Prelims Pointers for 23-March-2024

vajiramandravi.com/upsc-daily-current-affairs/prelims-pointers/d/23-March-2024/

Overview:

Researchers have discovered the pivotal role that sea cucumbers play in maintaining
the health of the world’s reefs.

About Sea Cucumber

These are part of a larger animal group called echinoderms, and are invertebrates
that live on the seafloor.

Their body shape is similar to a cucumber, but they have small tentacle-like tube feet
that are used for locomotion and feeding.

There are about 1,250 species of sea cucumber, all of which belong to the taxonomic
class Holothuroidea.

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 They are found in all marine environments throughout the world, from shallow to
deep-sea environments. Sea cucumbers are benthic, meaning they live on the ocean
floor.

They excrete inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, enhancing the productivity of

benthic biota.

Reproduction:
Sea cucumbers exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction.

Unlike most terrestrial animals, sea cucumber eggs undergo external

fertilization—females release eggs into the water that are fertilized when they
come into contact with sperm that males have released.

Conservation status:
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I

CITES: Appendix II

Q1) What are echinoderms?

Echinoderms are named for the spines or bumps covering the outer surface of the bodies of
many of them. Examples of echinoderms include sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers,
brittle stars, and feather stars (Fig. 3.83). Although they may appear very different,
echinoderms all have two major defining characteristics that set them apart from all other
animals: a water vascular system and five-sided radial symmetry.

Source: Sea Cucumbers Found To Play A Crucial Role In Reef Health

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Overview:

The principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has initiated
action on the Netravati Waterfront Promenade Development Project in Mangaluru.

About Netravati River

Origin: It rises between Kudrermukh and Ballalaryan Durga in the Dakshina Kannada
district of Karnataka at an elevation of about 1000 m.

It flows generally in a North-South direction for 40 km up to Gohattu, where it takes a

turn towards the West and there after flows in East-West direction up to its out fall
into the Arabian Sea near Mangalore.

Tributary: The Kumaradhara, a major left-bank tributary joins near the village
Uppinangadi.

The climate of the basin is characterized by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and
oppressive weather in the hot season.

What is National Green Tribunal?

It has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.

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 It is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of
the filing of the same.

Composition
It comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and the Expert
Members.

They shall hold office for a term of 5 years and are not eligible for
reappointment.

The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with

the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

A Selection Committee shall be formed by the central government to appoint

the Judicial Members and Expert Members.

There are to be at least 10 and a maximum of 20 full-time Judicial members

and Expert Members in the tribunal.

New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal, and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata
and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.

Q1) What are Tribunals in India?

Tribunals are judicial or quasi-judicial institutions established by law. They intend to provide a
platform for faster adjudication as compared to traditional courts, as well as expertise on
certain subject matters. It performs a number of functions, like adjudicating disputes,
determining rights between contesting parties, making an administrative decision, reviewing
an existing administrative decision, and so forth.

Source: Netravati riverfront project: NGT takes cognisance of CRZ & environmental norm
violation allegations, seeks report

Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group (STEAG)

23-03-2024 1 min read

Prelims: Defence & Security

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Overview:

The Indian Army has initiated a significant development in its technological

capabilities by establishing the Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group
(STEAG).

About Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group

It is a unit dedicated to researching and evaluating futuristic communication

technologies like 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and quantum
computing for military applications.

Objective: Its primary objective is to nurture technologies across wired and wireless
systems, covering a wide spectrum of domains including electronic exchanges,
mobile communications, software-defined radios, electronic warfare systems, and
more.

The unit will conduct technical scouting, evaluation, development, and management
of core ICT solutions while providing user interface support through the maintenance
and upgrade of contemporary technologies.

It will help bridge the divide between the armed forces on the one hand
and industry and academia on the other.

It is aligned with the tenets of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Start-Up India.

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 Significance
It will play a crucial role in fostering self-reliance in high-end communication
technologies, which have traditionally been dominated by countries with
advanced economies and research ecosystems.

The establishment of this Center of Excellence is expected to be a game-

changer in India's quest for technological self-sufficiency.

Q1) What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate
human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. On its own or combined with other
technologies (e.g., sensors, geolocation, robotics) AI can perform tasks that would otherwise
require human intelligence or intervention. Digital assistants, GPS guidance, autonomous
vehicles, and generative AI tools (like Open AI's Chat GPT) are just a few examples of AI in
the daily news and our daily lives.

Source: Army raises specialised technology unit ‘STEAG’ for future warfare

Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02

23-03-2024 1 min read

Prelims: Science & Technology

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Overview:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted the
Pushpak Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02 landing experiment at the
Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.

About Reusable Landing Vehicle (RLV) LEX 02

This landing experiment is the second of the series conducted at Aeronautical Test
Range.

After the RLV-LEX-01 mission was accomplished last year, RLV-LEX-02

demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of reusable launch vehicle (RLV)
from off-nominal initial conditions at release from helicopter.

How was the experiment conducted?

The RLV LEX-02 mission demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of

the reusable launch vehicle from challenging initial conditions after release from a
helicopter.

It is named Pushpak, the winged vehicle was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook
helicopter and released from an altitude of 4.5 km.

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 It autonomously approached the runway with cross-range corrections and landed
precisely, coming to a halt using its brake parachute, landing gear brakes, and nose
wheel steering system

The winged body and all flight systems used in RLV-LEX-01 were reused in the RLV-
LEX-02 mission after due certification/ clearances.

The mission was accomplished by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) along with
the Liquid Propulsion System Centre (LPSC) and the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit
(IISU).

Reusable Launch Vehicle

It is essentially a space plane with a low lift to drag ratio requiring an approach at
high glide angles that necessitates a landing at high velocities of 350 kmph.

It utilises several indigenous systems. Localised navigation systems based on

pseudolite systems, instrumentation, and sensor systems, etc were developed by
ISRO.

Q1) What is a Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD)?

RLV-TD Programme is envisioned as a series of technology demonstration missions that

serve towards realising a fully reusable Two Stage To Orbit (TSTO) vehicle.

Source: ISRO successfully conducts ‘Pushpak’ Reusable Landing Vehicle landing

experiment

Vechur cow

23-03-2024 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

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Overview:

Dr. Sosamma Iype won the Padma Shri in 2022 for one of her remarkable work of
saving and resurrecting a breed of indigenous cattle, the Vechur cow.

About Vechur Cow

It is one of the rare dwarf cattle breeds of India, it is considered to be the smallest
cattle breed in the world.

It is known by the name of a place Vechur - a small place by the side of Vembanad
Lake near Vaikam in Kottayam district of South Kerala.

These are light red, black or fawn and white in colour.

The animals are well adapted to the hot and humid climate of the area. Milk
production is relatively higher than any other dwarf cattle.

It is docile, short, disease-resistant and easy to maintain with low food requirement
as compared to other crossbred species.

It is resistant to Mastitis (blockage of teats in the udder), foot and mouth diseases,
and respiratory infections and require almost no veterinary care.

The medicinal property of its milk has been accepted by Ayurveda too. Since the
Vechur cow milk has got higher proportion of smaller fat globules and saturated fatty
acids, it would be therapeutically useful in malabsorption syndrome.

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 It is also considered to be the ideal food for children and convalescents.

Q1) What is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)?

It is a highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The
disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. It does not
affect horses, dogs, or cats.

Source: The curious case of Sosamma Iype and the Vechur cow

What is a Gulaal Gota?

23-03-2024 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

Overview:

With Holi set to be celebrated on March 25, in some parts of Rajasthan’s Jaipur, an old
tradition will play out where colours will be thrown through a unique medium called
the “Gulaal Gota”.

About Gulaal Gota

It is a small ball made of lac, filled with dry gulaal.

Gulaal Gotas are made by Muslim lac makers, called Manihaars, only in Jaipur.

The tradition of using Gulal Gota goes back to 400 years when the erstwhile Jaipur
royal family members would play Holi with them.

How is it prepared?

The making of Gulaal Gotas involves first boiling the lac in water to make it flexible.
Lac is a resinous substance that is secreted by certain insects. It is also used to
make bangles.

After shaping the lac, colour is added to it. At first red, yellow, and green are added
as other colours can be obtained through their combinations.

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 After the processing is done, artisans heat the lac. It is then blown into a spherical
shape with the help of a blower called “phunkni”.

Then, gulaal is filled in the balls before they are sealed with lac.

Lac is brought from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and the female scale insect is one
of the sources of lac.

The lac insects also yield resin, lac dye and lac wax.

Q1) What is resin?

In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of
plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. Plants secrete resins for
their protective benefits in response to injury. The resin protects the plant from insects and
pathogens.

Source: Explained: On Holi, a look at Jaipur’s traditional celebrations with ‘Gulaal Gota’

Overview:

Recently, the Prime Minister of India received Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the
‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, during his two-day State visit to the neighbouring nation.

About Order of the Druk Gyalpo

It stands as Bhutan’s most esteemed civilian accolade, reserved for individuals who
have demonstrated exceptional contributions to society, embodying values of
service, integrity, and leadership.

As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was
instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour
system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

The award has been conferred to the Prime Minister of India in recognition of
outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his
distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people.

The present Prime Minister of India became the first foreign head of government to
receive Bhutan’s highest civilian honour.

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 Others to receive this award include Her Majesty The Royal Queen Grandmother
Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup in
2008; and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018.

Q1) What is Chorten ?

It is an important religious monument in Buddhism, symbolizing Buddha’s presence. It also
holds precious Buddhist relics and sometimes even preserved bodies of renowned lamas.
Tibetans believe that performing Koras of the monument is an act of high merit.

Source: PM Modi conferred with Bhutan’s highest civilian award: What is ‘Order of the Druk
Gyalpo’

Overview:

Ministry of Electronics & IT Startup Hub is empowering innovation, driving growth and
forging success within the vast landscape of Startup Mahakhumbh 2024.

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About MeitY Startup Hub

It is established as an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the aegis of Digital

India Corporation (DIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY), Government of India.

It is aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the technology sector.

It supports startups, incubators, and Centers of Excellence (CoEs) through various

programs and initiatives to drive digital transformation and promote India's leadership
in emerging technologies.

Mission: It has a mission to build a conducive innovation and start-up ecosystem by

bringing together various technology innovation stakeholders and paving the way
toward a strong economy built on the twin engines of innovation and technological
advancement.

It acts as a national coordination, facilitation, and monitoring center that will integrate
all the incubation centers, start-ups, and innovation-related activities of MeitY.

What is Digital India Corporation?

It has been set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY),
Government of India, to innovate, develop and deploy ICT and other emerging
technologies for the benefit of the common man.

It plays the role of a leader in promoting e-Governance by taking forward the projects
and activities of the Digital India Programme, to facilitate its stakeholders to realise
its goals.

It also provides strategic support to Ministries & Departments, both at Central and
State level for carrying forward the mission of the Digital India Programme by way of
Capacity Building for e-governance projects, promoting best practices, encouraging
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), nurturing innovation and technology in various
domains.

Q1) What is the Digital India mission?

It is a programme to transform India into digital empowered society and knowledge economy.
Digital India is transformational in nature and would ensure that Government services are
available to citizens electronically. Digital India programme was launched on 1st July, 2015 to
enable digital delivery of services to citizens.

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Source: MeitY Startup Hub: Empowering innovation, driving growth and forging success
within the vast landscape of Startup Mahakhumbh

Overview:

The Galapagos Islands, a beautiful destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is
facing a pressing issue: rising visitor numbers threatening the delicate balance of this
unique ecosystem.

About Galapagos Islands

Location: It is situated in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 600 miles off the coast of
Ecuador.

The Archipelago is a group of 19 islands, 13 large and 6 small, and dozens of islets
and rocks that cover an area of over 17,000 square miles.

It is distributed on either side of the Equator with an underwater wildlife spectacle

with abundant life.

Repeated volcanic eruptions helped to form the rugged mountain landscape of the
Galápagos Islands.

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 In comparison with most oceanic archipelagos, the Galapagos are very young with
the largest, and youngest islands, Isabela and Fernandina, with less than one million
years of existence, and the oldest islands, Española and San Cristóbal, somewhere
between three to five million years.

Mount Azul, at 5,541 feet, is the highest point of the Galapagos Islands.

Climate: It is characterized by low rainfall, low humidity, and relatively low air and
water temperatures.

It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.

Biodiversity:
The Galápagos are best known for their diverse array of plant and animal
species. Many species are endemic, as they are not found anywhere else in
the world.

These include the giant Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), the marine
iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), the flightless cormorant (Phalacrocoraz
harrisi), and the Galápagos penguin.

The Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is the only penguin

species to live in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q1) What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international
convention administered by UNESCO under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention,
established in 1972.

Source: Paradise With A Price: Galapagos Islands To Double Entry Fees

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