Facts In News
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Western Disturbance (Geography)
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Recently, the northern parts of the country have faced light rain due to Western Disturbance.
Western Disturbance (WD)
- It is an extra-tropical storm that originates in the Mediterranean region.
- The disturbance travels from the “western” to the eastern direction.
- Disturbance means an area of “disturbed” or reduced air pressure.
- Equilibrium exists in nature due to which the air in a region tries to normalize its pressure.
- The WD is not always the harbinger of good weather.
- In the term “extra-tropical storm”, storm refers to low pressure.
- “Extra-tropical” means outside the tropics (as WD originates outside the tropical region).
- It brings rainfall, snowfall, and fog in northern India.
- If winds (jet stream) flow from the west to east direction at an altitude of 30,000 feet then the weather will be stable in that region.
- A jet stream is a river-like current of air circulating across the globe at upper levels of the troposphere.
- WD is important for the agriculture of the Rabi crop in the Northern subcontinent.
- Sometimes WDs can cause extreme weather events like floods, flash floods, landslides, dust storms, hail storms, and cold waves killing people, destroying infrastructure, and impacting livelihoods.
Image Courtesy: Lotus Arise
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Tripura Jackfruits Exported to London (Agriculture)
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Recently, around 1.2 tonnes of jackfruit from Tripura was exported to London (United Kingdom) by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- This would boost exports of agricultural and processed food products from the northeast.
Key Points
- Jackfruit is the state fruit of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and also the national fruit of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
- It is well-suited to tropical lowlands and is widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of the world.
- Native Areas: Originally Western Ghats of Southern India thereafter spread to other parts of the world e.g; the rainforests of Malaysia, Sri Lanka, etc.
- Soil: Laterite Soil.
- It can be harvested in less rainfall, also can survive drought, frost, pests, and high temperatures.
- Characteristics:
- Tall tree,
- Belongs to the mulberry family,
- Largest edible fruit,
- Also called poor man’s fruit
- Jackfruit is a dicot plant and a unisexual plant.
- It is rich in potassium, calcium, and iron.
Image Courtesy: Npr.org
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International Tea Day (Geography)
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Every year, International Tea Day is celebrated on May 21.
Key Points
- Theme- 2021: Harnessing Benefits for All, from field to cup.
- Aim: To draw global attention to the impact of the global tea trade and promote sustainable production & consumption of tea, and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.
- Background:
- In 2019, the United Nations body Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) moved a resolution to celebrate International Tea Day every year throughout the world.
- Since 2005, the day has been celebrated only in tea-producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Climatic Conditions:
- It is a plantation crop in which black tea leaves are fermented whereas green tea leaves are unfermented.
- Tea leaves have a rich content of caffeine and tannin.
- It originated from the hills of Northern China.
- It is grown in hilly areas and well-drained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics.
- Frost-free climate.
- Rainfall: 1200 mm
- Major countries: Sri Lanka (leading producer), China, India, and Indonesia.
- Tea Cultivation in India
- Major areas: Assam, West Bengal (hills of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts), Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Tripura.
- Assam accounts for about 53.2 percent of the total cropped area and contributes more than half of the total production of tea in the country.
- West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are the other leading producers of tea.
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Sick-Building Syndrome (Health)
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Recently, in a scientific study, it was found that “sick-building syndrome” is spreading novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Sick-Building Syndrome (SBS)
- SBS is the situation in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building (particular room or zone), but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
- In contrast, the term “building-related illness” (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants.
- Reasons: Closed, un-ventilated indoor spaces, droplets, and aerosols become quickly concentrated and greatly increase the risk of transmission to people in the area.
- Measures to be taken: Proper ventilation through mechanical or natural methods.
- Recently, the government has made an advisory on stopping the spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces.
Image Courtesy: The Hindu
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International Day of Biodiversity (Environment)
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Every year, the International Day of Biodiversity is celebrated on May 22.
Key Points
- Theme-2021: We’re part of the solution #ForNature.
- Objective: To draw people’s attention towards the fact that biodiversity continues to be the answer for a significant number of sustainable development challenges.
- Aim: To convey to people that conservation and rebuilding of biodiversity can help mankind find solutions to things as serious as climate change, health issues.
- The United Nations General Assembly in December 2000, adopted May 22 as International Day for Biodiversity.
- Global Initiatives
Biodiversity in India
- India has just 2.4% of the land area and supports nearly 7% of the recorded species and 18% of the human population.
- India has 23.39% of its geographical area under forest and tree cover.
- India’s position in terms of species:
- 7th in mammals,
- 9th in birds
- 5th in reptiles.
- Biomes in India:
- Tropical Humid Forests
- Tropical Dry or Deciduous Forests (including Monsoon Forests)
- Warm deserts and semi-deserts
- Coniferous forests and
- Alpine meadows.
- Biodiversity hotspots in India:
- Himalayan region: Indian Himalayan region (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar).
- Indo-Burma: Entire North-eastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China)
- Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Entire Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka).
- Sundaland: Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
- Indian initiatives for Biodiversity conservation:
- National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems
- Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017
- The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
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Shangri-La Dialogue (IR)
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Recently, Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Points
- It is a “Track One” inter-governmental security forum.
- Organized at: Shangri-La Hotel (Singapore) since 2002.
- Organized by: International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which is attended by defense ministers and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific countries.
- Objective: Building confidence and fostering practical security cooperation in the Asia-pacific region.
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INS Rajput decommissioned (Defence)
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Recently, the Indian Navy has decommissioned Destroyer INS Rajput.
Key Points
- It was built by the erstwhile USSR, which remained in service for around 41 years.
- Motto: Raj Karega Rajput
- Achievements:
- Operation Aman
- Operation Pawan
- Operation Cactus
- Operation Crowsnest
- The ship was also the first Indian Naval Ship to be affiliated with an Indian Army regiment, the Rajput Regiment.
- INS Rajput was also the first ship in the Navy to get the first version of the BrahMos anti-ship supersonic cruise missile in 2005.
- Project 15: Under this project, the Indian Navy is developing a class of stealth-guided missile destroyers e.g; Rajput class, Delhi class, and Kolkata class.
- The Indian Navy inducted its first destroyer (INS Ranjit) in 1949 from the UK.
Image Courtesy: Indian Navy
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