We4u IAS

  Whales and dolphins now have legal personhood in the Pacific Why In News: Whales and dolphins have been officially recognised as “legal persons” in a new treaty formed by Pacific Indigenous leaders from the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Tonga. He Whakaputanga Moana *        He Whakaputanga Moana, a treaty that translates as the ocean declaration of Māori, promotes the protection and survival of these animals in an holistic way. *        When the Whanganui river in Aotearoa was granted status as a living person, personhood meant that “the law now sees no differentiation between harming the tribe or harming the river because they are one and the same”. *        If He Whakaputanga Moana takes a similar approach, Pacific nations could enforce harsh penalties against violators in accordance with their local criminal or customary justice practices. But the ...

  operation “Iron Shield”. Why In News: Israel has revealed the name of the operation consisting multi-layered defence shield that blocked Iran's mass drone and missile attack on the its territory. Israeli defence system Multi-layered defence array of Israel includes – Arrow-2, Arrow-3, David’s Sling, and Iron Dome active defence systems. Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 – Intercepts medium to long-range missiles David’s Sling – Intercepts short to medium and medium to long range missiles.

  Chipko Movement Why in News Recently, Sunderlal Bahuguna, the Gandhian who was the driving force behind the Chipko movement died due to Covid-19. Chipko Movement: *       The Chipko Movement, an iconic environmental conservation movement that took root in the Himalayan region of India, has etched its name in history as a prime example of grassroots activism for ecological protection. *       Emerging from the heart of rural communities, the movement resonated with a powerful message of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. *       It was a non-violent agitation which originated in Uttar Pradesh’s Chamoli district (now Uttarakhand) in 1973. *       The name of the movement ‘chipko’ comes from the word ’embrace’, as the villagers hugged the trees and encircled them to prevent being hacked. *       It is best remembered for the c...

Discovery Of Gigantic Ocean Why In News: Amid water crisis, scientists discover gigantic ocean beneath Earth's surface; say, 'like sponge, soaking up water'.. The findings were first published in the ‘Science’ magazine in 2014 titled 'Dehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle'. The study also presented the unique properties of ringwoodite. Science Behind The Discovery: §     Amid a large number of countries suffering from severe water crisis the quest for finding more sources of the water has led the researchers from Northwestern University, Illinois (the US) to discover a gigantic reservoir of water that is three times the size of Earth's oceans combined, 700 km beneath the planet's surface in a rock known as ringwoodite. §     The researchers are of the view that this hidden ocean beneath the surface, concealed within a blue rock known as ringwoodite, is probably the primary source of water on Earth’s surface. The size of this subterranean...

  National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) ·         Finance Ministry of India established National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a not-for-profit public limited company incorporated on July 31, 2008 under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (corresponding to section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013). ·         NSDC was set up by Ministry of Finance as Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. ·         The Government of India through Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) holds 49% of the share capital of NSDC, while the private sector has the balance 51% of the share capital. Objectives of National Skill Development Corporation The primary objectives of NSDC are as follows: Train and develop skills considering international standards by involving trainees in significant industries. Create essential frameworks for curric...

  Vikramaditya Vedic Clock Why In News: The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, which is mounted on an 85-foot tower within Jantar Mantar in Ujjain. Features of the Vedic Clock The clock not only indicates time but also provides details such as moon position, Parva, Shubhshubh Muhurat, Ghati, Nakshatra, and more. It aims to restore the tradition of Indian time calculation based on astronomical theories. Operational Details ·         The Vedic clock operates by calculating time from one sunrise to another, dividing the period into 30 parts, where each hour consists of 48 minutes according to ISD. ·         It starts at 0:00 with the sunrise and functions for 30 hours. Why Ujjain? ·         Ujjain's rich heritage in timekeeping dates back centuries, with the city playing a pivotal role in determi...

  Sugar Development Fund (SDF) The Sugar Development Fund (SDF) was established in the year 1982 to provide monetary support to the sugar industry. Set up under the Sugar Development Fund Act, the SDF allows sugar mills to obtain loans at nominal rates of interest. IFCI, a public NBFC is a nodal agency for the disbursement of SDF loans to private or public sector factories. For the cooperative sector, loans are routed through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). Objective of SDF The objective of the fund is to offer financial assistance to tackle problems like 1.       Low yield 2.       Outdated machinery 3.       Low consumption 4.       Short crushing season of sugarcane crop 5.       Cyclical nature of the sugar sector 6.       Loan Schemes Available in SDF Factories may avail Sugar Developmen...

  Global Methane Tracker 2024 *        It is an annual report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA). *        It is based on the most recently available data on methane emissions from the energy sector and incorporates new scientific studies, measurement campaigns, and information collected from satellites. About this report *        Methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, and rapid and sustained reductions in methane emissions are key to limiting near-term global warming and improving air quality. *        The energy sector – including oil, natural gas, coal and bioenergy – accounts for over a third of methane emissions from human activity. *        The IEA’s Global Methane Tracker is an indispensable tool in the fight to bring down emissions from...

  Bhima Nayak: ·        Bhima Nayak sometimes spelled as Bhima Naik, was a resident of Dhaba Bawdi in the Badwani district of Madhya Pradesh. ·        He was a prominent leader of the Bhils of Nimar. He took part in the Uprising of 1857 against the British Raj raising an anti-British force by bringing in men from Bhil, Bhilala, Mandoi, and Naik tribes, and collaborated with Tantia Tope. ·        At the time (1857 revolution) when Tatya Tope came to Nimar, he met Bhima Nayak. During that time Bhima helped him cross the Narmada river. ·        He was called Robinhood of Nimar. He deployed his troops on the Bhil-populated Bombay (Mumbai) and Agra Highway between Singhawa and Khull, where they constantly disturbed the British troop movements. ·        Bhima had an important role in the 1857 Ambagani War. The British authorities tr...

  Astronomical Grand Cycles Why In News: Recent studies on Astronomical Grand Cycle (AGC), that recur every 2.4 million years shows fascinating observations about its impact. About: ·        The concept of the Astronomical Grand Cycle (AGC) suggests that the gravitational interaction between Earth and Mars cyclically influences deep ocean currents, leading to recurring patterns every 2.4 million years. ·        These cycles are known as Astronomical Grand Cycles, and the geological record is an unlikely place to find evidence for such cycles. ·        This cycle is attributed to the interference of gravity fields between the two planets, causing a resonance that affects Earth’s orbit around the Sun. ·        The mechanism proposed for AGC highlights the gravitational interplay between Earth and Mars as the primary driver. Unlike the Milankovitch cycle...

  Snakebite Envenoming About: ·         SE is a potentially life-threatening disease that typically results from the injection of a mixture of different toxins (venom) following the bite of a Venomous Snake and can also be caused by having venom sprayed into the eyes by certain species of snakes that have the ability to spit venom as a defence measure. ·         Snakebite poses a significant daily health risk in rural tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, particularly for the hundreds of millions of people in rural and peri-urban communities reliant on agriculture and subsistence activities for survival. Deaths from SE: ·         According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 81,410 to 137,880 people around the world die each year because of snakebites. Indian Initiatives: ·     ...

  NANA JAGANNATH SHANKARSETH Why in news: The Maharashtra cabinet has resolved to request the Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth, a revered social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist often hailed as the “architect” of Mumbai. Social and Educational Initiatives Advocacy for Girls' Education: ·        Recognizing the importance of education for girls, Shankarsheth opened the first-ever school for girls in Mumbai in 1849. ·        This groundbreaking initiative aimed to empower women through access to quality education, challenging traditional gender norms and promoting social equality.   Founding of Educational Institutions: ·        As one of the founders of the School Society and the Native School of Bombay, Shankarsheth played a pivotal role in establishing the first educational institution of its kind in Western India. · ...

  Model Code of Conduct About: *        The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the ECI to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections. *        It helps EC in keeping with the mandate it has been given under Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives it the power to supervise and conduct free and fairelections to the Parliament and State Legislatures. *        The MCC is operational from the date on which the election schedule is announced until the date of the result announcement. MCC for Political Parties and Candidates: Prohibitions: *        Criticism of political parties must be limited to their policies and programmes, past record, and work. *        Activities such as using caste and communal feelings to secure votes, criticizing candidates on the basis of unverified reports, bribing or inti...