03.04.25 Daily [Odisha] OPSC Current Affairs

Rare Binturong Sighting: A Binturong was recently captured on camera in the Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest, near Balpakram National Park in Meghalaya. This is significant because it confirms the presence of this vulnerable species in the area.

Location Importance: The Narang Wari VRF acts as a buffer zone for Balpakram National Park, highlighting the importance of community-managed forests in protecting wildlife.

Binturong Facts:

• Also known as the bearcat, it is the largest civet in India.
• It’s a catlike omnivore found in Southeast Asian forests.
• Characterized by a prehensile tail, tufted ears and long shaggy black colored hair.
• They mark territory using scent glands.
• Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular.

Conservation Status: The Binturong is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is a Schedule I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, indicating a high level of protection.

Balpakram National Park Significance:

• Located in Meghalaya, it’s known as the “Land of Perpetual Winds.”
• It harbors diverse flora and fauna, including rare pitcher plants, orchids, elephants, tigers, and Hillock Gibbons.

Excessive Fluoride in Uttar Pradesh: 120 hamlets in Uttar Pradesh, India, are affected by excessive fluoride levels, impacting approximately 2 lakh people. Some villages recorded fluoride levels exceeding the safe limit of 1-1.5 mg/L, reaching 2 mg/L or higher.

Health Risks: High fluoride consumption can lead to skeletal fluorosis, accelerated dental decay, and other health problems, particularly affecting children.

Groundwater Contamination: Besides fluoride, India’s groundwater is also contaminated with arsenic (primarily in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh), uranium (across 12 states including Punjab), and iron (severe in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Assam). Other contaminants like antimony, cadmium, copper, and barium pose risks.

Worst Affected States: Rajasthan has the highest fluoride contamination levels in India. Other affected states include Telangana, western Andhra Pradesh, and eastern Karnataka.

Seasonal Variation: Fluoride contamination tends to increase during the dry, summer pre-monsoon months. Arid regions in western India show higher contamination compared to humid areas.

Safe Limits: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a safe fluoride limit of 1.5 mg/L in drinking water, while the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) sets the limit at 1.0 mg/L.

Death Anniversary: The Prime Minister paid tribute to Shyamji Krishna Verma on his death anniversary (March 30th).

Who was he? He was an Indian revolutionary, patriot, lawyer, and journalist born in Gujarat.

Indian Home Rule Society: In 1905, he established the Indian Home Rule Society in London to inspire revolutionary activities among young Indians against British rule. This is important because it highlights Verma’s active role in fostering anti-colonial sentiment and action.

India House & The Indian Sociologist: He founded India House and The Indian Sociologist, a journal that became a hub for radical nationalists. This is significant as it shows his commitment to providing a platform for revolutionary thought and organizing Indian students abroad.

Arya Samaj & Veer Savarkar: He was the first President of the Bombay Arya Samaj and influenced Veer Savarkar. This illustrates the breadth of his influence on Indian socio-political movements.

Shift to Europe: Due to British criticism, Verma moved from England to Paris and then Geneva, where he died in 1930. This reveals the challenges he faced due to his revolutionary activities and the constant pressure from British authorities.

Kranti Teerth: A memorial dedicated to him, Kranti Teerth, was built near Mandvi in 2010. This indicates the recognition and remembrance of his contributions in contemporary India.

Drug Interdiction: INS Tarkash seized over 2500 kg of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean during maritime security operations. This highlights the Indian Navy’s role in combating illegal activities at sea.

Stealth Frigate: INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, emphasizing its advanced design and capabilities.

Talwar Class: It belongs to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates, showcasing its Russian origin and technology transfer.

Built in Russia: INS Tarkash was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, indicating the collaboration between India and Russia in naval shipbuilding.

Commissioned in 2012: It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 9, 2012, marking its entry into service.

Western Fleet: INS Tarkash is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, demonstrating its operational area of responsibility.

Stealth Technology: The frigate utilizes stealth technologies and hull design to reduce its radar signature.

Weapon Systems: It is equipped with advanced weapon systems like the BrahMos missile, surface-to-air missiles, a 100mm gun, close-in weapon systems, torpedoes, and electronic warfare suite, showcasing its multi-dimensional threat response capability.

Helicopter Capability: INS Tarkash can carry a Ka-28 or Ka-31 helicopter, expanding its anti-submarine warfare and early warning capabilities.

U.S. National Arrested: A U.S. citizen was recently arrested for allegedly illegally entering the prohibited tribal reserve of North Sentinel Island. This is a key point because it highlights ongoing attempts to breach the island’s protected status.

Location and Geography: North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal. The island is approximately 8km long and 7km wide, roughly 60 sq km in area, densely forested, and surrounded by a shallow reef. Understanding the geography gives context to the tribe’s isolation.

Sentinelese Tribe: The island is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world’s last uncontacted tribes, believed to be descendants of early humans from Africa. This is the core reason for the island’s significance; the tribe’s unique status requires protection.

Voluntary Isolation and Resistance: The Sentinelese have maintained voluntary isolation for thousands of years and fiercely resist contact with the outside world. This resistance justifies the protective measures in place.

Legal Protection: The Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act, 1956, prohibits approaching the island closer than 5 nautical miles. This law is crucial to prevent unwanted contact and protect the Sentinelese from outside diseases and exploitation.

Population Estimate: The Sentinelese population is estimated to be between 80 and 150 people (possibly ranging from 15 to 500). Accurately assessing the population is very difficult due to the lack of contact.

Prohibited to Visit: It is illegal for outsiders, including Indian citizens, to visit North Sentinel Island or attempt contact with the Sentinelese. This reiterates the strict enforcement aimed at protecting the tribe.

New Observations: Jupiter’s atmosphere around the Great Red Spot is surprisingly active and interesting.

What it is: The Great Red Spot is a long-lasting anticyclone (high-pressure area) on Jupiter, creating a persistent storm.

Location: Southern Hemisphere of Jupiter.

Appearance: A giant red spot. The cause of the red color is unknown.

Size: Diameter of 15,400 miles, almost twice the size of Earth and one-sixth the diameter of Jupiter.

Wind Speed: Winds inside the storm reach speeds of about 270 mph.

Lifespan: It has existed for at least 150 years, possibly longer.

Why it lasts: Jupiter’s lack of a solid surface allows the storm to persist. A solid surface would dissipate the storm’s energy.

Changes: The Great Red Spot changes in shape, size, and color.

Largest Storm: It is the largest known storm in the Solar System.

Problem: Excessive fluoride contamination in groundwater affecting nearly 2 lakh people in 120 hamlets of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Sonbhadra district.

Cause: Natural leaching of fluoride from granite, an igneous rock, into groundwater.

Definition: Fluoride contamination occurs when fluoride levels in water exceed safe limits (0.5 – 1.5 mg/L as per WHO).

Geographical Scope: This is a widespread issue, also present in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh.

Sources of Contamination:

• Natural: Weathering of fluoride-rich rocks and volcanic activity.
• Industrial: Emissions from industries like aluminum, steel, and fertilizer production.
• Agricultural: Use of phosphate fertilizers and pesticides.
• Coal combustion: Burning coal releases fluoride.

Health Impacts:

• Dental fluorosis: Tooth enamel damage and discoloration in children.
• Skeletal fluorosis: Crippling bone and joint damage.

Prevention & Control:

• Water treatment methods: Activated alumina filters, Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration, and the Nalgonda Technique (low-cost).