ecosystems can regenerate — or 1.7 Earths.
#EOS_03
It is an earth observation satellite.
Last year, ISRO launched EOS-01 which is nothing but another Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) that will work together with RISAT-2B and RISAT-2BR1.
Applications:
It would enable near real-time monitoring of natural disasters like floods and cyclones.
It is capable of imaging the whole country four-five times daily.
It would also enable monitoring of water bodies, crops, vegetation condition, forest cover changes.
Advantages of radar imaging over optical instruments:
Radar imaging is unaffected by weather, cloud or fog, or the lack of sunlight. It can produce high-quality images in all conditions and at all times.
#Pre_Revision
#Gharib_Nawaz_Employment_Scheme
It was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2017.
Maulana Azad Education Foundation, an autonomous body under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs, implements the Scheme.
The main aim of this scheme is to provide short term job oriented skill development courses to minorities’ youth in order to enable them for skill based employment.
This scheme is implemented as per common norms of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) through the empanelled Program Implementation Agencies (PIAs).
The PIA is mandated to place minimum 70% trainees out of total trained trainees.
The monthly stipend for maximum of three months and post placement support for maximum of two months after getting employment are also being paid to the beneficiaries directly into their account.
#Nai_Udaan_Scheme
The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial support to minority students for preparation of Main Examination, who clear Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, State Public Service Commission etc.
#Nai_Roshni
It is a scheme for leadership development among Minority Women, to empower and instill confidence among minority women by providing knowledge, tools, and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels
#Nai_Manzil
It aims to engage constructively with Poor Minority youth and help them obtain sustainable and gainful employment opportunities that can facilitate them to be integrated with mainstream economic activities.
Integrated Skill Training is being provided to the youth in market driven skills.
The other objectives include, raise awareness and sensitization in health and life skills, Mobilize school drop-out minority youths with formal education and certification upto level 8th or 10th through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other State open schooling systems.
#Pradhan_Mantri_Jan_Vikas_Karyakram
Keeping in mind the educational empowerment & employment oriented skill development of Minority communities, the Govt restructured Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) as PMJVK
The programme aims to develop socio-economic & basic amenities assets like school, college, polytechnic, girls hostel, ITI, skill development centre etc
80% of the resources have been earmarked for projects related to education, health & skill development
About 33-40% of resources have been allocated for women-centric projects
Cluster of Villages having at least 25% population of Minority Community was taken
#Hunar_Haat
Launched to provide market & employment opportunities to master artisans, craftsmen & traditional culinary experts
It is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products
#USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development,2015)
It aims to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities.
The scheme aims at capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen/artisans; documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities; set standards for traditional skills; training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen; and develop national & international market linkages
#Begum_Hazrat_Mahal_Girls_Scholarships
Scholarships for economically backward girls belonging to the Minority communities
#Seekho_aur_Kamao
This is a placement linked skill development scheme for minorities aiming to upgrade the skills of minority youth in various modern/traditional skills depending upon their qualification, present economic trends and market potential, which can earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to go for self-employment.
It is a skill development scheme for youth of 14-35 years age group & aiming at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.
#Pre_Revision
It was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2017.
Maulana Azad Education Foundation, an autonomous body under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs, implements the Scheme.
The main aim of this scheme is to provide short term job oriented skill development courses to minorities’ youth in order to enable them for skill based employment.
This scheme is implemented as per common norms of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) through the empanelled Program Implementation Agencies (PIAs).
The PIA is mandated to place minimum 70% trainees out of total trained trainees.
The monthly stipend for maximum of three months and post placement support for maximum of two months after getting employment are also being paid to the beneficiaries directly into their account.
#Nai_Udaan_Scheme
The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial support to minority students for preparation of Main Examination, who clear Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, State Public Service Commission etc.
#Nai_Roshni
It is a scheme for leadership development among Minority Women, to empower and instill confidence among minority women by providing knowledge, tools, and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels
#Nai_Manzil
It aims to engage constructively with Poor Minority youth and help them obtain sustainable and gainful employment opportunities that can facilitate them to be integrated with mainstream economic activities.
Integrated Skill Training is being provided to the youth in market driven skills.
The other objectives include, raise awareness and sensitization in health and life skills, Mobilize school drop-out minority youths with formal education and certification upto level 8th or 10th through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other State open schooling systems.
#Pradhan_Mantri_Jan_Vikas_Karyakram
Keeping in mind the educational empowerment & employment oriented skill development of Minority communities, the Govt restructured Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) as PMJVK
The programme aims to develop socio-economic & basic amenities assets like school, college, polytechnic, girls hostel, ITI, skill development centre etc
80% of the resources have been earmarked for projects related to education, health & skill development
About 33-40% of resources have been allocated for women-centric projects
Cluster of Villages having at least 25% population of Minority Community was taken
#Hunar_Haat
Launched to provide market & employment opportunities to master artisans, craftsmen & traditional culinary experts
It is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products
#USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development,2015)
It aims to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities.
The scheme aims at capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen/artisans; documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities; set standards for traditional skills; training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen; and develop national & international market linkages
#Begum_Hazrat_Mahal_Girls_Scholarships
Scholarships for economically backward girls belonging to the Minority communities
#Seekho_aur_Kamao
This is a placement linked skill development scheme for minorities aiming to upgrade the skills of minority youth in various modern/traditional skills depending upon their qualification, present economic trends and market potential, which can earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to go for self-employment.
It is a skill development scheme for youth of 14-35 years age group & aiming at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.
#Pre_Revision
#Airports_Economic_Regulatory_Authority_of_India_Amendment_Bill_2021
It seeks to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008
It established the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). AERA regulates tariffs and other charges (such as airport development fees) for aeronautical services rendered at major airports in India.
The 2008 Act designates an airport as a major airport if it has annual passenger traffic of at least 35 lakh. As per the Bill, the central government may also designate any airport as a major airport by a notification.
It will allow AERA to regulate tariff and other charges for aeronautical services for not just major airports with annual passenger traffic of more than 35 lakh, but also a group of airports.
Profitable Clubbing: The government will be able to club profitable and non-profitable airports as a combination/package to bidders to make it a viable combination for investment under PPP mode.
#Kuthiran_Tunnel
It is Twin-tube tunnel at Kuthiran in Thrissur District of Kerala state in India.
It is located on National Highway 544,It will drastically improve connectivity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
It is Kerala’s first-ever tunnel for road transport and South India’s Longest 6-lane road tunnel.
The 1.6 km long tunnel is designed through Peechi- Vazahani wildlife sanctuary.
The road will improve connectivity to important ports and towns in North – South Corridor without endangering wildlife.
Kuthiran gradient is situated in the Kuthiran Hills, located in the western part of Anaimalai Hills
#North_Eastern_Space_Application_Centre (NESAC)
Established in 2005, it is a joint initiative of the Department of Space (DoS) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
It is located in Shillong.
It helps in augmenting the developmental process in the region by providing advanced space technology support.
#Eutelsat_Quantum_Satellite
This is the world's first commercial fully reprogrammable satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) from French Guiana.
Eutelsat Quantum, developed under an ESA partnership project with satellite operator Eutelsat and prime manufacturer Airbus, is the world’s first commercial fully flexible software-defined satellite.
Eutelsat Quantum weighs 3.5 tonnes and consists of eight communication beams. Each of the beams can be modified to make changes to the coverage area and its telecommunications signal.
Benefits - As the changes can be done in minutes, this satellite can be used in providing mobile coverage in moving objects successfully.
Satellite can detect and characterise any rogue emission, enabling it to respond dynamically to accidental interference or intentional jamming.
The Eutelsat Quantum will be covering the geographical area from West Africa to Asia in a 15 years period of time.
Reprogrammable Satellite
These satellites allow the user to change the communications as per need, in real time.
Even while orbiting in a fixed position at 35,000 kms above Earth, the satellite can be reprogrammed.
Because it can be reprogrammed in orbit, it can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications during its 15-year lifetime.
#Galileo_Project
Researchers from Harvard University are using artificial intelligence (AI) to search for extra-terrestrial civilisations.
The project named Galileo Project will use extensive AI object recognition and algorithmic approaches to search for terrestrial objects or satellites.
The team will use a network of mid-sized, high-resolution telescopes and detector arrays with suitable cameras and computer systems as part of their research to find alien civilisations
#Pre_Revision
It seeks to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008
It established the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). AERA regulates tariffs and other charges (such as airport development fees) for aeronautical services rendered at major airports in India.
The 2008 Act designates an airport as a major airport if it has annual passenger traffic of at least 35 lakh. As per the Bill, the central government may also designate any airport as a major airport by a notification.
It will allow AERA to regulate tariff and other charges for aeronautical services for not just major airports with annual passenger traffic of more than 35 lakh, but also a group of airports.
Profitable Clubbing: The government will be able to club profitable and non-profitable airports as a combination/package to bidders to make it a viable combination for investment under PPP mode.
#Kuthiran_Tunnel
It is Twin-tube tunnel at Kuthiran in Thrissur District of Kerala state in India.
It is located on National Highway 544,It will drastically improve connectivity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
It is Kerala’s first-ever tunnel for road transport and South India’s Longest 6-lane road tunnel.
The 1.6 km long tunnel is designed through Peechi- Vazahani wildlife sanctuary.
The road will improve connectivity to important ports and towns in North – South Corridor without endangering wildlife.
Kuthiran gradient is situated in the Kuthiran Hills, located in the western part of Anaimalai Hills
#North_Eastern_Space_Application_Centre (NESAC)
Established in 2005, it is a joint initiative of the Department of Space (DoS) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
It is located in Shillong.
It helps in augmenting the developmental process in the region by providing advanced space technology support.
#Eutelsat_Quantum_Satellite
This is the world's first commercial fully reprogrammable satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) from French Guiana.
Eutelsat Quantum, developed under an ESA partnership project with satellite operator Eutelsat and prime manufacturer Airbus, is the world’s first commercial fully flexible software-defined satellite.
Eutelsat Quantum weighs 3.5 tonnes and consists of eight communication beams. Each of the beams can be modified to make changes to the coverage area and its telecommunications signal.
Benefits - As the changes can be done in minutes, this satellite can be used in providing mobile coverage in moving objects successfully.
Satellite can detect and characterise any rogue emission, enabling it to respond dynamically to accidental interference or intentional jamming.
The Eutelsat Quantum will be covering the geographical area from West Africa to Asia in a 15 years period of time.
Reprogrammable Satellite
These satellites allow the user to change the communications as per need, in real time.
Even while orbiting in a fixed position at 35,000 kms above Earth, the satellite can be reprogrammed.
Because it can be reprogrammed in orbit, it can respond to changing demands for data transmission and secure communications during its 15-year lifetime.
#Galileo_Project
Researchers from Harvard University are using artificial intelligence (AI) to search for extra-terrestrial civilisations.
The project named Galileo Project will use extensive AI object recognition and algorithmic approaches to search for terrestrial objects or satellites.
The team will use a network of mid-sized, high-resolution telescopes and detector arrays with suitable cameras and computer systems as part of their research to find alien civilisations
#Pre_Revision
#I_MESA_Scheme
Social audit is an audit of a scheme jointly by the Government and the people, especially by those who are affected by the scheme or its beneficiaries.
Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA) in FY 2021-22 is launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The social audits will be done through Social Audit Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
#Scheme_for_Promotion_of_Culture_of_Science (SPoCS)
The Ministry of Culture operates SPOCS
The Scheme provides for setting up of Science Cities and Science Centres in all the States of the country subject to availability of funds for the purpose.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Culture is the implementing agency
States willing to avail of this Scheme have to provide land and share the cost of setting up of facility and corpus for upkeep and maintenance.
Funds will be provided as per the three categories:
Type A: Full funding from MoC. Science City is not to be set up under Type ‘A’.
Type B: Funding to be shared between MoC and State Govt./UTs the capital cost for Science City will be shared on a 60:40 basis.
Type C: Full funding from the State Govt./UTs.
#PM_CARES_for_Children_Scheme
It aims to support children who have lost both the Parents or legal Guardian or Adoptive Parents or Surviving Parent to COVID-19 pandemic during the period starting from 11th March 2020.
The objective of the Scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of Children in a sustained manner, and enable their wellbeing through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age.
PM CARES will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child when s/he reaches 18 years of age.
This corpus will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend from 18 years of age, for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education.
On reaching the age of 23 years, s/he will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.
Child under 10 years will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
Child between 11-18 years will be admitted in any Central Government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya etc.
The child will be assisted in obtaining education loan for Professional courses / Higher Education in India as per the existing Education Loan norms.
The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM CARES.
All children will be a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs.
The premium amount for these children till the age of 18 years will be paid by PM CARES.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development shall be the nodal Ministry for execution of the scheme at the central level.
Department of the State/UT government dealing with the Juvenile Justice set up in the State shall be the nodal agency at State level. The District Magistrates shall be the nodal authority at District level for execution of the scheme.
#Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as ‘Indian winter cherry’.
It is a traditional Indian herb that boosts energy, reduces stress and makes the immune system stronger.
It is classified as an adaptogen, which means that it can help the body to manage stress.
Ashwagandha is widely grown in dry parts of subtropical regions. Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are major ashwagandha growing states in India.
Being a hardy and drought-tolerant crop, ashwagandha requires a relatively dry season throughout its growing period. Areas with 60-75 cm rainfall are suitable for its cultivation.
Temperature between 20°C to 35°C is most suitable.
Social audit is an audit of a scheme jointly by the Government and the people, especially by those who are affected by the scheme or its beneficiaries.
Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit (I-MESA) in FY 2021-22 is launched by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The social audits will be done through Social Audit Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
#Scheme_for_Promotion_of_Culture_of_Science (SPoCS)
The Ministry of Culture operates SPOCS
The Scheme provides for setting up of Science Cities and Science Centres in all the States of the country subject to availability of funds for the purpose.
National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Culture is the implementing agency
States willing to avail of this Scheme have to provide land and share the cost of setting up of facility and corpus for upkeep and maintenance.
Funds will be provided as per the three categories:
Type A: Full funding from MoC. Science City is not to be set up under Type ‘A’.
Type B: Funding to be shared between MoC and State Govt./UTs the capital cost for Science City will be shared on a 60:40 basis.
Type C: Full funding from the State Govt./UTs.
#PM_CARES_for_Children_Scheme
It aims to support children who have lost both the Parents or legal Guardian or Adoptive Parents or Surviving Parent to COVID-19 pandemic during the period starting from 11th March 2020.
The objective of the Scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection of Children in a sustained manner, and enable their wellbeing through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age.
PM CARES will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child when s/he reaches 18 years of age.
This corpus will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend from 18 years of age, for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education.
On reaching the age of 23 years, s/he will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.
Child under 10 years will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
Child between 11-18 years will be admitted in any Central Government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya etc.
The child will be assisted in obtaining education loan for Professional courses / Higher Education in India as per the existing Education Loan norms.
The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM CARES.
All children will be a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs.
The premium amount for these children till the age of 18 years will be paid by PM CARES.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development shall be the nodal Ministry for execution of the scheme at the central level.
Department of the State/UT government dealing with the Juvenile Justice set up in the State shall be the nodal agency at State level. The District Magistrates shall be the nodal authority at District level for execution of the scheme.
#Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as ‘Indian winter cherry’.
It is a traditional Indian herb that boosts energy, reduces stress and makes the immune system stronger.
It is classified as an adaptogen, which means that it can help the body to manage stress.
Ashwagandha is widely grown in dry parts of subtropical regions. Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are major ashwagandha growing states in India.
Being a hardy and drought-tolerant crop, ashwagandha requires a relatively dry season throughout its growing period. Areas with 60-75 cm rainfall are suitable for its cultivation.
Temperature between 20°C to 35°C is most suitable.
It grows well in sandy loam or light red soils having pH 7.5-8.0. Black or heavy soils having good drainage are also suitable for ashwagandha cultivation.
#Pre_Revision
#Pre_Revision
#Pangolins
Commonly known as ‘scaly anteaters’, the toothless animals are unique, a result of millions of years of evolution
Pangolins evolved scales as a means of protection. When threatened by big carnivores like lions or tigers they usually curl into a ball.
The scales defend them against dental attacks from the predators.
Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back. A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.
Threats- Hunting and poaching for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein source and traditional medicine) and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.
IUCN Red List
Indian Pangolin: Endangered
Chinese Pangolin:CE
Both these species are listed under Schedule I, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
#Leopard
Scientific Name- Panthera pardus.
IUCN-Vulnerable
Schedule I of the WPA, 1972
Appendix I of CITES.
Found in all forest types, from tropical rainforests to temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests.
It is also found in dry scrubs and grasslands, the only exception being desert and the mangroves of Sundarbans.
They are distributed from Trans-Himalayas to Gangetic plains in around 17 states
India’s official leopard count has increased 63 per cent from 2014-2018. There were 12,852 in 2018 (7,910 in 2014)
The largest number have been estimated in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783)& Maharashtra (1,690)
As for region-wise distribution, the highest number of 8,071 leopards were found in central India and eastern ghats. In the northeast hills, there are just 141 leopards
The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.These are the smallest of the big cats known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats
Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skin of the animal is black in colour, including its spots.They are nocturnal animals which means they hunts by night.It feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range, such as the chital, hog deer & wild boar
#Snow_Leopard(Panthera uncia)
It act as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live(top predator)
Habitats
Mountainous regions of central and southern Asia
India
Western Himalayas: J&J, HP
Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh
Snow Leopard capital of the world: Hemis NP, Ladakh(the biggest national park in India)
Conservation Efforts
#HimalSanrakshak: It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards
#SECURE_Himalaya: GEF-UNDP funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem
Project Snow Leopard: It was launched in 2009
Snow Leopard is on the list of 21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme of the MoEF&CC
#Global_Snow_Leopard_and_Ecosystem_Protection Programme
It is a high-level inter-governmental alliance of all the 12 snow leopard range countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan
#Living_Himalaya_Network_Initiative
It is established as one of WWF’s global initiatives to bring about transformational conservation impact across the three Eastern Himalayan countries of Bhutan, India(NE)& Nepal
Objectives-adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat & saving iconic species
#Pre_Revision
Commonly known as ‘scaly anteaters’, the toothless animals are unique, a result of millions of years of evolution
Pangolins evolved scales as a means of protection. When threatened by big carnivores like lions or tigers they usually curl into a ball.
The scales defend them against dental attacks from the predators.
Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back. A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.
Threats- Hunting and poaching for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein source and traditional medicine) and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.
IUCN Red List
Indian Pangolin: Endangered
Chinese Pangolin:CE
Both these species are listed under Schedule I, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
#Leopard
Scientific Name- Panthera pardus.
IUCN-Vulnerable
Schedule I of the WPA, 1972
Appendix I of CITES.
Found in all forest types, from tropical rainforests to temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests.
It is also found in dry scrubs and grasslands, the only exception being desert and the mangroves of Sundarbans.
They are distributed from Trans-Himalayas to Gangetic plains in around 17 states
India’s official leopard count has increased 63 per cent from 2014-2018. There were 12,852 in 2018 (7,910 in 2014)
The largest number have been estimated in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783)& Maharashtra (1,690)
As for region-wise distribution, the highest number of 8,071 leopards were found in central India and eastern ghats. In the northeast hills, there are just 141 leopards
The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.These are the smallest of the big cats known for its ability to adapt in a variety of habitats
Melanism is a common occurrence in leopards, wherein the entire skin of the animal is black in colour, including its spots.They are nocturnal animals which means they hunts by night.It feeds on smaller species of herbivores found in its range, such as the chital, hog deer & wild boar
#Snow_Leopard(Panthera uncia)
It act as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live(top predator)
Habitats
Mountainous regions of central and southern Asia
India
Western Himalayas: J&J, HP
Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand, Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh
Snow Leopard capital of the world: Hemis NP, Ladakh(the biggest national park in India)
Conservation Efforts
#HimalSanrakshak: It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards
#SECURE_Himalaya: GEF-UNDP funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem
Project Snow Leopard: It was launched in 2009
Snow Leopard is on the list of 21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme of the MoEF&CC
#Global_Snow_Leopard_and_Ecosystem_Protection Programme
It is a high-level inter-governmental alliance of all the 12 snow leopard range countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan
#Living_Himalaya_Network_Initiative
It is established as one of WWF’s global initiatives to bring about transformational conservation impact across the three Eastern Himalayan countries of Bhutan, India(NE)& Nepal
Objectives-adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat & saving iconic species
#Pre_Revision
#Circumplanetary_Disc
Around the planets, they are the reservoirs of material out of which moons (or exomoons or subsatellites) may form.
Such a disk can manifest itself in various ways.
Recently, scientists for the 1st time have spotted a Moon-Forming Region around a planet beyond our solar system
Scientists detected a disc of swirling material accumulating around two exoplanets seen orbiting a young star called PDS 70
The disc around PDS 70c (Exoplanet),with a diameter about equal to the distance of the Earth to the sun, possesses enough mass to produce up to 3 moons the size of Earth's moon
Other Moon Forming Regions
No circumplanetary discs had been found until now because all the known exoplanets resided in “mature”–fully developed–solar systems, except the two infant gas planets orbiting PDS 70
In solar system,the rings of Saturn represent a relic of a primordial moon-forming disc
Planet & Moon Formation
Stars burst to life within clouds of interstellar gas & dust scattered throughout galaxies.Leftover material spinning around a new star then coalesces into planets & circumplanetary discs surrounding some planets similarly yield moons
The dominant mechanism thought to underpin planet formation is called core accretion
#Core_accretion occurs from the collision & coagulation of solid particles into gradually larger bodies until a massive enough planetary embryo is formed(10-20 Earth masses)to accrete a gaseous envelope
Here,small dust grains,coated in ice,gradually grow to larger & larger sizes through successive collisions with other grains
This continues until the grains have grown to a size of a planetary core, at which point the young planet has a strong enough gravitational potential to accrete gas which will form its atmosphere
Some nascent planets attract a disc of material around them, with the same process that gives rise to planets around a star leading to the formation of moons around planets
#Exoplanets
An exoplanet or extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System. The first confirmation of detection of exoplanets occurred in 1992 >4,400 exoplanets discovered
Exoplanets are very hard to see directly with telescopes.They are hidden by the bright glare of the stars they orbit. So,astronomers use other ways to detect and study exoplanets such as looking at the effects these planets have on the stars they orbit
#Atacama_Large_Millimeter_Array (ALMA)
It is an international partnership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation & the National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan, together with NRC(Canada), NSC and ASIAA(Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea), in cooperation with the Republic of Chile
ALMA is a single telescope composed of 66(of two sizes)high precision antennas located at Chajnantor plateau,Chile
#Near_Surface_Shear_Layer (NSSL)
Apart from differentiation rotation between equator & poles,the helioseismology has revealed that the Sun has a NSSL
The NSSL is the region very close to the visible solar surface,where there is a change in the rotation profile of the Sun
It exists very close to the solar surface,within which the angular velocity decreases rapidly with radius
Astronomers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES),and IIoS, Bangalore,have(1st time)given the theoretical explanation of the existence of a NSSL in the Sun
#Helioseismology is a technique of using sound waves to peek inside the Sun
#Differential_Rotation_of_the_Sun
The Sun rotates faster at the equator than at the poles
Over time,it cause its magnetic field to become twisted & tangled
The "tangles" in the magnetic field lines can produce very, very strong localized magnetic fields
These localised magnetic fields on the surface of the Sun are active regions where sunspots occur
Sunspots are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun.They appear dark because they are cooler than other parts of the Sun’s surface
These active regions often generate solar storms:solar flares & coronal mass ejections
#Pre_Revision
Around the planets, they are the reservoirs of material out of which moons (or exomoons or subsatellites) may form.
Such a disk can manifest itself in various ways.
Recently, scientists for the 1st time have spotted a Moon-Forming Region around a planet beyond our solar system
Scientists detected a disc of swirling material accumulating around two exoplanets seen orbiting a young star called PDS 70
The disc around PDS 70c (Exoplanet),with a diameter about equal to the distance of the Earth to the sun, possesses enough mass to produce up to 3 moons the size of Earth's moon
Other Moon Forming Regions
No circumplanetary discs had been found until now because all the known exoplanets resided in “mature”–fully developed–solar systems, except the two infant gas planets orbiting PDS 70
In solar system,the rings of Saturn represent a relic of a primordial moon-forming disc
Planet & Moon Formation
Stars burst to life within clouds of interstellar gas & dust scattered throughout galaxies.Leftover material spinning around a new star then coalesces into planets & circumplanetary discs surrounding some planets similarly yield moons
The dominant mechanism thought to underpin planet formation is called core accretion
#Core_accretion occurs from the collision & coagulation of solid particles into gradually larger bodies until a massive enough planetary embryo is formed(10-20 Earth masses)to accrete a gaseous envelope
Here,small dust grains,coated in ice,gradually grow to larger & larger sizes through successive collisions with other grains
This continues until the grains have grown to a size of a planetary core, at which point the young planet has a strong enough gravitational potential to accrete gas which will form its atmosphere
Some nascent planets attract a disc of material around them, with the same process that gives rise to planets around a star leading to the formation of moons around planets
#Exoplanets
An exoplanet or extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System. The first confirmation of detection of exoplanets occurred in 1992 >4,400 exoplanets discovered
Exoplanets are very hard to see directly with telescopes.They are hidden by the bright glare of the stars they orbit. So,astronomers use other ways to detect and study exoplanets such as looking at the effects these planets have on the stars they orbit
#Atacama_Large_Millimeter_Array (ALMA)
It is an international partnership of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the U.S. National Science Foundation & the National Institutes of Natural Sciences of Japan, together with NRC(Canada), NSC and ASIAA(Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea), in cooperation with the Republic of Chile
ALMA is a single telescope composed of 66(of two sizes)high precision antennas located at Chajnantor plateau,Chile
#Near_Surface_Shear_Layer (NSSL)
Apart from differentiation rotation between equator & poles,the helioseismology has revealed that the Sun has a NSSL
The NSSL is the region very close to the visible solar surface,where there is a change in the rotation profile of the Sun
It exists very close to the solar surface,within which the angular velocity decreases rapidly with radius
Astronomers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES),and IIoS, Bangalore,have(1st time)given the theoretical explanation of the existence of a NSSL in the Sun
#Helioseismology is a technique of using sound waves to peek inside the Sun
#Differential_Rotation_of_the_Sun
The Sun rotates faster at the equator than at the poles
Over time,it cause its magnetic field to become twisted & tangled
The "tangles" in the magnetic field lines can produce very, very strong localized magnetic fields
These localised magnetic fields on the surface of the Sun are active regions where sunspots occur
Sunspots are areas that appear dark on the surface of the Sun.They appear dark because they are cooler than other parts of the Sun’s surface
These active regions often generate solar storms:solar flares & coronal mass ejections
#Pre_Revision
#Skyglow
The Skyglow, is an omnipresent sheet of light across the night sky in and around cities that can block all but the very brightest stars from view.
The brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas because of streetlights, security floodlights and outdoor ornamental lights cause the Skyglow.
This light floods directly into the eyes of the Nocturnal (active at night) and also into the skies and misleads their path.
'Skyglow' is one of the components of light pollution.
The natural component of sky glow has five sources:
*Sunlight reflected off the moon and earth,
*Faint air glow in the upper atmosphere (a permanent, low-grade aurora),
*Sunlight reflected off interplanetary dust (zodiacal light),
*Starlight scattered in the atmosphere,
*Background light from faint, unresolved stars and nebulae (celestial objects or diffuse masses of interstellar dust and gas that appear as hazy smudges of light).
A recent study has shown that the Skyglow forces dung beetles in the city to abandon the Milky Way as their compass, they rely instead on earthbound artificial lights as beacons.
#Light_Pollution
The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light – known as Light Pollution (LP) – can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate.
Components
#Glare: Excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
#Skyglow: Brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas
#Light_trespass: Light falling where it is not intended or needed
#Clutter: Bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
The International Dark-Skies Association has certified more than 130 ‘International Dark Sky Places’, where artificial lighting has been adjusted to reduce skyglow and light trespass. However, nearly all are in developed countries in the northern hemisphere.
#Minervarya_Pentali
The newly discovered species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
This species is also among the smallest known Minervaryan frogs.
It belongs to the family Dicroglossidae.
The species is named after Prof. Deepak Pental in appreciation of his tremendous support and encouragement for setting up of Systematics Lab at University of Delhi.
#Kendu_Leaf
Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha, It is a nationalised product like bamboo and sal seed.
The leaves are used to wrap bidis.
The states producing bidi leaves in India comprises mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu leaf, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The Uniqueness of Odisha's Tendu (kendu) leaf is in processed form whereas the rest of the states in India produce in Phal Form
#Pre_Revision
The Skyglow, is an omnipresent sheet of light across the night sky in and around cities that can block all but the very brightest stars from view.
The brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas because of streetlights, security floodlights and outdoor ornamental lights cause the Skyglow.
This light floods directly into the eyes of the Nocturnal (active at night) and also into the skies and misleads their path.
'Skyglow' is one of the components of light pollution.
The natural component of sky glow has five sources:
*Sunlight reflected off the moon and earth,
*Faint air glow in the upper atmosphere (a permanent, low-grade aurora),
*Sunlight reflected off interplanetary dust (zodiacal light),
*Starlight scattered in the atmosphere,
*Background light from faint, unresolved stars and nebulae (celestial objects or diffuse masses of interstellar dust and gas that appear as hazy smudges of light).
A recent study has shown that the Skyglow forces dung beetles in the city to abandon the Milky Way as their compass, they rely instead on earthbound artificial lights as beacons.
#Light_Pollution
The inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light – known as Light Pollution (LP) – can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and our climate.
Components
#Glare: Excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort
#Skyglow: Brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas
#Light_trespass: Light falling where it is not intended or needed
#Clutter: Bright, confusing and excessive groupings of light sources
The International Dark-Skies Association has certified more than 130 ‘International Dark Sky Places’, where artificial lighting has been adjusted to reduce skyglow and light trespass. However, nearly all are in developed countries in the northern hemisphere.
#Minervarya_Pentali
The newly discovered species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats (Kerala and Tamil Nadu).
This species is also among the smallest known Minervaryan frogs.
It belongs to the family Dicroglossidae.
The species is named after Prof. Deepak Pental in appreciation of his tremendous support and encouragement for setting up of Systematics Lab at University of Delhi.
#Kendu_Leaf
Kendu leaf is called the green gold of Odisha, It is a nationalised product like bamboo and sal seed.
The leaves are used to wrap bidis.
The states producing bidi leaves in India comprises mainly Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Odisha is the third-largest producer of kendu leaf, after Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The Uniqueness of Odisha's Tendu (kendu) leaf is in processed form whereas the rest of the states in India produce in Phal Form
#Pre_Revision
#Positive_Pay_System
It is a process of reconfirming the key details of large value cheques.
It has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
Under this system, a person issuing the high-value cheque submits certain essential details of that cheque like date, name of the beneficiary/payee amount etc. to the drawee bank.
The details can be submitted through electronic means such as SMS, mobile app, internet banking, ATM etc.
The details are cross-checked while issuing the cheque and any discrepancy is flagged.
Limits
RBI has told banks to enable the facility for all account holders issuing cheques for amounts of Rs.50, 000 and above.
It has also said that while availing of the facility is at the discretion of the account holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheque values of Rs. 5 lakh and above.
#Hypervitaminoses
It are primarily caused by fat-soluble vitamins (D and A), as these are stored by the body for longer than the water-soluble vitamins.
Generally, toxic levels of vitamins stem from high supplement intake and not always from natural sources but rather the mix of natural, derived vitamins and enhancers (vitamin boosters).
Toxicities of fat-soluble vitamins can also be caused by a large intake of highly fortified foods, but natural food in modest levels rarely deliver extreme or dangerous levels of fat-soluble vitamins.
#Halam_Tribes
Halams are also known as Mila Kuki, though they are not at all Kukis in terms of language, culture and living style.
As per 2011 Census, their total population is 57,210 and distributed throughout the State of Tripura.
Halams are divided into several sub-clans which are referred to as “Barki-Halam”.
Their language is also more or less similar to that of the Tibeto-Burman family.
Major sub-clans of Halams are Koloi, Korbong, Kaipeng, Bong, Sakachep, Thangachep, Molsom, Rupini, Rangkhowl, Chorai, Lankai, Kaireng (Darlong), Ranglong, Marchafang and Saihmar.
Halams live in typical "Tong Ghar" specially made of bamboo and Chan grass.
Apart from plain land cultivation they still practice Jhum cultivation and depend on both the activities beside other substitute works.
#DivyaNayan
It is a personal reading machine for visually impaired developed by CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh.
Through this any printed or digital document can be accessed in the form of speech output.
It is currently available in Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Punjabi but is further compatible for other Indian and foreign languages.
It has interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, LAN, Headphone etc.
Working
Based on the principle of contact scanning, it can analyse a multi column document and provide seamless reading.
User can place the device over the document to be read and manually scan it.
The reading device uses language dependent optical character recognition to convert the image into text and a text to speech converter, further converts the text into audio.
Audio files are stored in the machine and can be listened back.
The device is handheld, standalone, portable, completely wireless and IoT enabled.
#Pre_Revision
It is a process of reconfirming the key details of large value cheques.
It has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
Under this system, a person issuing the high-value cheque submits certain essential details of that cheque like date, name of the beneficiary/payee amount etc. to the drawee bank.
The details can be submitted through electronic means such as SMS, mobile app, internet banking, ATM etc.
The details are cross-checked while issuing the cheque and any discrepancy is flagged.
Limits
RBI has told banks to enable the facility for all account holders issuing cheques for amounts of Rs.50, 000 and above.
It has also said that while availing of the facility is at the discretion of the account holder, banks may consider making it mandatory in case of cheque values of Rs. 5 lakh and above.
#Hypervitaminoses
It are primarily caused by fat-soluble vitamins (D and A), as these are stored by the body for longer than the water-soluble vitamins.
Generally, toxic levels of vitamins stem from high supplement intake and not always from natural sources but rather the mix of natural, derived vitamins and enhancers (vitamin boosters).
Toxicities of fat-soluble vitamins can also be caused by a large intake of highly fortified foods, but natural food in modest levels rarely deliver extreme or dangerous levels of fat-soluble vitamins.
#Halam_Tribes
Halams are also known as Mila Kuki, though they are not at all Kukis in terms of language, culture and living style.
As per 2011 Census, their total population is 57,210 and distributed throughout the State of Tripura.
Halams are divided into several sub-clans which are referred to as “Barki-Halam”.
Their language is also more or less similar to that of the Tibeto-Burman family.
Major sub-clans of Halams are Koloi, Korbong, Kaipeng, Bong, Sakachep, Thangachep, Molsom, Rupini, Rangkhowl, Chorai, Lankai, Kaireng (Darlong), Ranglong, Marchafang and Saihmar.
Halams live in typical "Tong Ghar" specially made of bamboo and Chan grass.
Apart from plain land cultivation they still practice Jhum cultivation and depend on both the activities beside other substitute works.
#DivyaNayan
It is a personal reading machine for visually impaired developed by CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh.
Through this any printed or digital document can be accessed in the form of speech output.
It is currently available in Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Punjabi but is further compatible for other Indian and foreign languages.
It has interfaces such as USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, LAN, Headphone etc.
Working
Based on the principle of contact scanning, it can analyse a multi column document and provide seamless reading.
User can place the device over the document to be read and manually scan it.
The reading device uses language dependent optical character recognition to convert the image into text and a text to speech converter, further converts the text into audio.
Audio files are stored in the machine and can be listened back.
The device is handheld, standalone, portable, completely wireless and IoT enabled.
#Pre_Revision
#Indian_Bison_or_Gaur (Bos gaurus)
Native to South and Southeast Asia
In India, they are found in Nagarhole, Bandipur, Masinagudi National Parks and BR Hills.
Vulnerable in IUCN Red List.
The Schedule I of the WPA, 1972.
It is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India and largest extant bovine.
Recently, the first population estimation exercise of the Indian Gaur (Bison) was carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division, Tamil Nadu.
Recently, the conservation breeding of Gaur was started at Mysuru zoo under the conservation breeding programme of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
Revise- #Central_Zoo_Authority
#Great_Indian_Hornbill
IUCN status: Vulnerable (uplisted from Near Threatened in 2018), CITES: Appendix I
The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
It is predominantly fruit-eating, but is an opportunist and preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.
It is distributed along Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
A large majority of their population is found in India with a significant proportion in the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris.
The nesting grounds of the birds in the Nilgiris North Eastern Range are also believed to support some of their highest densities.
Referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of the forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees, hornbills indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests in.
Hornbills used to be hunted for their casques — upper beak — and feathers for adorning headgear despite being cultural symbols of some ethnic communities in the northeast, specifically the Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh.
Illegal logging has led to fewer tall trees where the bird’s nest.
#Hornbill_Festival
The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 – 10 December, in Kohima, Nagaland.
The festival was first held in the year 2000.
It is the State bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.
#Buldhana_Pattern
It is based on the synchronization of national highway construction and water conservation.
It was achieved for the first time in Buldana district of drought-prone Vidarbha region, by using soil from the water bodies, nallas and rivers.
This consequently leads to the increase in capacity of water storage across the water-bodies in Buldana district and it came to be known as ‘Buldana Pattern’.
Creation of State Water Grid and adopting water Conservations works under this pattern will increase the agriculture production and bring prosperity in farmer’s economic life in Vidarbha.
#Pre_Revision
Native to South and Southeast Asia
In India, they are found in Nagarhole, Bandipur, Masinagudi National Parks and BR Hills.
Vulnerable in IUCN Red List.
The Schedule I of the WPA, 1972.
It is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India and largest extant bovine.
Recently, the first population estimation exercise of the Indian Gaur (Bison) was carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division, Tamil Nadu.
Recently, the conservation breeding of Gaur was started at Mysuru zoo under the conservation breeding programme of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
Revise- #Central_Zoo_Authority
#Great_Indian_Hornbill
IUCN status: Vulnerable (uplisted from Near Threatened in 2018), CITES: Appendix I
The great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) also known as the great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family.
The great hornbill is long-lived, living for nearly 50 years in captivity.
It is predominantly fruit-eating, but is an opportunist and preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Its impressive size and colour have made it important in many tribal cultures and rituals.
It is distributed along Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
A large majority of their population is found in India with a significant proportion in the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris.
The nesting grounds of the birds in the Nilgiris North Eastern Range are also believed to support some of their highest densities.
Referred to as ‘forest engineers’ or ‘farmers of the forest’ for playing a key role in dispersing seeds of tropical trees, hornbills indicate the prosperity and balance of the forest they build nests in.
Hornbills used to be hunted for their casques — upper beak — and feathers for adorning headgear despite being cultural symbols of some ethnic communities in the northeast, specifically the Nyishi of Arunachal Pradesh.
Illegal logging has led to fewer tall trees where the bird’s nest.
#Hornbill_Festival
The Hornbill Festival is a celebration held every year from 1 – 10 December, in Kohima, Nagaland.
The festival was first held in the year 2000.
It is the State bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh.
#Buldhana_Pattern
It is based on the synchronization of national highway construction and water conservation.
It was achieved for the first time in Buldana district of drought-prone Vidarbha region, by using soil from the water bodies, nallas and rivers.
This consequently leads to the increase in capacity of water storage across the water-bodies in Buldana district and it came to be known as ‘Buldana Pattern’.
Creation of State Water Grid and adopting water Conservations works under this pattern will increase the agriculture production and bring prosperity in farmer’s economic life in Vidarbha.
#Pre_Revision
#SATNAV_Policy (Satellite Navigation)
In order to achieve the goal of self-reliance in India's Satellite based navigation and augmentation services sector, a comprehensive SATNAV Policy has been proposed by the Department of Space
It aims to ensure the continuous availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian uses and secured navigation signals for strategic uses.
Satellite based navigation is a constellation of navigation satellites with global or regional coverage and its supporting infrastructure designed to provide all weather passive 3-D positioning, velocity and timing data .
Development of communication & information and mobile phone technology, are dependent on PVT (Position Velocity and Time) based services.
Also aims to continue and upgrade Space based Navigation Services (SBNS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of government's Atmanirbhar Bharat
Secured SBNS exclusively for the Indian Strategic community is provided through navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC)
SBAS Services via GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) for Indian airspace.
Currently, there are four Global Navigation Satellite System:
#GPS: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the USA and operated by the United States Force.
#GLONASS: A Russian space-based satellite navigation system is a GNSS that provides an alternative to GPS and is the second navigational system with global coverage, freely available to all.
#Galileo: A global GNSS was created in 2016 by European Space Agency.
#BeiDou: The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is owned and operated by the People’s Republic of China. It consists of two separate satellite constellations.
In addition to this, there are two regional navigation satellite systems
#NavIC: With the operational name NavIC, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India. It provides accurate, precise, and real-time positioning and services. The satellite covers India and a region extending 1,500 km around.
#QZSS: The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, aka #Michibiki, is a regional GNSS owned by Japan and operated by QZS System Service. It is a four-satellite regional time transfer system, enhancing the United States-operated Global Positioning System in the Asia-Oceania regions, with a focus on Japan.
#GPS_Clocks
Each GPS satellite contains multiple atomic clocks that contribute very precise time data to the GPS signals.
These atomic clocks are synchronized and guided by a single master clock on the ground which is controlled by the United States Naval Observatory.
GPS receivers decode these signals, effectively synchronizing each receiver to the atomic clocks.
This enables users to determine the time to within 100 billionths of a second, without the cost of owning and operating atomic clocks.
GPS Clocks & Indian Railways
Indian Railways will provide Global Positioning System (GPS) clocks for control offices to enable section controllers coordinate with station masters, loco pilots and other staff directly involved in train operations to ensure uniformity in time.
The enhanced safety measure will replace analog clocks and train operations will soon be guided by satellite supported timers known for precision and reliability.
Section controllers will set the time for station masters, loco pilots and others to correct their clocks/ watches to uniformity.
The huge clocks at major railway stations would also be modified to GPS technology by replacing the analog mechanism
#Anaimalai_flying_frog
Scientific name: Racophorus pseudomalabaricus.
Other names: false Malabar gliding frog and false Malabar tree frog.
It is a critically endangered frog species.
Endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats, the numbers of these frogs have declined rapidly due to the loss of habitat.
This species is known from at least two protected areas, Indira Gandhi National Park and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
#Pre_Revision
In order to achieve the goal of self-reliance in India's Satellite based navigation and augmentation services sector, a comprehensive SATNAV Policy has been proposed by the Department of Space
It aims to ensure the continuous availability of free-to-air navigation signals for civilian uses and secured navigation signals for strategic uses.
Satellite based navigation is a constellation of navigation satellites with global or regional coverage and its supporting infrastructure designed to provide all weather passive 3-D positioning, velocity and timing data .
Development of communication & information and mobile phone technology, are dependent on PVT (Position Velocity and Time) based services.
Also aims to continue and upgrade Space based Navigation Services (SBNS) and Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) as part of government's Atmanirbhar Bharat
Secured SBNS exclusively for the Indian Strategic community is provided through navigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC)
SBAS Services via GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) for Indian airspace.
Currently, there are four Global Navigation Satellite System:
#GPS: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the USA and operated by the United States Force.
#GLONASS: A Russian space-based satellite navigation system is a GNSS that provides an alternative to GPS and is the second navigational system with global coverage, freely available to all.
#Galileo: A global GNSS was created in 2016 by European Space Agency.
#BeiDou: The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is owned and operated by the People’s Republic of China. It consists of two separate satellite constellations.
In addition to this, there are two regional navigation satellite systems
#NavIC: With the operational name NavIC, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System is an independent regional navigation satellite system developed by India. It provides accurate, precise, and real-time positioning and services. The satellite covers India and a region extending 1,500 km around.
#QZSS: The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, aka #Michibiki, is a regional GNSS owned by Japan and operated by QZS System Service. It is a four-satellite regional time transfer system, enhancing the United States-operated Global Positioning System in the Asia-Oceania regions, with a focus on Japan.
#GPS_Clocks
Each GPS satellite contains multiple atomic clocks that contribute very precise time data to the GPS signals.
These atomic clocks are synchronized and guided by a single master clock on the ground which is controlled by the United States Naval Observatory.
GPS receivers decode these signals, effectively synchronizing each receiver to the atomic clocks.
This enables users to determine the time to within 100 billionths of a second, without the cost of owning and operating atomic clocks.
GPS Clocks & Indian Railways
Indian Railways will provide Global Positioning System (GPS) clocks for control offices to enable section controllers coordinate with station masters, loco pilots and other staff directly involved in train operations to ensure uniformity in time.
The enhanced safety measure will replace analog clocks and train operations will soon be guided by satellite supported timers known for precision and reliability.
Section controllers will set the time for station masters, loco pilots and others to correct their clocks/ watches to uniformity.
The huge clocks at major railway stations would also be modified to GPS technology by replacing the analog mechanism
#Anaimalai_flying_frog
Scientific name: Racophorus pseudomalabaricus.
Other names: false Malabar gliding frog and false Malabar tree frog.
It is a critically endangered frog species.
Endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats, the numbers of these frogs have declined rapidly due to the loss of habitat.
This species is known from at least two protected areas, Indira Gandhi National Park and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
#Pre_Revision
#The_Commission_for_Air_Qualit_Management_in_National_Capital_Region_and_Adjoining_Areas_Bill_2021
The Bill provides for the constitution of a Commission for better co-ordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas.
Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR, where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.
The Bill also dissolves the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in the NCR in 1998.
The Chairperson and members of the Commission will have a tenure of three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
The central government will constitute a selection committee to recommend appointments of members of the Commission.
The Committee will be headed by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Commission will be the sole authority with jurisdiction over matters defined in the Bill (such as air quality management).
In case of conflicts, directions of the Commission will prevail over the orders of the respective state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state PCBs, and state-level statutory bodies.
Contravention of provisions of the Bill, or orders and directions of the Commission will be punishable with imprisonment of up to five years, or fine of up to one crore rupees, or both.
The Bill excludes farmers from the scope of these penalties.
However, the Commission may collect an environmental compensation from farmers causing pollution by stubble burning.
This compensation will be prescribed by the central government.
Appeals against the Commission’s orders will lie with the National Green Tribunal
#National_Child_Labour_Project (NCLP) Scheme
It is a Central Sector Scheme.
Under this Scheme the District Project Societies (DPS) are set up at the district level under the Chairmanship of the Collector/District Magistrate for overseeing the implementation of the project.
Under this Scheme, the children in the age group of 9-14 years are withdrawn from work and put into NCLP Special Training Centres.
The NCLP Training Centres will provide them with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care etc. before being mainstreamed them into formal education system.
The children in the age group of 5-8 years are directly linked to the formal education system through a close coordination with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Further, to ensure the effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of NCLP Scheme, a dedicated online portal named #PENCiL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) is developed.
Under this Scheme, funds are provided directly to the District Project Societies who in turn engage and allocate the funds to NGOs/Voluntary Agencies/Civil Societies Organisation etc. for running of Special Training Centres.
#Tribunal_Reform_Bill_2021
It seeks to empower the Central Government to make rules for qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other terms and conditions of service of Members of Tribunals.
It provides that the Chairperson and Members of the Tribunals will be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee.
It also provides the composition of the Committee, to be headed by the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of Supreme Court nominated by him.
It aims to abolish the following Appellate tribunals and their functions are to be transferred to the existing judicial bodies.
Film Certification Appellate Tribunal,
Airports Appellate Tribunal,
Authority for Advanced Rulings,
Intellectual Property Appellate Board
Plant Varieties Protection Appellate Tribunal
#Pre_Revision
The Bill provides for the constitution of a Commission for better co-ordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the NCR and adjoining areas.
Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, adjoining the National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR, where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.
The Bill also dissolves the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in the NCR in 1998.
The Chairperson and members of the Commission will have a tenure of three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
The central government will constitute a selection committee to recommend appointments of members of the Commission.
The Committee will be headed by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Commission will be the sole authority with jurisdiction over matters defined in the Bill (such as air quality management).
In case of conflicts, directions of the Commission will prevail over the orders of the respective state governments, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), state PCBs, and state-level statutory bodies.
Contravention of provisions of the Bill, or orders and directions of the Commission will be punishable with imprisonment of up to five years, or fine of up to one crore rupees, or both.
The Bill excludes farmers from the scope of these penalties.
However, the Commission may collect an environmental compensation from farmers causing pollution by stubble burning.
This compensation will be prescribed by the central government.
Appeals against the Commission’s orders will lie with the National Green Tribunal
#National_Child_Labour_Project (NCLP) Scheme
It is a Central Sector Scheme.
Under this Scheme the District Project Societies (DPS) are set up at the district level under the Chairmanship of the Collector/District Magistrate for overseeing the implementation of the project.
Under this Scheme, the children in the age group of 9-14 years are withdrawn from work and put into NCLP Special Training Centres.
The NCLP Training Centres will provide them with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care etc. before being mainstreamed them into formal education system.
The children in the age group of 5-8 years are directly linked to the formal education system through a close coordination with the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Further, to ensure the effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of NCLP Scheme, a dedicated online portal named #PENCiL (Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour) is developed.
Under this Scheme, funds are provided directly to the District Project Societies who in turn engage and allocate the funds to NGOs/Voluntary Agencies/Civil Societies Organisation etc. for running of Special Training Centres.
#Tribunal_Reform_Bill_2021
It seeks to empower the Central Government to make rules for qualifications, appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal and other terms and conditions of service of Members of Tribunals.
It provides that the Chairperson and Members of the Tribunals will be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of a Search-cum-Selection Committee.
It also provides the composition of the Committee, to be headed by the Chief Justice of India or a Judge of Supreme Court nominated by him.
It aims to abolish the following Appellate tribunals and their functions are to be transferred to the existing judicial bodies.
Film Certification Appellate Tribunal,
Airports Appellate Tribunal,
Authority for Advanced Rulings,
Intellectual Property Appellate Board
Plant Varieties Protection Appellate Tribunal
#Pre_Revision
#Essential_Defence_Services_Bill_2021
The Bill defines Essential Defence Services: It includes any service in any establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence related purposes or any establishment of the armed forces or connected with them or defence.
The Bill also empowers the government to declare services mentioned in it as essential defence services.
It prohibits strike and lockouts in “any industrial establishment or unit engaged in essential defence services”.
The Bill amends the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 to include essential defence services under public utility services.
Besides, the bill has also defined strikes and punishments for violations.
#Garbage_free_star_rating
The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It was launched to institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status.
It is one of the various initiatives which intends to make Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) as a successful project.
The Star Rating is supported by self-assessment and self-verification for achieving a
certain star rating.
#Global_Green_Growth_Institute
GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive
and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies.
GGGI supports its Members to take action in implementing their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement as well as their obligations under the 2030
Development Agenda’s SDGs.
The Council is the executive organ of the GGGI and consists of no more than seventeen members, of which five are from contributing members and elected by the Assembly, five are from participating members and elected by the Assembly, five are experts or non-state actors
appointed by the Council, the host country which holds a permanent seat on the Council, and the Director-General without voting right.
Members of the Council serve for two year terms
India is a partner country and not a member state.
#Conjunction
If two celestial bodies visually appear close to each other from Earth, it is called a conjunction.
#Great_Conjunction: Astronomers use the term great conjunction to describe meetings of the two biggest worlds in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn.
It happens about every 20 years.
The conjunction is the result of the orbital paths of Jupiter and Saturn coming into line, as viewed from Earth.
Jupiter orbits the sun about every 12 years, and Saturn about every 29 years.
The conjunction will be on 21st December, 2020, also the date of the December solstice.
It will be the closest alignment of Saturn and Jupiter since 1623, in terms of distance. The next time the planets will be this close is 2080.
They will appear to be close together, however, they will be more than 400 million miles apart.
#Jupiter
Fifth in line from the Sun, Jupiter is, by far, the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined.
Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm bigger than Earth that has raged for hundreds of years
Jupiter rotates once about every 10 hours (a Jovian day), but takes about 12 Earth years to complete one orbit of the Sun (a Jovian year).
Jupiter has more than 75 moons
The planet Jupiter's four largest moons are called the #Galilean satellites after Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, who first observed them in 1610
These large moons, named Io, #Europa, #Ganymede, and #Callisto, are each distinctive worlds
In 1979, the #Voyager mission discovered Jupiter’s faint ring system
Nine spacecraft have visited Jupiter. Seven flew by and two have orbited the gas giant. #Juno, the most recent, arrived at Jupiter in 2016
#Saturn
Revise- #Saturn
Saturn takes about 10.7 hours to rotate on its axis once - a Saturn “day” - and 29 Earth years to orbit the sun
Saturn has the most spectacular ring system, with seven rings and several gaps and divisions between them
#Pre_Revision
The Bill defines Essential Defence Services: It includes any service in any establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence related purposes or any establishment of the armed forces or connected with them or defence.
The Bill also empowers the government to declare services mentioned in it as essential defence services.
It prohibits strike and lockouts in “any industrial establishment or unit engaged in essential defence services”.
The Bill amends the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 to include essential defence services under public utility services.
Besides, the bill has also defined strikes and punishments for violations.
#Garbage_free_star_rating
The Star Rating Protocol was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It was launched to institutionalize a mechanism for cities to achieve Garbage Free status.
It is one of the various initiatives which intends to make Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) as a successful project.
The Star Rating is supported by self-assessment and self-verification for achieving a
certain star rating.
#Global_Green_Growth_Institute
GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive
and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies.
GGGI supports its Members to take action in implementing their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement as well as their obligations under the 2030
Development Agenda’s SDGs.
The Council is the executive organ of the GGGI and consists of no more than seventeen members, of which five are from contributing members and elected by the Assembly, five are from participating members and elected by the Assembly, five are experts or non-state actors
appointed by the Council, the host country which holds a permanent seat on the Council, and the Director-General without voting right.
Members of the Council serve for two year terms
India is a partner country and not a member state.
#Conjunction
If two celestial bodies visually appear close to each other from Earth, it is called a conjunction.
#Great_Conjunction: Astronomers use the term great conjunction to describe meetings of the two biggest worlds in the solar system, Jupiter and Saturn.
It happens about every 20 years.
The conjunction is the result of the orbital paths of Jupiter and Saturn coming into line, as viewed from Earth.
Jupiter orbits the sun about every 12 years, and Saturn about every 29 years.
The conjunction will be on 21st December, 2020, also the date of the December solstice.
It will be the closest alignment of Saturn and Jupiter since 1623, in terms of distance. The next time the planets will be this close is 2080.
They will appear to be close together, however, they will be more than 400 million miles apart.
#Jupiter
Fifth in line from the Sun, Jupiter is, by far, the largest planet in the solar system – more than twice as massive as all the other planets combined.
Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot is a giant storm bigger than Earth that has raged for hundreds of years
Jupiter rotates once about every 10 hours (a Jovian day), but takes about 12 Earth years to complete one orbit of the Sun (a Jovian year).
Jupiter has more than 75 moons
The planet Jupiter's four largest moons are called the #Galilean satellites after Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, who first observed them in 1610
These large moons, named Io, #Europa, #Ganymede, and #Callisto, are each distinctive worlds
In 1979, the #Voyager mission discovered Jupiter’s faint ring system
Nine spacecraft have visited Jupiter. Seven flew by and two have orbited the gas giant. #Juno, the most recent, arrived at Jupiter in 2016
#Saturn
Revise- #Saturn
Saturn takes about 10.7 hours to rotate on its axis once - a Saturn “day” - and 29 Earth years to orbit the sun
Saturn has the most spectacular ring system, with seven rings and several gaps and divisions between them
#Pre_Revision
#Rashtriya_Mahila_Kosh
It was established in 1993 as a national level autonomous body for socio-economic empowerment of women, especially those in the rural and unorganized sector, by providing them concessional, collateral free micro-credit.
The operating model followed by RMK has been of extending loans to Intermediary Micro-Finance Organizations (IMOs) which further on lend for entrepreneurial activities of women.
The Kosh is being administered by a Governing Board of sixteen members consisting of the ex-officio Chairperson who is Minister in the Ministry of Women and Child Development
The Government has decided to close down RMK as it has lost its relevance and utility in the present scenario with substantial alternative credit facilities becoming available to women through various governmental initiatives and efforts such as Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Mudra Yojana etc and also to avoid duplicacy of efforts.
#Employee_Stock_Option_Plan (ESOP)
It gives employees the right to buy shares of their company at a future date at a pre-decided price.
Companies grant ESOPs to their employees as part of their compensation package.
While ESOPs have traditionally been granted to senior employees, many firms, particularly start-ups, are now extending them beyond the top echelons.
Since ESOPs grant employees only an option, they can choose not to buy the shares.
As ESOPs are part of employees’ compensation, these are taxed, when they exercise the option to buy and when they make capital gains on selling them.
ESOPs are intended to give employees a sense of ownership in a company and to work keeping in mind the interests of the company’s shareholders.
ESOPs however do have flip side. If the financial performance of the company an employee working with turns out to be subpar, not just his/her salary but also his/her wealth will be put at risk.
#Agalega_island
It is an island in Mauritius.
It is located about 1,000 km north of the archipelago’s main island.
It was in news because some reports said Mauritius has allowed India to build a military base on this island.
However, Mauritius has now clarified that no such agreement exists with India.
#Diego_Garcia
It is an island of the British Indian Ocean Territory, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
It is the largest of 60 small islands comprising the Chagos Archipelago.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to find it and it was then settled by the French in the 1790s and transferred to British rule after the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1965, Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and set up a joint military base with the United States on Diego Garcia.
Britain insists the islands belong to London and has renewed a lease agreement with the United States to use Diego Garcia until 2036.
#Pre_Revision
It was established in 1993 as a national level autonomous body for socio-economic empowerment of women, especially those in the rural and unorganized sector, by providing them concessional, collateral free micro-credit.
The operating model followed by RMK has been of extending loans to Intermediary Micro-Finance Organizations (IMOs) which further on lend for entrepreneurial activities of women.
The Kosh is being administered by a Governing Board of sixteen members consisting of the ex-officio Chairperson who is Minister in the Ministry of Women and Child Development
The Government has decided to close down RMK as it has lost its relevance and utility in the present scenario with substantial alternative credit facilities becoming available to women through various governmental initiatives and efforts such as Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Mudra Yojana etc and also to avoid duplicacy of efforts.
#Employee_Stock_Option_Plan (ESOP)
It gives employees the right to buy shares of their company at a future date at a pre-decided price.
Companies grant ESOPs to their employees as part of their compensation package.
While ESOPs have traditionally been granted to senior employees, many firms, particularly start-ups, are now extending them beyond the top echelons.
Since ESOPs grant employees only an option, they can choose not to buy the shares.
As ESOPs are part of employees’ compensation, these are taxed, when they exercise the option to buy and when they make capital gains on selling them.
ESOPs are intended to give employees a sense of ownership in a company and to work keeping in mind the interests of the company’s shareholders.
ESOPs however do have flip side. If the financial performance of the company an employee working with turns out to be subpar, not just his/her salary but also his/her wealth will be put at risk.
#Agalega_island
It is an island in Mauritius.
It is located about 1,000 km north of the archipelago’s main island.
It was in news because some reports said Mauritius has allowed India to build a military base on this island.
However, Mauritius has now clarified that no such agreement exists with India.
#Diego_Garcia
It is an island of the British Indian Ocean Territory, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
It is the largest of 60 small islands comprising the Chagos Archipelago.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to find it and it was then settled by the French in the 1790s and transferred to British rule after the Napoleonic Wars.
In 1965, Britain separated the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and set up a joint military base with the United States on Diego Garcia.
Britain insists the islands belong to London and has renewed a lease agreement with the United States to use Diego Garcia until 2036.
#Pre_Revision