Asian Elephants 

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Environment & Ecology-Important species 

 Why in News? 

  British lawmakers have written a letter to the Prime Minister of India to prevent the extinction of the Asian Elephants. 

 Asian Elephants: 

 · Asian elephants are considered as the largest living land animal in Asia. 

 · Asian Elephants are distributed throughout the Southeast Asia. 

 · They are distributed from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south and Borneo in the east. 

 · Asian Elephants are further divided into 3 subspecies. 

They are: a) Indian Elephants b) Sumatran Elephants c) Sri Lankan Elephants 

 · Among them Indian Elephants accounts for the majority of elephants on the continent.

 · The Protection status of Asian Elephants: 

  a) IUCN Red List-Endangered

b) Wildlife protection Act, 1972-Schedule-I

c) CITES-Appendix I 

 Causes for the decline in elephant population:

 · Poaching 

 · Human-elephant conflict

 · Habitat loss

 · Habitat Degradation 

 Distribution in India: 

 · The following states have the highest share of elephant population:

  1. Karnataka (6,049) 2. Assam (5,719) 3. Kerala (3,054) 

 · The South Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu accounts for 44% of the elephant population

 Initiatives by the GOI: 

 · Project Elephant-Launched in the year 1992.

· It is a centrally sponsored scheme to protect the elephants. 

 · Hathi Meri Sathi-Introduced by the Ministry of Environment and Forest in partnership with Wildlife Trust of India. 

 · The Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)-established by the CITES.

Source: The Hindu

Klotho 

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Science & Technology 

 Why in News?

· Klotho injection helps in boosting the memory in rhesus monkeys.

 · The Rhesus Monkeys which are aged about 22 years (65 human years) became better at remembering where the food was hidden after receiving the injection.

 About:

 · It is a protein which is naturally found at the surface of cells of some specific tissues. 

 · They are generally found in: 

 1. Blood 

 2. Urine

 3. Cerebrospinal fluid 

 4. It is even expressed at particularly high levels in Kidney. 

 · It is known as longevity factor as it is linked to the longer lives. 

 · It is extremely helpful in the treatment of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer. 

 · It has potential clinical application in the diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). 

 Rhesus Monkeys: 

· They are the terrestrial, arboreal and diurnal mammal. 

 · They spread on the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia and China. 

 · IUCN Red List-Least Concerned.

 · They are intelligent animals which can adapt many habitats.

 · In India they are considered as Sacred. 

 Source: The Hindu

Forest Conservation Act, 1980 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Environment & Ecology 

 Why in News? 

  Parliamentary committees proposed amendments to the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

Forest Conservation Act, 1980: 

 · It was introduced to control deforestation and conserve forests and their resources.

 Objectives: 

 · It wants to conserve forests and provides sustainable management.

 · It regulates the diversion of forestland for the non-forestry purposes like mining, industries, infrastructure development etc. 

 Features of the Act:

· The Act mandates that the diversion of forest land to the non-forestry purposes can only be done with the prior approval by the central government.

 · So, it helps in balancing the economic development and the environmental conservation. 

 · This Act mandates the payment of compensation for the loss of forest cover because of the diversion of the forestland. 

 · The compensation collected under this scheme will be utilized for afforestation and reforestation activities. 

 · An equal area of non-forest land should be afforested or reforested as a compensatory measure.

 · Before approving the diversion of land, the state governments and tribal communities should be consulted. 

 · It ensures that the views of local people are taken into account. · It mentions about the concept deemed forests. 

 · Deemed forests are those which are not officially forests but have ecologically sensitive and have forest-like characteristics. 

 · These areas are also require the central government’s approval for any diversion.

 · Penalties: It includes imprisonment of up to 15 months and fine up to 10,000 rupees or both based on the violation of Act.

 Source: The Hindu

Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Policies 

Why in News? 

The treatment for common ophthalmic and ENT problem, basic oral health care will be added by the end of August in Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.

 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres:

· It was established under the Ayushman Bharat Program. · It was started in the year 2018 which aims in bringing the promotive, curative, rehabilitative aspects of the universal health coverage.

 · At present there are more than 1.6 lakh centres.

 · These centres provide a wide range of health care services like maternal and child care to communicable and non-communicable diseases.

 · It provides free essential medicines and diagnostic services. 

 · It even promotes wellness activities like Yoga, Zumba, meditation etc. 

 Ayushman Bharat Scheme: 

 · It was launched in the year 2018 under the recommendation of National Health Policy 2017.

 · It was introduced to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage. 

 Key features: 

 · It is the world’s largest health insurance scheme which is fully financed by the government. 

 · It covers 5 lakh rupees per family per year for both the secondary and tertiary care.

 · It provides the cover of 5 lakh rupees for both Public and Private Hospitalisation.

 · It promotes the cashless access to health care services for the beneficiary at the point of service. 

 Eligibility: · Any person irrespective of size of the family, age or gender.

 · All the pre-existing conditions under the scheme are covered from day one. 

 · It covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization expenses.

 · It includes the diagnostics and medicines also.

 · The services under the scheme includes approximately 1,393 procedures.

National Mission for Clean Ganga 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Policies 

Why in News? 

 · The 13^th edition of National Mission for Clean Ganga has taken place recently. 

 · It is titled as Igniting Young Minds: A Global Campaign.

 · It aims to invoke participation from Young Water Sustainers to build tomorrow’s global sustainability leaders. 

 National Mission for Clean Ganga:

· It was started in the year 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 

 · It is implemented by the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga. 

 Objectives:

· Its main aim is to rehabilitate the existing Sewage Treatment Plants.

· It wants to curb the pollution at exit points to check the inflow of sewage.

 · It aims to restore the surface flow and ground water. 

 · It wants to conserve the aquatic biodiversity. 

 · It allows the participation of public in the process of protection, rejuvenation of the river. 

 Related Initiatives: 

 · Namami Gange Programme-Started in 2014 for the conservation and rejuvenation of River Ganga

 · Ganga Action Plan-It was the first River action plan initiated in the year 1985 to improve the water quality in the river. 

 · Clean Ganga Fund-Introduced in 2014 to clean up the Ganga River 

 · Bhuvan-Ganga Web App-It mentions about the involvement of the public to know about the pollution in Ganga 

 Ganga River: 

 · It originates as the Bhagirathi River at Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand state.

 · Bhagirathi river is joined by the Alakanada River at Devaprayag.

· From Devaprayag it is called as the River Ganga. 

 · The river system of Ganga extends across 4 countries.

 They are: 1. Bangladesh 2. Nepal 3. Tibet (China) 4. India. 

 · It is the longest river in our country which covers 2,510 km of mountains.

 · The Ganga River joins the Brahmaputra river in Bangladesh. 

 · It continues under the name Padma from there.

 · Some of the tributaries of River Ganga are: 

  1. Yamuna 2. Son 3. Chambal 4. Meghna etc.

Floods & Landslides 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Geography

Why in News? 

  16 people killed because of heavy rains which triggers floods and landslips in North India.

Floods: 

 · Floods are defined as the overflow of water which submerges the land that is usually dry. 

 · Generally, floods are divided into 5 types. 

They are: 

 · Flash Floods-It is the sudden surges in water levels during an intense rainfall 

 · If the flooding is created by the heavy rainfall in less than 6 hours of time of the rainfall then it is known as flash floods. 

 · River floods-This type of floods occur when rainfall or other internal source of river increases the water level of the river.

 · Coastal Floods-They are caused by the tropical cyclones and Tsunami. 

 · Pluvial Floods-It occurs in areas which cannot hold water resulted in forming puddles and ponds. 

 · Urban Floods-If the drainage system of urban areas fails to absorb the rainwater then the urban floods are created.

 Causes: 

 · Cloud Burst . Heavy Rainfall · Cyclone · Insufficient Drainage System · Siltation · Deforestation · Collapse of Dams etc.

 Landslides:

· They are defined as the mass movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope. 

 · The places of Himalayan Tract, North-east India, Western Ghats, Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu are landslide-prone areas in our country. 

 Causes:

· Earthquakes · Heavy Rainfall · Mining · Infrastructure Development · Climate Change · Nature of Rivers etc.

El Nino

Syllabus: Prelims-Geography 

Why in News? 

 India’s Monsoon rains are disrupted by the El-Nino. 

 El Nino: 

 · It is known as Christ Child in Spanish 

 · It is the warming of sea waters in Central-East equatorial Pacific. 

 · It occurs every few years

 · During the El Nino the surface temperatures in the equatorial pacific rises.

 · This weakens the trade winds-east-west winds that blows near the equator. 

 · The easterly trade winds which blow from the America towards Asia changes direction to turn into westerlies. 

 · So it brings warm water from the Western Pacific towards America 

 Effects: 

· It causes the dry, warm winter in the Northern U.S. and Canada. 

 · It will bring drought to Indonesia and Australia

 · India is very much linked to the El Nino which supress the rainfall in the monsoon season. 

 · Due to the upwelling of deeper water is reduced, Phytoplankton will also be reduced · Fish which eat the phytoplankton are affected which is followed by other organisms.

 · El Nino brings the warm waters disrupting the ecosystems. 

 Important Points: 

 · This year Monsoon in India was delayed by three weeks. 

 · The reasons for the delay and weak monsoon in India are related to El-Nino

 · It will be strengthened in the following months.

 Source: DE

International Maritime Organization 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Institutions 

 Why in News? 

  UN International Maritime Organization wants to reach net zero by 2050.

International Maritime Organization: 

· It is a specialized agency of the United States.

· It is established to improve the safety and security of the international shipping.

 · It aims to prevent the marine and atmospheric pollution by the ships.

 · Its main function is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry.

 · The framework should be fair and effective, universally adopted and also universally implemented. 

 · The IMO is not responsible for enforcing its own policies. 

 · Headquarters: London, United Kingdom 

 · Membership: 175 countries have membership in IMO. 

 · India is also one of the members of IMO. 

 · It has joined the IMO in the year 1959. 

 · India is listed as the 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade by the IMO. 

 Important conventions of IMO: 

 · International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). 

 · International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from the Ships (MARPOL)

· Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 

 Source: DE

Bastille Day 

 Syllabus: Prelims-Important Events 

Why in News? 

  The Indian Navy will participate in the Bastille Day in Paris, France. 

 Bastille Day:

· It is the National Day of France which is celebrated on 14^th July every year. 

 · The fall of Bastille is considered as the beginning of the French Revolution. 

 · It marks the beginning of intense violence and social upheaval in France. 

 · The Bastille was nothing but a fortress prison. 

 · It was located in the heart of Paris. 

 · It had become a symbol of royal tyranny and oppression. 

 · The people of Paris were unhappy with the ruling of King Louis XVI.

· On July 14, 1789, many people were gathered in front of Bastille demanding the release of political prisoners.

 · They also demanded the seizure of fortress arms and ammunition.

 · But the Governor of Bastille had refused which led to the hostile situation between the people of Paris and the Bastille defenders.

 · After many hours of fighting the Bastille fell. 

 · The people of Paris then captured the fortress.

 French Revolution in brief:

· It occurred between the years 1789 and 1799. 

 · It was a significant period of social and political upheaval in France. 

 · Results of the French Revolution: 

 · It resulted in overthrowing of French Monarchy 

 · It resulted in establishment of Republic

· Thousands of people were executed including Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

Source: PIB

Questions

1.Consider the following statements regarding Asian Elephants: 

 1.Kerala state has the highest number of elephants

. 2. The status of elephants on IUCN Red List is critically endangered.

 3. Project Elephant was launched in the year 1998. 

 How many of the above statements are incorrect?

 a) Only One

 b) Only two 

 c) Only three 

 d) None

2.Consider the following statements regarding Rhesus Monkeys 

 1.They are terrestrial, arboreal and diurnal mammal 

 2. They are endemic to only India. 

 3. The IUCN status of these monkeys are vulnerable. 

 How many of the above statements are correct?

 a) Only One

 b) Only two

 c) Only three 

 d) None

3.Consider the following statements regarding Forest Conservation Act,1980: 

 Statement-I: The Act mandates that the diversion of forest land to the non-forestry purposes can only be done with the prior approval by the State government. 

 Statement-II: Before approving the diversion of land, the state governments and tribal communities should be consulted. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

4.Consider the following statements regarding Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centres:

 Statement-I: It was started in the year 2017 under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

 Statement-II: It provides free essential medicines and diagnostic services. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

5.Consider the following statements regarding National Mission for Clean Ganga

 1.It was started in the year 2011 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 

 2. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 

 3.Ganga River originates as the Bhagirathi river at Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand state.

 How many of the above statements are correct? 

 a) Only One 

 b) Only two 

 c) Only three

 d) None

6.Consider the following statements regarding Floods: 

 Statement-I: If the flooding is created by the excessive rainfall in less than 8 hours of time then it is known as flash floods. 

 Statement-II: Pluvial Floods occurs in areas which cannot hold water resulted in forming puddles and ponds. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? 

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

7.Consider the following statements regarding El-Nino: 

 Statement-I: El-Nino brings heavy rainfall to Indonesia and Australia 

 Statement-II: India is very much linked to the El Nino which supress the rainfall in the monsoon season. 

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

 d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

8.Consider the following statements regarding International Maritime Organization: 

 1.Its headquarters is located in U.S.A. 

 2. India is listed as the 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade by the IMO. 

 3. The IMO is not responsible for enforcing its own policies. 

 How many of the above statements are correct? 

 a) Only One 

 b) Only two

 c) Only three 

 d) None

9.Consider the following statements regarding Bastille Day: 

 Statement-I: It is the National Day of France which is celebrated on 14^th July every year.

 Statement-II: The fall of Bastille is considered as the beginning of the French Revolution.

 Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

 a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I. 

 c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect 

d) Statement-II  is incorrect but Statement-I is correct

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