Sittwe Port (Myanmar)
- India has secured the right to operate its second overseas port (after Chabahar in Iran), Sittwe, after approval by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
- About Sittwe Port
- Deep water port located at the estuary of Kaladan River in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
- Developed as a part of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant in aid assistance from GoI.
- Significance: Will open new opportunities for India’s Northeast for trade and transit,enhance trade and commerce between India and Myanmar, etc.
- Tags :
- Myanmar
- KMTT Project
- Sittwe Port
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
- Enrolment under PMFBY in FY 2023-24 saw an increase of 27% as compared to the previous FY.
- About PMFBY
- Launched in 2016.
- Type: Central Sector Scheme conceptualized and administered by the Central Government and implemented by concerned State/ UT Governments.
- Objective: To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crops as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
- Features
- Covers all the stages of the crop production cycle.
- Uniform premium of 2% (Kharif), 1.5% (Rabi), and 5% (Horticultural crops).
- Tags :
- Insurance
- PMFBY
Polar Vortex
- Scientists have discovered the sudden reversal in the direction of the Arctic Polar Vortex spin
- Sudden Stratospheric Warming events which caused more ozone from lower latitudes to move around the Arctic could have led to the change in the direction.
- About Polar Vortex
- It refers to the low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles.
- It is held by strong wind currents that flow anti-clockwise around the polar region.
- It is weaker in the summer and stronger during the winter.
- Tags :
- Polar Vortex
- Stratospheric Warming events
Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
- The Centre has recently issued a draft notification demarcating an ESZ around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- About ESZ
- They are ecologically important and fragile areas around protected areas.
- Notified by central government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- ESZ Guidelines classify activities under three categories:
- Prohibited: Commercial Mining, Setting of industries causing pollution, etc.
- Regulated: Felling of Trees, Establishment of hotels and resorts, etc.
- Permitted: Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, dairy farming, etc
- Tags :
- ESZs
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary
Articles Sources
https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/04/06/sukhna-wildlife-sanctuary-eco-sensitive-zone-demarcated
https://moef.gov.in/moef/division/forest-divisions-2/eco-sensitive-zone-esz/introduction-2/index.htm
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/sc-for-minimum-1-km-eco-sensitive-zone-arou
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/analysis-why-has-the-creation-of-eco-sensit
https://moef.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/1%20Guidelines%20for%20Eco-Sensitive%20Zones%20around
Damodar River
- The state of Jharkhand is taking many steps for the restoration and conservation of River Damodar.
- Damodar River:
- Origin: Khamarpat Hill on Chotanagpur Plateau in Palamau district of Jharkhand.
- It is a sub-basin and part of the Ganges River System.
- Tributaries: Barakar, Konar, Bokaro, Haharo, Jamnia, Ghari, etc.
- It was earlier known as the “River of Sorrows”.
- As it flows through the mineral-rich areas, it is severely affected by the pollution due to industries.
- Tags :
- River Damodar
- Ganges River System
- River of Sorrows
Chital (Spotted deer)
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island (formerly Ross Island) is facing an invasion of chital deer.
- About Chital
- Distribution: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka up to the geographical barrier of the Himalayas.
- Native to the Indian subcontinent
- Habitats: Riverine forest during the hot dry season while Sal forest during the monsoon season.
- Features:
- Gestation period: Around 231 - 235 days.
- Food and Feeding: Grasses, but also forbs, leaves, flowers, and fruits.
- Antlers are present only in males.
- Status: Least Concern( IUCN)
- Threats: Illegal hunting, habitat loss and degradation due to human encroachment and spread of invasive alien plant species.
- Distribution: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka up to the geographical barrier of the Himalayas.
- Tags :
- Chital
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Per- and Poly- Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- A study by IIT Madras reveals the pervasive presence of PFAS (also known as ‘Forever Chemicals’) in Buckingham Canal, Adyar River, and Chembarambakkam Lake.
- About PFAS
- PFAS are a vast family of synthetic chemicals found in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, upholstery, food packaging, water or stain resistant coatings, and industrial materials.
- They do not degrade easily in the environment.
- Concerns: Could lead to adverse health effects such as liver damage, low infant birth weights, hormonal imbalance, fertility issues, immune system effects, and even cancer.
- Tags :
- PFAS
- Forever Chemicals
Changpa
- The events of climate change have disrupted the normal life of the Changpa tribe.
- About Changpa Tribe
- They are Semi-nomadic tribes of Tibetan origin living in the plains of eastern Ladakh.
- The majority of them are pastoralists and rear Changra goats that yield the Pashmina (Cashmere) fibre and also yaks.
- They profess Tibetan Buddhism and live in conical yak-skin tents called reboo.
- Tags :
- Changpa
- Tibetan Buddhism