Current Affairs

Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that a cyclone named Tej developed in the Arabian Sea, while deep depression in the Bay of Bengal caused another cyclone, named Hamoon.
India is witnessing twin cyclonic storms for the first time after 2018. The name for Cyclone Tej was given by India while Iran named Cyclone Hamoon which stands for marshlands in Persian language.

Notes:
In western Borneo, the Pinanga subterranea, a rare palm tree, thrives with underground flowers and fruits, defying conventional botanical norms. Local communities have long savored its edible fruits, yet it remained overlooked by scientists due to its unique growth. Discovered by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in 2023, the palm’s underground survival strategy involves saxophone-like stem growth, funnel-shaped leaves facilitating root entry, and short flower clusters hidden below the soil. The mystery of pollination in this extraordinary plant is yet to be fully unraveled.

Notes:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the significant potential of India’s inland waterways as a growth engine, emphasizing PM Narendra Modi’s focus on harnessing this vital resource. Speaking at Kalugaht, Bihar, he inaugurated the Kalughat Inland Waterways Transport terminal on National Waterways-1, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of water transport. Sonowal credited Prime Minister for amending the Inland Vessel Act, simplifying permit systems and transforming India into a major player in riverways and maritime cargo handling with the increase of National Waterways from 5 to 111.

Notes:
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched a scholarship scheme for all Sanskrit students in the state. Plans were announced to revive Gurukul-style Sanskrit schools across UP to preserve cultural heritage. The new scholarship program removes age restrictions and expands eligibility, benefiting 69,195 students with ₹586 lakh in scholarships. Students must open bank accounts for direct fund transfers.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal criticized three district magistrates in Uttar Pradesh and the state’s pollution control board for carelessly approving mining in the Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is India’s first freshwater turtle sanctuary, covering a 7 km stretch of the Ganga River. The sanctuary was created to protect turtles, which were released to help naturally decompose half-burnt human remains in the Ganga as part of the Ganga Action Plan. Turtle hatchlings are bred in Sarnath, with 2,000 eggs brought annually from Chambal and Yamuna rivers. The sanctuary also hosts Gangetic Dolphins, diverse turtles, and fish species like Rohu and Tengra.

Notes:
The Himachal Chief Minister recently launched water sports activities at Gobind Sagar Lake. Gobind Sagar Lake is a manmade reservoir in the Una and Bilaspur districts of Himachal Pradesh. Named after Guru Gobind Singh, it is fed by the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River. The Bhakra Dam is one of the highest gravity dams in the world, standing 225.5 m tall. The lake is 90 km long, covers about 170 sq. km, and has a maximum depth of 163.07 m, making it one of the deepest artificial lakes. It supplies irrigation water to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, benefiting regional agriculture.

Notes:
National Legal Services Day is observed annually on November 9 in India to promote legal awareness and ensure justice for all, especially marginalized communities. It was started in 1995 by the Supreme Court to provide free legal assistance to the weaker sections of society. The day emphasizes empowering people with knowledge about their legal rights and promoting conflict resolution. Legal Services Authorities across India celebrate this day with programs and initiatives, including workshops and camps. NALSA releases information on legal rights, aid schemes, and Lok Adalats to raise awareness and bridge the gap between the law and the public.

Notes:
Researchers in Kochi developed a captive breeding protocol for the endangered black-collared yellow catfish. This species is endemic to the Chalakudy River in Kerala and has unique genetic traits and a greenish-brown mottled appearance. It coexists with the endangered Horabagrus Nigricollaris and is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The breeding program started in 2020, and the first-generation stock was successfully bred. The protocol supports conservation efforts and ensures biodiversity preservation in the Western Ghats.

Notes:
The Sada region in the Konkan area of Maharashtra is experiencing land-use changes, with croplands being converted into orchards and residential areas. It is a flat area formed by centuries of erosion, similar to plateaux found in the Satara district, Maharashtra. The region is rocky and barren most of the year but transforms during the monsoons, harboring unique endemic flora. It has highly weathered lateritic soil that helps recharge groundwater. The region boasts 459 plant species, 31 reptile species, 13 amphibians, 169 birds, and 41 mammals. It also features geoglyphs, believed to be around 10,000 years old.

Notes:
BSF has launched ‘Operation Sard Hawa’ along the Pakistan border in the western Rajasthan to prevent infiltration during foggy winters, running from January 22 to 29. This operation enhances vigilance with ultra-modern weapons, advanced instruments, and intensified patrols by vehicles and camels in inaccessible areas. Officers and soldiers, including those from headquarters, are deployed near the fencing to monitor activities continuously. BSF’s intelligence wing actively coordinates with other agencies to track suspicious activities. Key objectives include boosting border security, increasing soldier deployment, enhancing surveillance, and maintaining day-night dominance along the border.