Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 22 March 2024 | Download PDF

Meteorological Factors:

• Meteorologists attribute warming in southern India and reduced rainfall in the north during winter to changes in Western Disturbances and the jet stream pattern.

Implications:

• Northern India may experience abrupt transitions from cool winter-like temperatures to warmer conditions in March.
• Rajasthan showed the largest jump in warming rates from January to February (2.6°C higher).
• Nine States and territories, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, showed a significant January-February temperature difference, contributing to the disappearance of spring-like conditions.

• Climate Trends agency analyzed meteorological records from 1970 to present for 33 Indian States and Union Territories.

Key observations:

Warming Trends:

• All regions experienced net warming during winter.
• Manipur had the largest change in temperature since 1970 (2.3°C), while Delhi had the smallest (0.2°C).

• Winter is the fastest warming season for 12 out of 34 regions analyzed.

Regional Variations:

• Southern regions experienced strong warming in December and January.
  • Northern regions had weaker warming and even cooling during December and January.
• All regions warmed in February, with Jammu and Kashmir experiencing the highest warming (3.1°C) and Telangana the lowest (0.4°C).

About Jet Streams:

• Definition: Western disturbances refer to extratropical storm systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and move eastwards across the Middle East and into the Indian subcontinent.
• Impact on Weather: These disturbances bring precipitation, primarily in the form of rain or snow, to various parts of the Indian subcontinent, especially the northern and western regions, during the winter months.
• Winter Precipitation: In India, western disturbances are crucial for bringing winter rainfall to regions like northwest India, including Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
• Temperature Regulation: They often lead to a decrease in temperature, bringing relief from winter dryness and contributing to agricultural activities by replenishing soil moisture.
• Jet Stream Connection: Western disturbances are closely associated with changes in the polar jet stream, influencing their intensity and trajectory across the Indian subcontinent.

Situated in Baran district, Rajasthan, Ramgarh Crater is designated as a geo-heritage site by the Rajasthan government.

Key points:

• Formed approximately 165 million years ago due to a meteor impact, it is a 3-kilometer diameter crater contributing significantly to the region’s ecological balance and biodiversity.
• Recognized as the Ramgarh Conservation Reserve, it is safeguarded under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to preserve its unique ecological and cultural heritage.
• The presence of the Pushkar Talab complex within the crater is acknowledged as wetlands under the Wetland (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017.

Geo-Heritage Site/National Geological Monuments:

• Geoheritage sites have significant scientific, educational, cultural, or aesthetic value due to their geological features.
  • They often showcase unique rock formations, fossils, or landscapes crucial for education, research, cultural significance, or visual appeal.
  • The Geological Survey of India (GSI) and State governments safeguard these sites, declaring them as geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments.
• Established in 1851, GSI operates under the Ministry of Mines, headquartered in Kolkata, focusing on national geoscientific information creation and mineral resource assessment.

• Lianas, woody vines that climb trees, restrict tree growth by competing for sunlight in the canopy.
  • They have lower carbon sequestering capacity compared to trees, which increases the threat to carbon storage.
• Lianas can accelerate global warming by reducing forests’ efficacy as carbon sinks and disrupting carbon cycles.

Challenges:

• Lianas grow in disturbed forests and at higher temperatures, often outcompeting trees for sunshine and resources.
  • Their resilience to climatic stress gives them a competitive advantage, especially in areas with more extreme conditions due to global warming.
• Increased lianas can harm tree growth, reduce regeneration, and disrupt nutrient cycles, making forests less resilient to future disturbances.

India hosts 41st IPHE meeting, focusing on accelerating the hydrogen economy.

Key points:

• • Established in 2003, the IPHE is an inter-governmental alliance currently comprising 23 member countries and the European Commission. 
  • Its primary objective is to facilitate and expedite the transition to clean and efficient energy and mobility systems utilizing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
  • The IPHE serves as a platform for organizing and executing international research, development, demonstration, and commercial utilization activities related to hydrogen and fuel cells. 
  • Moreover, the IPHE informs various stakeholders, such as policymakers and the public, about the benefits and challenges associated with establishing widespread commercial hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
• Members: Australia, Canada, European Commission, India, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Chile, France, Italy, Norway, UAE, Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, Brazil, Costa Rica, Iceland, South Korea, Singapore, and the United States.

• World Water Day is an annual United Nations observance day held on 22 March 
• It highlights the importance of freshwater and advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

About:

• The first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993
• The theme for the first World Water Day in 1993 was ‘Water for Life.’

Theme 2024:

• This year’s theme is “Water for Peace.” 
• It highlights the potential of water as a resource for cooperation and stability. 
• By managing water resources sustainably and ensuring equitable access, we can foster peace and prosperity for all.

SDG:

• Clean water and sanitation is SDG 5 out of 17 SDGs

Political Career Highlights

• Rout was elected to the Odisha Assembly seven times, representing the Erasama constituency in Jagatsinghpur five times and Paradip twice, between 1977 and 2014.
• He served as the Panchayati Raj Minister in the Janata Dal government under Biju Patnaik from 1990 to 1995.
• Rout joined the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in 1997 and served as a minister multiple times in the BJD government under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, handling portfolios like Health, Excise, and Agriculture.
• In 2019, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being expelled from the BJD for ‘anti-party’ activities. He unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly elections from the Erasama-Balikuda constituency.
• The BJD revoked his expulsion on January 1 this year.

• • The Election Commission of India (ECI) has scheduled four-phase elections in Odisha on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
• Odisha’s Ganjam and Kandhamal districts will introduce eco-friendly polling stations during the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Key points:

• These green booths will be plastic-free and decorated with biodegradable materials.
• The initiative aims to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and attract more voters to the polling stations.
• Similar eco-friendly booths have been set up in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Meghalaya, Assam, and Kerala in the past.

During a joint combing operation conducted by the police, forest department, and special task force personnel along the periphery of the Kuldiha sanctuary Six poachers were arrested and several country-made guns were seized.

About:

• • The Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is a captivating natural reserve located in the Balasore district of Odisha, India. 
  • Established in 1984, the sanctuary spans an area of 272.75 square kilometers, encompassing mixed deciduous forests dominated by the stately Sal trees.
• Key species found here include the majestic Bengal Tiger, elusive Leopard, mighty Elephant, sturdy Gaur, graceful Sambar, vibrant Peafowl, and various Hornbill species. 

• Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as an essential research hub for environmental and animal studies.

• World Poetry Day is celebrated annually on March 21st
• It is a day to celebrate the beauty and significance of poetry. 
• It was established by UNESCO in 1999

It aims to:

• Promote linguistic diversity: 
• Poetry uses language in creative ways, highlighting the richness of different cultures and languages.

1. Support endangered languages: 

• World Poetry Day brings attention to languages at risk of disappearing, ensuring their voices are heard.
• Honor poets and revive traditions: 

• It’s a day to recognize the contributions of poets and encourage the oral tradition of poetry recitals.

1. Make poetry accessible: 

• World Poetry Day promotes the reading, writing, teaching, and enjoyment of poetry for everyone.

Theme:

• The theme for World Poetry Day 2024 is “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”

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