Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 01 April 2024 | Download PDF

• The METOC seminar ‘Meghayan 2024’ was conducted on 28th March 2024 by the School of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology (SNOM) and Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre (INMAC) at Southern Naval Command.

Key points:

• The seminar commemorated World Meteorological Day, which marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 23rd March 1950.
• The theme for the seminar was ‘At the Frontline of Climate Action’, aligning with WMO’s focus for 2024.
• An indigenous mobile application, INDRA (Indian Naval Dynamic Resource for Weather Analysis), was launched to facilitate weather-related decision-making.
• The application was developed by BISAG (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics) in coordination with the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology, Indian Navy. 

• Telangana is currently grappling with forest fires in the Tadvai region of the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu and the Amrabad Tiger Reserve. 

Key points:

• The state’s dry season, typically from March to June, has exacerbated the situation due to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall, creating ideal conditions for wildfires. 

Causes of the fires 

• • Mainly include human activity, such as campfires left unattended by people fishing in the nearby river, which can easily ignite the dry vegetation.
• Chenchu tribes in the region sometimes burn trees to collect mahua flowers more easily. 

About:

• Established in 1952, the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary stands as one of Telangana’s oldest sanctuaries, revered for its ecological significance.
• Originating in the sanctuary, the Dayyam Vagu River intricately divides the sanctuary into two distinct sections.
• The sanctuary is graced by the presence of the Godavari River, further enhancing its natural allure.
• The sanctuary boasts a rich flora, predominantly adorned by deciduous teak trees, interspersed with axlewood, palas, tendu, and dhobi trees, forming a diverse canopy conducive to supporting various animal species.
• Among its diverse wildlife inhabitants are tigers, panthers, gaurs, sambar deer, spotted deer, nilgai, blackbucks, jackals, foxes, mongoose, and rodents.
• The indigenous Gond and Pardhan tribes harmoniously coexist with the sanctuary, actively participating in conservation efforts and responsibly utilizing forest resources for sustenance.
• The majestic Bogatha Waterfall graces the sanctuary’s core area with its mesmerizing presence.
• Additionally, the sanctuary hosts the biennial festival of Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, a tribal commemoration honoring the valor of tribal warriors Sammakka and Sarakka.

• Russia’s P-800 Onyx supersonic cruise missile, utilized in attacks on Ukrainian targets, is set to become deadlier with a new target seeker.

New Seeker for Enhanced Accuracy

• Upgraded with new active homing heads for increased precision in hitting ground targets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
• Development aimed at ensuring Onyx’s invulnerability to electronic warfare systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Overview of P-800 Onyx

• Developed by Reutov NPO Mashinostroeniya, it targets surface ship groups and ground targets amidst severe fire and electronic countermeasures.
• Carried by Russian Navy surface ships and submarines, utilized in Syria against terrorist ground targets.

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has only utilized 20% of the funds collected for mitigating air pollution in Delhi-NCR and environmental protection.
• Only Rs 156.33 crore out of Rs 777.69 crore collected has been disbursed.

Key points:

• Funds are collected under two categories: Environment Protection Charge (EPC) and Environmental Compensation (EC).

Environment Protection Charge (EPC):

• Mandated by the Supreme Court, dealers/manufacturers pay a one percent EPC on the ex-showroom price of new diesel vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above, registered only in Delhi and NCR.

Environmental Compensation (EC):

• Ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), used to rejuvenate and protect the environment through various means such as strengthening laboratories, monitoring networks, and compliance with NGT orders.

CPCB:

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. 
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

• A recent study has highlighted that even minor tangles in fishing gear can significantly decrease the chances of female North Atlantic right whales reproducing.
• These whales inhabit the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and are considered critical for conservation due to their struggle for survival.

Habitat and Migration Patterns

• They are migratory, moving between feeding and calving grounds.
• In summer, they feed in cooler waters near Canada and the northeastern US, and in winter, they migrate south to warmer waters off the coasts of Florida and Georgia for breeding.

Unique Characteristics

• They have rough, raised patches of skin on their heads called callosities, which are used for identification.
• Right whales are slower swimmers, making them more prone to ship strikes.
• Unlike most whales, they lack a dorsal fin, making them easily distinguishable.

Role in Marine Ecosystem

• Right whales feed by filtering plankton from the water, which helps cycle nutrients and promotes healthy phytoplankton growth.

Threats to Survival

• Entanglement in fishing gear, particularly lobster trap lines, is a major threat.
• Collisions with ships are also significant due to their slow speed and shallow-water preference.
• Climate change impacts on ocean temperatures and currents could affect their food sources and migration patterns.

Protection Status

• The IUCN Red List categorizes them as “critically endangered,” with fewer than 360 individuals remaining.
• Various international agreements and laws aim to protect them, including regulations on fishing gear and designated shipping lanes.

• Utkal Divas, also known as Utakala Dibasha, is celebrated annually on April 1st.
• It commemorates the formation of Odisha as a state, following a struggle for recognition as an independent entity.
• The day is also referred to as Odisha Foundation Day and Vishuva Milan.

Historical Context: 

• Under British rule, Odisha was part of the Bengal presidency, along with present-day Bihar and West Bengal.

Importance of Odisha Day:

• Odisha’s historical importance dates back to ancient times when it was known as Kalinga, ruled by kings like Ashoka and Kharavela.
• Kharavela’s reign is credited with establishing Odisha’s reputation as a center of art, architecture, and sculpture.
• The state witnessed various ruling powers, including the Mughals and British, before its formation as a separate province.

Struggle for Independence:

• Odisha’s quest for autonomy culminated on April 1, 1936, with the formation of the new province.
• Notable leaders such as Utkala Gouraba, Madhusudan Das, and Gopabandhu Das played pivotal roles in this movement.
• The state was initially called Orissa until it was officially renamed Odisha through the Orissa Bill in March 2011.

• Rushikulya River, known as the lifeline of Ganjam district, is drying up rapidly, raising concerns among residents, especially farmers.
• Scanty rainfall and rapidly increasing temperatures are the primary reasons behind the river drying up even before the onset of summer.

Key points:

• The ‘Baruni Snan’ ceremony, scheduled for April 6, draws residents of Aska, Purusottampur, and Pratappur, among others, for a dip in the river. However, with the river drying up, concerns arise about the feasibility of the event.

About:

• Originating from Rushimal hill in Kandhamal district, the river flows through Ganjam district before merging with the Bay of Bengal.
• The Rushikulya originates from Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’. 
• It meets the Bay of Bengal at Puruna Bandha in Ganjam. Its tributaries are the Baghua, the Dhanei and the Badanadi etc. 

• The state of Odisha has experienced a significant surge in forest fires, with incidents quadrupling in just a month, largely due to rising temperatures.

Key points:

• The number of forest fire incidents in Odisha rose from 957 at the end of February to 4,525 by the end of March.
• A staggering 3,572 fire points were detected in March alone, with half of them occurring in the final week of the month.
• According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), 1,792 forest fire points were identified in Odisha between March 25 and 31.
• The sudden rise in temperatures is believed to have triggered this surge in forest fires.

• Blindness Prevention Week is observed annually from April 1st to 7th.
• It is an initiative by the Indian government to raise awareness about preventable causes of blindness and promote eye care.
• Aim: Educate the public about eye health, early detection of eye diseases, and the importance of regular eye checkups.
• Significance: India has a high prevalence of blindness, and many cases are preventable. This week aims to address this issue.
• Activities: Eye screening camps, awareness programs, and distribution of informative materials are organized during this week.

Theme:

• Theme for 2024 Blindness Prevention Week is “Taking timely treatments for age-related eye conditions”

• International Day of Zero Waste is celebrated annually on 30th March.
  • It highlights the importance of bolstering waste management globally and the need to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.
  • It was adopted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 2nd March 2022.
• The theme for the International Day of Zero Waste 2024 is “Towards a Circular Future.”

About:

• Zero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste generation. 
• To eliminate the WastePollution, one must bolster waste management while improving resource recovery and substantially reducing waste generation. 
• Prevention, reduction, reuse, repurposing and recycling are critical to this endeavor.

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