#Environment_Basics #PT2020 #Facts_Prelims

Ramsar sites (Wetlands) in India

1 Kolleru Lake ,Andhra Pradesh
2 Deepor Beel, Assam
3 Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
4 Chandertal Wetland, Himachal Pradesh
5 Pong Dam Lake, Himachal Pradesh
6 Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh
7 Hokera Wetland, Jammu & Kashmir
8 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Jammu & Kashmir
9 Tsomoriri, Jammu & Kashmir
10 Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
11Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala
12 Sasthamkotta Lake, Kerala
13 Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala
14 Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh
15 Nandur Madhameshwar, Maharashtra
16 Loktak Lake, Manipur
17 Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Orissa
18 Chilika Lake, Orissa
19 Harike Lake, Punjab
20 Kanjli, Punjab
21 Ropar, Punjab
22 Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Punjab
23 Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab
24 Beas Conservation Reserve, Punjab
25. SambharLake, Rajasthan
26. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
27. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
28. Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura
29. Upper Ganga River, Uttar Pradesh
30. Saman Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
31. Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
32. Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
33 Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Uttar Pradesh
34. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
35. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
36. East Calcutta Wetlands, West Bengal
37. Sundarban Wetland West Bengal

@Digicate

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#Environment_Basics #PT2020 #2MinRead

Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) 

- It is an intergovernmental scientific programme, launched in 1971 by UNESCO.

- aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.

- It maintains the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), a dynamic and interactive network of sites.

- It works to foster the harmonious integration of people and nature for sustainable development through, 
1. participatory dialogue and knowledge sharing,    
2. poverty reduction,
3. human well-being
4. respect for cultural values and
5. by improving society's ability to cope with climate change.

#Environment_Basics #PT2020 #Facts_Prelims

Biosphere Reserves in India

- 11 of the 18 biosphere reserves in India are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

List of Eleven
( Name - State - Year of Declaration)

1.Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka- 2000)

2. Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu - 2001)

3. Sundarbans (West Bengal - 2001)

4. Nanda Devi (Uttarakhand - 2004)

5. Nokrek (Meghalaya - 2009)

6. Pachmarhi  (Madhya Pradesh-2009)

7. Simlipal (Odisha-2009)

8. Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands-2013)

9. Achanakmar-Amarkantak
(Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh    2012)

10. Agasthyamalai (Kerala and Tamil Nadu-2016)

11. Khangchendzonga (Sikkim - 2018)

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#Environment_Basics #PT2020 #Facts_Prelims

Remaining List of 7 Biosphere Reserves (Not being on WNBR)

(Name - State )

1. Manas (Assam)
2. Dihang-Dibang (Arunachal Pradesh)
3. Dibru-Saikhowa ( Assam)
4. Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh )
5. Seshachalam Hills (Andhra Pradesh)
6. Great Rann of Kutch ( Gujrat)
7. Panna (Madhya Pradesh )

@Digicate

#Govt_Initiative #PT2020

Indian Gas Exchange (IGX)

- It is the first online delivery-based gas trading platform in India

-  For imported natural Gas.

- It is incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the IEX – India’s energy market platform.

- It will allow trading in spot market as well as forward market across three hubs - Dahej - Gujrat, Hajra Gujarat, and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

- The exchange also allows much shorter contracts ( next day, and up to a month) 

- The price of domestically produced natural gas is decided by the government. It will not be sold on the gas exchange.

Significance 

1. free market pricing of natural 
2. facilitate transparent price discovery in natural gas
3. growth of the share of natural gas in India’s energy basket.

#Prelims_OneLiners #PT2020

1. Jet Zero plan
Announced by the United Kingdom (U.K.) to bring down its aviation emissions.

2. ‘Reservation is not a fundamental right' - Supreme Court

3. PK Mohanty panel:Constituted by RBI.
To review guidelines of ownership of private sector banks.

4. Vaccine nationalism
It refers to securing doses of vaccine for own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries

@Digicate

#Geography_Basics   #PT2020  #Facts_Prelims

Some Important Passes

1. Aghil Pass -Connects Ladakh & Xinjiang (China)   

2. Banihal Pass, Pir Panjal Range. Connects Banihal with Qazigund

3. Bara-lacha-La    Himachal Pradesh. It is situated in Zanskar range   

4. Bomdi La - Arunachal Pradesh, Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa (Tibet)   

5. Chang La Pass, Connects Ladakh with Tibet

6. Chanshal Pass  - Himachal Pradesh   

7. Debsa Pass    Himachal Pradesh, Connects Spiti Valley and Parvati Valley   

8. Diphu Pass - Arunachal Pradesh    Provides easy and an alternate route to (Mandalay)

@Digicate

#History_Basics  #PT2020 #Facts_Prelims 

Ancient India - Key Terms ( Part 1) - Maurya Empire

1. Sannidhata – Treasurer/ In charge of revenue collection
2. Samharta– Revenue collector
3. Amatyas–   civil servants to look after the day-to-day administration (similar to the IAS officers of a modern India)
4. Rajukas - authority of rewarding as well we punishing people.
5. Adhyaksas-  looked after the various departments.

6. Yuktas- subordinate official engaged largely in secretarial works and accounting
7. Gopa and Sthanika-  intermediate level of administrators between the district level and village level, 
8. Gramika- Head of the village. 
9. Grambhojaka- Helped Gramika 
10. Pramukha-  Chief of Shrenis(Guilds of Handicrafts)

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#Environment_Basics #2MinRead #PT2020

Red panda

- called as red cat bear
- It is a small arboreal mammal
- Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, northern Myanmar and southern China. 

- Habitat -  mixed deciduous and coniferous forests with dense bamboo (2,200-4,800m height mountains)

- India - found in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

- IUCN Red List Status - Endangered
- It is Protected under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Revised Interview Dates -CSM-2019.pdf

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#IR_InNews   #PT2020  

India China standoff

- China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Indian Army clashed, resulting in fatalities on both sides.

- Place - Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh region.
- Other places of Tension - Hot Springs area and Pangong Lake

The strategic importance of Galwan River Valley
- The river is the highest ridgeline and it allows the Chinese to dominate the Shyok route passes, close to the river.

Reason behind Tensions 
- India is constructing a feeder road from Darbuk-Shyok Village - Daulat Beg Oldi road.
- This road runs along the Shyok River and is the most critical line of communications close to LAC.
- China perceives it as a potential threat to its dominance in the region. 

#History_Basics    #PT2020 #Facts_Prelims 

Ancient India - Key Terms ( Part 2) - Vedic Period

1. Vrajapati - Officer-in-charge of pasture land
2. Purohita- Priest of highest order
3. Jivagribha - Police official
4. Senani - Supreme commander-in-chief
5. Gramani - Head of the village

6. Kulapati - Head of the family
7. Spasas - Spies & Messengers
8. Bhagadugha - Revenue collector
9. Madhyamasi - Mediator for dispute solving
10. Palagala - Messenger

11. Sanghrahriti - Treasurer
12. Kshatri - Chamberlain
13. Sthapati - Chief Judge
14. Mahishi - Chief Queen
15. Govikartana - Keeper of forests & games
16. Akshavapa - Accountant
17. Takshan - Carpenter

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#IR_Current #PT2020

India to be UNSC Member

- Recently, India became a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a period of 2 years. 

- India’s term will begin on 1st January 2021.

- India will have the presidency of the UN Security Council in the month of August 2021

#IR_OrgInNews #PT2020

United Nations Security Council

- One of the Principal Organ of the United Nations.
- Aim-  ensuring peace and security across the world
- Formed in 1945
- Total - 15 member states 
Permanent members = 5(United States, France, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom), - and they have Veto power
Non-Permanent Members - 10
Elected for 2 years from member countries of UN.

- It can issue Binding resolutions on member states.

#Govt_Initiative #PT2020

SATYABHAMA Portal 

- "'Science and Technology Yojana for AtmaNirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement ’

- launched by Union Ministry of Mines and Coal

Aim - to encourage and boost mining and mineral sector

#History_Basics #Facts_Prelims #PT2020

Ancient India - Key Terms (Part 03)
Gupta Period

1. Mahabaladhikrita - Commander-in-Chief
2. Mahadandanayak - Chief Justice
3. Mahapratihar - Maintenance of RoyalPalace
4. Mahasandhivigrahak - Post-war conciliation
5. Dandapashika - Police department head

6. Bhandagaradhikreta - Head of Royal treasury
7. Mahapaksha-patalik - Head of account department
8. Vinayasthitisansathapak - Head of education department
9. Sarvadhyaksha - Inspector for all central department
10. Mahashwapati - Controller of cavalry

11. Mahamahipilapati - Controller & executor of elephantry
12. Vinayapura - Official to present different guests at the King’s court
13. Yuktapurusha - Office to keep account of war booty
14. Khadyatpakika - Inspector of Royal Kitchen
15. Ranabhandagarika - Officer in charge of Army Stores
16. Mahanarpati - Head of infantry

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#SnT_Currents  #PT2020  #2MinRead

Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

- It's a multistakeholder initiative involving govts, industry, civil society, and academia.

- Other Founding members- USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore

- Objective - support the responsible and human-centric development and use of AI, 

- Focus is on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.

The Secretariat, is to be hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris.

News - Recently, India joined as a founding member.

#Facts_Prelims #PT2020

Medieval India - Key Terms(Part 1) - Delhi Sultanate

1. Wazir - Prime Minister and in charge of revenue & finances.
2. Ariz-i-Mumalik    - Head of military department
3. Qazi - Legal Officer, dispensing Sharia law
4. Wakil-i-dar - Controller of Royal household
5. Majlis-i-am - Council of friends and officers consulted on important affairs of the state

6. Dahir-i-mumalik - Head of Royal correspondence
7. Sadr-i-jahan - Officers in charge of religious matters and endowments
8. Amir-i-dad - Public prosecutor
9. Qazi-i-mumalik - Chief Justice
10. Amir-i-Akhur - Officer commanding Royal Horses

@Digicate

🎲 Quiz 'PT25 - Quiz 9 - 21st June'
Practice MCQs on IMP Static and Current Affairs of last 1 year
🖊 25 questions · ⏱ 1 min

#PT2020 #SnT_Currents

Favipiravir

- It is an oral antiviral drug approved for the treatment of influenza.
- It selectively inhibits RNA polymerase, which is necessary for viral replication. Hence, it controls spreading of virus in the body.

Context - Recently, India approved FabiFlu Drug with Favipiravir as Content for treatment of COVID-19.
( For Patients with mild to moderate conditions.)