KAZIRANGA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF WETLAND BIRDS
Why in news? Kaziranga recorded 96 species of wetland birds — one of the highest for wildlife reserves in India, according to the second wetland bird count conducted on January 2020. Details With 6,181 individuals, the bar-headed goose led the species count, followed by the common teal at 1,557 and northern pintail at 1,359. All […]
VILLAGERS GIVE UP STONE-THROWING RITUAL AT BUDDHIST SITE
Why in news? After a sustained campaign, heritage lovers and officials have been successful in almost stopping the stone-pelting ritual at Bojjannakonda, a famous Buddhist site More about the site “Bojjannakonda and Lingalametta are twin Buddhist monasteries dating back to the 3rd century BC. These sites have seen three forms of Buddhism — Theravada period […]
MARADU TOWERS BROUGHT DOWN WITH PRECISION
Why in news? It took around nine months and some tough talking by the Supreme Court for the State government to act against the violations and illegal encroachments. How was buildings brought down? The use of emulsion explosives and its reduced usage at the blast sites helped in the effective demolition of the concrete buildings […]
CROCODILE POPULATION ON THE RISE IN ODISHA’S GHODAHADA RESERVOIR
Why in news? Example of peaceful coexistence of humans and crocodiles in the Digapahandi forest range under Berhampur forest division was revealed during annual crocodile census conducted. More about the report As per the census, the number of mature crocodiles in Ghodahada reservoir and its adjoining area has increased from 58 in January 2019 to […]
Day 4: Static Quiz on Environmental Science
12th January – Editorials/Opinions Analyses
Contents Why are Bushfires raging in Australia? WHY ARE BUSHFIRES RAGING IN AUSTRALIA? Why in news? Australia’s bushfires have razed more than 10.3 million hectares (103,300 sq km) of land — roughly the size of South Korea — since September. Why did Australia suffer from drought? Playing out to the north and south of […]
WHY ARE BUSHFIRES RAGING IN AUSTRALIA?
Why in news? Bushfires in Australia have razed more than 10.3 million hectares (103,300 sq km) of land — roughly the size of South Korea — since September. It may be an implication of Indian Ocean Diploe (IOD). Why did Australia suffer from drought? Playing out to the north and south of the equator, the […]
Current Affairs for UPSC IAS Exam – 12 January 2020
Contents: Iran Admits its Missile Shot Down Ukraine Jet Ukraine Demands Justice, Compensation LCA Navy Varian successfully Lands on INS Vikramaditya Transgender Persons Act Comes into Effect We Won’t Leave Siachen: Army Chief 34 lakh OCI Cards Issued: Centre New method better estimates Melting of Debris-covered Himalayan Glaciers VR and Visual Memory Species-Rich forests offer […]
SPECIES-RICH FORESTS OFFER STABLE CARBON CAPTURE
Why in news? Spending over six months conducting surveys inside Anamalai Tiger Reserve and using satellite data from multiple locations in the Western Ghats, an international team of researchers has shown that carbon storage was highest in species-rich evergreen forest. What is found in study? The results showed that the species-rich evergreen forests stored carbon […]
VR AND VISUAL MEMORY
Why in news? Researchers have found that virtual reality (VR)—a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment usually experienced using head mounted displays (HMDs)—may interfere with visual memory, a finding that may lead to better application of the technology. They speculate that the enhanced sense of realism and immersion created by the ability to […]