π The article discusses the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and its implications for public health.
β Persistent Air Pollution: Delhi experiences poor air quality for a significant part of the year, particularly during the winter months.
β Health Impacts: Air pollution, especially exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has severe health consequences, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature death.
β Sources of Pollution: Various factors contribute to Delhi's air pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and stubble burning in neighboring states.
β Government Initiatives: Despite various measures taken by the government, such as odd-even schemes and stricter emission norms, the air quality in Delhi remains a major concern.
β Need for Comprehensive Solutions: Addressing the issue requires a multi-pronged approach, including stricter regulations, technological advancements, and behavioral changes.
β Persistent Air Pollution: Delhi experiences poor air quality for a significant part of the year, particularly during the winter months.
β Health Impacts: Air pollution, especially exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), has severe health consequences, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature death.
β Sources of Pollution: Various factors contribute to Delhi's air pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction dust, and stubble burning in neighboring states.
β Government Initiatives: Despite various measures taken by the government, such as odd-even schemes and stricter emission norms, the air quality in Delhi remains a major concern.
β Need for Comprehensive Solutions: Addressing the issue requires a multi-pronged approach, including stricter regulations, technological advancements, and behavioral changes.
πNational Gopal Ratna Award 2024:
β Department: Presented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
β Origin: Initiated to promote and recognize excellence in the livestock and dairy sector.
β Aim: To encourage farmers, technicians, and cooperatives working in dairy and indigenous cattle rearing to achieve excellence and boost development in the sector
β Department: Presented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
β Origin: Initiated to promote and recognize excellence in the livestock and dairy sector.
β Aim: To encourage farmers, technicians, and cooperatives working in dairy and indigenous cattle rearing to achieve excellence and boost development in the sector
πGuyana
β Location: Guyana, is located in the northeastern corner of South America.
β Bordering Nations: Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, by Suriname (along the Courantyne River) to the east, by Brazil to the south and southwest, and by Venezuela to the west.
β Major rivers: Courantyne, Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo.
β Oil reserves: Guyana has gained significant salience in the oil & gas sector with the new discoveries of 11.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, amounts to 18% of total global Oil & Gas discoveries.
β Location: Guyana, is located in the northeastern corner of South America.
β Bordering Nations: Guyana is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, by Suriname (along the Courantyne River) to the east, by Brazil to the south and southwest, and by Venezuela to the west.
β Major rivers: Courantyne, Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo.
β Oil reserves: Guyana has gained significant salience in the oil & gas sector with the new discoveries of 11.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, amounts to 18% of total global Oil & Gas discoveries.
πGreen World Environment Award:
β Award Significance: Recognizes organizations for outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability and CSR initiatives globally.
β Recipient: Coal India Limited in 2024 for its Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, which supports curative treatments for Thalassemia through Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT).
β Support: Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna provide financial assistance of up to βΉ10 lakh provided for BMT operations across 17 partner hospitals.
β Presented by: The Green Organisation at Kensington Palace, London
#science_technology #current affairs #prelims
β Award Significance: Recognizes organizations for outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability and CSR initiatives globally.
β Recipient: Coal India Limited in 2024 for its Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna, which supports curative treatments for Thalassemia through Bone Marrow Transplants (BMT).
β Support: Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna provide financial assistance of up to βΉ10 lakh provided for BMT operations across 17 partner hospitals.
β Presented by: The Green Organisation at Kensington Palace, London
#science_technology #current affairs #prelims
π2
πA new state-of-the-art gamma-ray telescope, MACE, has been inaugurated in Hanle, Ladakh.
Key Points:
β High-Altitude Location: MACE is situated at a high altitude, offering clear skies and minimal atmospheric interference.
β Advanced Technology: It employs cutting-edge technology to detect and study high-energy gamma rays.
β Scientific Goals: MACE aims to study a variety of celestial objects, including pulsars, black holes, and supernova remnants.
β Dark Matter Research: It will also contribute to the search for dark matter particles.
β Indian Contribution to Astronomy: The successful establishment of MACE showcases India's growing contribution to the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
Key Points:
β High-Altitude Location: MACE is situated at a high altitude, offering clear skies and minimal atmospheric interference.
β Advanced Technology: It employs cutting-edge technology to detect and study high-energy gamma rays.
β Scientific Goals: MACE aims to study a variety of celestial objects, including pulsars, black holes, and supernova remnants.
β Dark Matter Research: It will also contribute to the search for dark matter particles.
β Indian Contribution to Astronomy: The successful establishment of MACE showcases India's growing contribution to the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
Sabarmati River:
β It is a monsoon-fed river that originates in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan near Udaipur and meets in the Bay of Khambhat in Arabian sea.
β It is bounded by the Aravalli Hills in the north and north-east, the Rann of Kutch in the west, and the Gulf of Khambhat in the south.
β The major part of the basin is covered with agriculture, accounting for 74.68% of the total area.
β Tributaries: Wakal, the Hathmati, Vatrak, Sei
β It is a monsoon-fed river that originates in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan near Udaipur and meets in the Bay of Khambhat in Arabian sea.
β It is bounded by the Aravalli Hills in the north and north-east, the Rann of Kutch in the west, and the Gulf of Khambhat in the south.
β The major part of the basin is covered with agriculture, accounting for 74.68% of the total area.
β Tributaries: Wakal, the Hathmati, Vatrak, Sei
π The article discusses the increasing concern about the environmental impact of satellite debris and rocket launches.
Key Points:
β Growing Space Junk: The number of satellites in orbit is rapidly increasing, leading to a significant amount of space debris.
β Environmental Impact: When satellites and rocket stages re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, they release pollutants like aluminum, nitrogen oxides, and black carbon.
β Ozone Layer Threat: These pollutants can damage the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
β Climate Change: The emissions from rocket launches can contribute to climate change.
β Need for Regulation: There is a growing need for stricter regulations and international cooperation to address the issue of space debris and its environmental impact.
#prelims #gs3
Key Points:
β Growing Space Junk: The number of satellites in orbit is rapidly increasing, leading to a significant amount of space debris.
β Environmental Impact: When satellites and rocket stages re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, they release pollutants like aluminum, nitrogen oxides, and black carbon.
β Ozone Layer Threat: These pollutants can damage the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV radiation.
β Climate Change: The emissions from rocket launches can contribute to climate change.
β Need for Regulation: There is a growing need for stricter regulations and international cooperation to address the issue of space debris and its environmental impact.
#prelims #gs3
π The article discusses the controversy surrounding the use of satellite data to monitor stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
Key Points:
β Satellite Data: NASA's satellites, Aqua and Suomi NPP, are used to monitor farm fires in India.
β Data Discrepancies: There have been discrepancies between satellite data and ground-level observations regarding the extent of stubble burning.
β Farmer Awareness: Some farmers might be delaying their burning activities to avoid detection by satellites.
β Government Response: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been criticized for its handling of the issue and for not taking stricter measures to curb stubble burning.
β Policy Implications: The controversy highlights the need for accurate and reliable monitoring systems to assess the impact of stubble burning on air quality.
Key Points:
β Satellite Data: NASA's satellites, Aqua and Suomi NPP, are used to monitor farm fires in India.
β Data Discrepancies: There have been discrepancies between satellite data and ground-level observations regarding the extent of stubble burning.
β Farmer Awareness: Some farmers might be delaying their burning activities to avoid detection by satellites.
β Government Response: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been criticized for its handling of the issue and for not taking stricter measures to curb stubble burning.
β Policy Implications: The controversy highlights the need for accurate and reliable monitoring systems to assess the impact of stubble burning on air quality.
π The article discusses the significance of the European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission, which will be launched by ISRO.
Key Points:
β Proba-3 Mission: This mission aims to study the Sun's corona, a region difficult to observe due to its extreme brightness.
β Formation Flying: The mission involves two satellites flying in precise formation to create an artificial solar eclipse, blocking out the Sun's bright light.
β Scientific Instruments: Proba-3 carries instruments to measure solar radiation, electron fluxes, and the Sun's magnetic field.
β Benefits for India: The mission will provide valuable data for Indian scientists to study the Sun and space weather.
β Technological Demonstration: The mission showcases India's growing capabilities in space technology, particularly in precise satellite formation flying.
Key Points:
β Proba-3 Mission: This mission aims to study the Sun's corona, a region difficult to observe due to its extreme brightness.
β Formation Flying: The mission involves two satellites flying in precise formation to create an artificial solar eclipse, blocking out the Sun's bright light.
β Scientific Instruments: Proba-3 carries instruments to measure solar radiation, electron fluxes, and the Sun's magnetic field.
β Benefits for India: The mission will provide valuable data for Indian scientists to study the Sun and space weather.
β Technological Demonstration: The mission showcases India's growing capabilities in space technology, particularly in precise satellite formation flying.