The countries involved in Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) are - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan. (India is not a party)
Why Brahmaputra is flooded always? -> 1950 earth quake destabilised its channel. Thereafter, it is shifting its channel frequently.
Meghalaya - launches India's first social audit law.
Micius was in news recently - 1. First Quantum Satellite 2. Teleportation of Photons into space 3. Communication is hack proof. M.Imp for Prelims-2018
IRNSS-1I is the 8th such satellite to be a part of the NavIC navigation satellite constellation. It is expected to replace IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven navigation satellites, which was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed. ⚡️ The IRNSS 1I mission is critical for the space agency as it is ISRO’s second attempt to replace the IRNSS 1A satellite, after the failure of the IRNSS 1H mission in August 2017. ♦️The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is a constellation of seven satellites that provides indigenously developed regional GPS services called NavIC.
Sarala Devi Chaudhurani:✨ Annie Besant along with Sarojini Naidu played leading role in the foundation of Indian Women's Association in 1917 whereas, Bharat Stree Mahamandal was the first all-women's organisation in India founded by Sarala Devi Chaudhurani in Allahabad in 1910. Saraladevi Chaudhrani was an extraordinary female leader in action. She was one of the earliest women freedom fighters of India, who participated in the 'Swadeshi Movement' as well as in the revolutionary movement of the country. She was born in 1872 and joined active politics in 1915. In 1915 she organized 'All India Revolutionary Party‘ and secretly assisted the revolutionaries and continued her secret activities through another group 'Sohard Society.
1) INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORG *Is a specialised UN agency. *HQ= London (UK) *Aim= to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit--this framework should address various areas like ✓safety ✓legal matters ✓environmental concerns ✓ technical co-operation ✓maritime security ✓efficiency of shipping. IMO Council *Plays crucial role in deciding various imp matters w/i mandate of IMO esp in relation to global shipping industry. *Recently India got re elected to the Council under Category-B for— 2yrs. 2)NASA'S SOFIA MISSION *Is a flying observatory *Aim= to study observations of:— ✓celestial magnetic fields ✓star forming regions ✓comets ✓Saturn's giant moon Titan 3)JOINT TIGER CENSUS *India + Bhutan + Bangladesh= have agreed to conduct a joint census of tiger pop. 4)TRAFFIC *Alliance of = IUCN+ WWF *Is a NGO + leading Wildlife trade monitoring network. *Aim= Conservation of biodiversity + Sustainable development. *Covers both = plants + animals. 5)WILDLIFE CRIME CONTROL BUREAU *Statutory ; multi disciplinary body. *EST under= MoEFCC *EST by= Wildlife Protection Act *Assists custom authorities in inspection of the consignments of = Flora + fauna
World Earth Day: 22 April The World Earth Day (WED) is celebrated on 22nd April not only to spread awareness of the need for conservation but also to take action to protect the environment. Earth Day is considered to be the largest secular world event. This day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970 and has ever since been an annual event. The theme for World Earth Day 2018 is 'End Plastic Pollution'. Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally.
Albino Ranges, in news, are in: -> Russia Why in News : International Army Games took place.
Sattras monasteries in news are in -> North East India Satriyas dance - Manipuri- Sattras monastery
Operation Green:-The finance minister in his budget speech announced Operation Greens, on the lines of Operation Flood, with a seed capital of Rs 500 crore. India is the second largest producer of vegetables in the world with about 180 MMT. Operation Greens wants to replicate the success story of the operation flood in fruit and vegetables, starting with tomatoes, onions and potatoes.
The Green Movement, a political unrest seen in news, is in: -> Middle East
Term "White Shipping" in news is related to: White shipping information refers to exchange of relevant advance information on the identity and movement of commercial non-military merchant vessels. A term"Gas Cracker" in news is related to: A gas cracker is any device that splits the molecules in a gas or liquid, usually by electrolysis, into atoms. The end product is usually a gas. -> Jamnagar (Gujarat) is world largest off gas cracker.
Sagar Kavach: Context: Coastal security exercise “Sagar Kavach” was recently held in Goa. Key facts: The exercise is conducted half yearly with an objective to check coastal security mechanism and validate standard operating procedures. The organisations participating in the exercise are Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Police, Police Special Branch, Intelligence Bureau, Customs, Department of Port, Department of Fisheries, Director General of Lighthouses and light ships and Fishing Community.
New system to measure air quality Context: India is tying up with the United States and Finland to develop a pollution-forecast system that will help anticipate particulate matter (PM) levels at least two days in advance and at a greater resolution than what is possible now. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will be coordinating this exercise and the plan is to have a system in place by winter. The new system, to be jointly developed with expertise from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the U.S.’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will use a different modelling approach as well as computational techniques from that employed in the SAFAR model. Background: Currently, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), run out of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, serves as the apex forecaster of pollution trends in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad. It generates a likely air quality profile, a day in advance, for these cities. About SAFAR: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, has introduced the System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). It has been introduced for greater metropolitan cities of India to provide location-specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India. It has been introduced for greater metropolitan cities of India to provide location-specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India. The World Meteorological Organization has recognised SAFAR as a prototype activity on the basis of the high quality control and standards maintained in its implementation. The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among general public regarding the air quality in their city well in advance so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up for betterment of air quality and related health issues.
Island Development Agency Context: The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, recently chaired the third meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA). The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands. About the Island Development Agency (IDA): What is it? The IDA was set up on June 1 this year following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s review meeting for the development of islands. The meetings of the agency are chaired by the Union Home Minister. Composition: Members of the IDA include cabinet secretary, home secretary, secretary (environment, forests and climate change), secretary (tourism) and secretary (tribal welfare).
Redd + is related to - -> It is related to carbon stock/ carbon budget. NOTE : Whatever the funds/program etc you study in environment, focus on key words mentioned.
Black carbon aerosols: -> They warm atmosphere but cools earth surface. -> They reflect light falling on them. -> When they are deposited on earth surface, it reflects back radiation falling on earth surface and therefore causing cooling. Explanation in detail: When sunlight strikes black carbon, its dark hue causes it to heat up, something like the way a black tar roof gets hot on a sunny day. When black carbon falls on ice and snow, it smudges their bright white reflective surfaces. As a result, less sunlight bounces back out to space, leading to more warming of atmpsphere but earth surface cools.
A term "dry steam deposits " is in news, related to : -> Electricity generation using geothermal energy.
SAATHI: ✳️The Ministry of Power along with the Ministry of Textiles have launched its new initiative named Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to help small Industries (SAATHI). ✳️Under the initiative, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under the administrative control of Ministry of Power, would procure energy efficient power looms, motors and repair kits in bulk and provide them to the small and medium power loom units at no upfront cost. ✳️ The SAATHI initiative of the Government will be jointly implemented by EESL and the office of the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis. To kick start the implementation, cluster wise demonstration projects and workshops will be organized in key clusters such as Erode, Surat. ✳️ Power loom sector in India is predominantly an unorganized sector and has a large number of micro and small units which produce 57% of total cloth in country.