Month: July 2023

Categories
International Relations

Permits for deep sea mining could be issued soon

  • The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is prepared to restart talks on deep sea mining, which entails harvesting mineral reserves and metals from the ocean’s seafloor.
  • Concerns have been made about the potential implications on maritime ecosystems and habitats as a result of these agreements, emphasising the necessity for laws and environmental safeguards.

What exactly is deep sea mining?

  • Deep sea mining is the extraction of mineral resources and metals from the seabed.
  • These deposits are abundant in elements such as nickel, rare earths, and cobalt, which are essential for renewable energy technologies as well as daily goods such as telephones and computers.

Types of such Mining include-

  • Polymetallic Nodule Collection: harvesting deposit-rich nodules from the ocean floor is one type of such mining.
  • Mining minerals from vast seafloor sulphide deposits is known as seafloor sulphide mining.
  • Cobalt Crust Stripping: The removal of cobalt crusts from seabed rocks.

Mining Technology Evolution

  • Companies are investigating the use of enormous pumps to extract materials from the seafloor.
  • AI-Based Robotics: Using artificial intelligence to train deep-sea robots how to harvest nodules.
  • Advanced machinery is used to mine resources from underwater mountains and volcanoes.

Importance in Strategic Terms

  • Deep sea mining provides access to strategically significant commodities as onshore stocks are depleted.
  • Growing Demand: Because of the increased reliance on renewable energy and technological breakthroughs, critical minerals are in high demand.
  • Deep Sea Mining Regulation: Balancing Interests and Environmental Concerns
  • Deep Sea Mining Regulation: Balancing Interests and Environmental Concerns
  • The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) now governs deep sea mining.
  • This framework intends to conserve maritime habitats, allow the sharing of economic gains, and fund scientific research.

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and Exploration Permits

  • Maritime Territory Management: Countries regulate their exclusive economic zones, whereas the high seas are governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
  • “Common Heritage of Mankind”: The seafloor and its mineral riches are considered global assets that must be managed responsibly.
  • Partnerships for Exploration: Mining firms work with countries to gain exploration licences, with a concentration on the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone.

Regulations are Under Pressure

  • The application of Nauru and Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. in 2021 triggered a clause requiring the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to establish regulations by July 2023.
  • Concerns about the environment: The pressing need to address potential environmental damage and protect maritime habitats drives the need for extensive legislation.

Concerns About the Environment

  • Only a small section of the deep seafloor has been studied, prompting concerns about potential harm to poorly understood marine ecosystems.
  • Effects on the marine ecosystem: Marine life is endangered by noise, vibration, and light pollution, as well as chemical leaks and spills.
  • silt Plumes: After recovering valuable resources, pumping slurry silt back into the sea can kill filter-feeding organisms and disturb ecosystems.

Way Forward

  • More than a dozen countries, including France, Germany, and Pacific Island states, have called for a ban or suspension until environmental safeguards are in place.
  • Deep-sea ecosystem studies and responsible mining are critical for understanding the potential consequences of mining.
  • Sustainable Mining Practises: Promoting responsible mining practises such as minimising pollution, minimising ecosystem disruption, and implementing proper waste management.

Conclusion

  • Deep sea mining has the potential to liberate precious minerals needed for sustainable energy and technological developments.
  • The method, however, poses serious environmental problems and necessitates stringent laws to balance resource extraction with the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems.
  • Continuous research, appropriate practises, and international cooperation are required to ensure environmentally responsible deep-sea mining activities.
Source: https://m.economictimes.com/news/science/deep-sea-mining-permits-may-be-coming-soon-what-are-they-and-what-might-happen/articleshow/101449683.cms
Categories
International Relations

Israel is concentrating its efforts in the West Bank

  • Israel carried out a military operation in the occupied West Bank, similar to previous large-scale operations.
  • This strike has resulted in Palestinian casualties.

The West Bank and Its Importance

  • The West Bank is a landlocked territory in Western Asia that makes up the majority of the Palestinian territories.
  • Jordan, the Dead Sea, Israel (south, west, and north), and the Mediterranean coast form its geographical borders.
  • Anti-Semitism as State Policy: Several theocratic countries, notably the Arab world, the self-proclaimed caliphate ‘Turkiye,’ and even Pakistan, have publicly expressed anti-Jewish sentiment.
  • Denial of Access: As a world micro-minority, Jews have been denied access to their country.

Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict

  • Historical Background: The land at issue was ruled by the Ottoman Empire and then by the British Empire.
  • Palestinian Aspirations: Palestinians, Arabs from the region, want to establish a state called Palestine in the region.
  • Land and Control Conflict: A dispute between Israelis and Palestinians about territorial ownership and governance.
  • Jews escaping persecution in Europe hoped to build a Jewish state on what they thought to be their ancestral homeland.
  • Arab Resistance: Arabs resisted, claiming the region known as Palestine at the time as their own.
  • The Balfour Declaration, issued in 1917, proclaimed the United Kingdom’s support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
  • Arab opposition to the proclamation resulted in rioting and increased tensions.

West Bank Jewish Immigration

  • Thousands of Jews immigrated to Palestine throughout the 1920s and 1930s, according to migration statistics.
  • Arab Opposition: Palestinian Arabs urged that the UK stop Jewish emigration, which resulted in violent occurrences.
  • The League of Nations issued the British Mandate for Palestine in 1923, tasked the UK with creating a Jewish sovereign homeland.
  • Partition Proposal: The United Kingdom proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab republics in 1936.

Involvement of the UN in the Conflict:

  • The subject of Palestine was presented to the UN in 1947, resulting in a partition plan.
  • Proposals for Peace: The United Nations proposed two independent nations with economic cooperation or a single bi-national state with autonomous Jewish and Palestinian districts.
  • Arab Invasion and Israeli Independence: When Israel declared independence in 1948, Arab countries immediately invaded.
  • Changes in area: Under the UN decision, Israel gained some of the area designated for Palestinian Arabs, notably the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Resolving the Conflict:

  • Two-State Solution Concept: The two-state solution seeks to build coexisting Israeli and Palestinian states in the region.
  • The Solution’s Difficulty: The two-state solution has not been realised over the decades.
  • The establishment of separate states for Israelis and Palestinians addresses the underlying source of the conflict.

Challenges to the Two-State Solution

(1) Borders:

  • Drawing the Lines: There is no agreement on how to determine the borders.
  • Some say that the borders before the 1967 Israeli-Arab war should be used.
  • Settlements in the West Bank: The presence of Israeli settlements in the West Bank complicates the border question.

(2) Question of Jerusalem:

  • Both Israel and the Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.
  • The overlapping of sacred sites makes it difficult to divide Jerusalem into Israeli and Palestinian areas.

(3) Refugee Issue:

  • Palestinian Refugees: During the 1948 war, a large number of Palestinians became refugees.
  • Right of Return: Around 5 million Palestinians and their descendants demand the right to return, which Israel denies.

(4) Security Concerns:

  • Hamas Harassment: Israel faces security concerns from Hamas, the terrorist organisation that controls the Gaza Strip.
  • Palestinian Attacks: Palestinians are also concerned about their safety as they fight to stop foreign military occupation.

The Value of a Two-State Solution

  • Fulfilling Aspirations: The two-state solution gives Jews and Arabs their own states.
  • Alternative Limitations: Other options, such as a single state, might result in Jews becoming a minority or an unhappy Arab majority.

Moral Justification for a Two-State Solution

  • Aspirations in Balance: Advocates argue against subordinating one group’s goals to the those of another.
  • A single state would reduce Jews to a minority, thereby jeopardising their objectives.

The Way Forward

  • India feels that a negotiated two-state solution is necessary for long-term peace between Israel and Palestine.
  • Establishment of a Palestinian State: India supports the creation of a sovereign, independent, and sustainable Palestinian state within internationally recognised borders.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the Israel-Palestine issue and the significance of a two-state solution is critical for establishing regional peace.
  • A negotiated settlement can result in a sovereign and independent Palestine living alongside Israel by addressing the problems and taking into account the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Source: https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15293.doc.htm
Categories
International Relations

PM Modi will host the SCO 2023 Summit

  • In the current geopolitical backdrop, the impending virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is critical.
  • Former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) official and ambassador to various countries, Ashok Sajjanhar, provides his thoughts on the event and its probable implications.

What exactly is SCO?

  • SCO is a non-profit organisation that was created in 2001.
  • Its primary goal is to promote cooperation and regional stability among its member countries.
  • The Shanghai Five mechanism, founded in 1996 to resolve border conflicts and foster mutual trust among China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, gave rise to the SCO.
  • Uzbekistan joined the organisation in 2001, which resulted in the foundation of the SCO.
Member StatesChina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan
ObjectivesPromote regional security, stability, economic cooperation
Cooperation AreasPolitical, security, economic, cultural
Security CooperationJoint military exercises, counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing
Economic CooperationTrade facilitation, investment, infrastructure development
Key BodiesSCO Summit, SCO Business Council, Interbank Consortium of the SCO
Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)Coordination of anti-terrorism efforts
Dialogue PartnersAfghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, among others
Observer StatesArmenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, among others
Outreach and EngagementUnited Nations, ASEAN, CIS, and other regional/international organizations

The Meeting’s Importance

  • During the Russia-Ukraine War significant Participants: The summit is likely to include significant leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
  • Russia’s waning Influence: The meeting allows President Putin to assess Russia’s waning influence and importance, notably in Central Asian countries.
  • Message for Resolution: Russia’s diminished presence in the region may signal the necessity for a quick resolution to the current Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Strategic autonomy and self-assurance in India

  • Prime Minister Modi’s recent successful visit to the United States illustrates the expansion of India-US relations.
  • India’s Place in the SCO: India’s membership in the SCO while maintaining strong connections with the US demonstrates its strategic autonomy and self-assurance.

The Importance of Prime Minister Modi’s Statement to Mr. Putin

  • Asserting India’s Position: “This is not the era of war,” Prime Minister Modi said, demonstrating India’s ability to talk with President Putin.
  • Influencing Diplomatic Results: The statement aided in the passage of the Bali G20 summit declaration and demonstrated India’s role as a bridge builder between Russia and the West.

Consequences for India-China Relations

  • Impact on Border deadlock: The virtual meeting will have little immediate impact on the India-China border deadlock.
  • Multiple rounds of discussions have taken place between India and China, but there has been limited progress in de-escalation and disengagement at crucial areas.
  • Snub to Pakistan: As in the past, India’s firm stance on cross-border terrorism is likely to be reinforced throughout the negotiations.

Central Asian outreach:

  • India has historical and cultural ties with Central Asian countries and seeks to deepen cooperation in the region.
  • Neglected Participation: Following the fall of the Soviet Union, India’s engagement with these countries was hampered by a lack of direct access through Pakistan’s territory.
  • The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a Platform: India’s SCO membership allows for contact at many levels and provides possibilities to improve ties with Central Asian countries.

Conclusion

  • The SCO virtual summit provides India with an important opportunity to connect with key regional entities and raise its reputation and prominence in Central Asia.
  • The summit’s accomplishments, including the adoption of papers on a variety of issues, will help India advance its interests, develop commercial connections, and encourage investment in the area.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sco-summit-live-updates-july-4/liveblog/101473995.cms#:~:text=Prime%20Minister%20Narendra%20Modi%20is,participate%20in%20the%20virtual%20summit.
Categories
Environment & Biodiversity

In 2022, India will add 664 animal species to its faunal database

  • In 2022, India’s faunal database will grow by 664 animal species.
  • In addition, the database contains 339 new plant taxa, including new species and distributional information.

2023 Report: New Species and Records

  • The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) published the faunal finds in a publication titled “Animal Discoveries – New Species and New Records 2023.”

[A] Faunal Discoveries

  • New species and records of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have all been discovered.
  • Mammals: Three new species and one new record were discovered, including two bat species from Meghalaya.
  • Birds: There are two new records in the Andaman archipelago, including the yellow-rumped flycatcher.
  • Thirty new reptile species and two new records have been discovered.
  • Six new species and one new record for amphibians.
  • Fish: 28 new species and eight new records.
  • The majority of new faunal discoveries are invertebrates, with insects accounting for 384 species.
  • There are 81 species of vertebrates, with fish being the most numerous.

Important species

  • Arunachal Pradesh’s Sela macaque (Macaca selai) is a new monkey species.
  • Macaca leucogenys: A white-cheeked macaque has been spotted for the first time in India.
  • Glischropus meghalayanus is a Meghalayan bamboo-dwelling bat.
  • Ficedula zanthopygia is a yellow-rumped flycatcher found in the Andaman Islands.

Distribution of New Faunal Discoveries

  • The country’s wildlife diversity climbed to 1,03,922 species.
  • Kerala has the most new species discovered, accounting for 14.6% of all new discoveries.
  • Karnataka came in second with 13.2% of new species and records.
  • Tamil Nadu was responsible for 12.6% of all new discoveries and records.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands accounted for around 8.4% of all findings.
  • West Bengal accounted for 7.6% of all new discoveries.
  • Arunachal Pradesh accounts for 5.7% of all new discoveries.

[B] Floral Discoveries

  • “Plant Discoveries 2022,” released by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), comprises 339 new plant taxa.
  • These findings include new species and distributional data.
  • Seed plants, fungus, lichen, algae, bryophytes, microorganisms, and pteridophytes have all been discovered.
  • The majority are seed plants, with dicotyledons accounting for 73% and monocotyledons accounting for 27%.
  • Plant discoveries are common in the Western Himalayas and Western Ghats.
  • Kerala has the most plant discoveries (57), accounting for 16.8% of all discoveries.
  • Wild relatives of promising horticultural, agricultural, medicinal, and ornamental plants have been discovered.

Important Floral Discoveries

  • Nandadevia Pusalkar: A genus found in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand.
  • Nilgiriella Pusalkar is a genus that is only found in the southern Western Ghats.
  • Calanthe lamellosa: An orchid species discovered in Nagaland for the first time.

Conclusion

India continues to improve its understanding of its faunal and floral richness by gathering these new discoveries and records, emphasising the need of conservation efforts.

Source: Vhttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-adds-664-animal-species-to-its-faunal-database-in-2022-339-taxa-to-its-flora/article67030167.ece
Categories
History Trivia

Hul Diwas

Remembering the Santhal Rebellion The Prime Minister observed Hul Diwas, honouring Santhals’ sacrifice in their fight against British colonial rulers.

What exactly is Hul Divas?

  • The Santhal uprising, also known as the ‘Hul,’ was an organised struggle against colonialism launched by the Santhals, who opposed different forms of tyranny inflicted by the British.
  • This article delves into the significance of the Santhal uprising, their identities, the motivations for the Hul, its organisation, and its long-term consequences.

The Santhals’ Migration

  • The Santhal people, also known as Santhalis, migrated from Bengal’s Birbhum and Manbhum regions to modern-day Santhal Pargana.
  • As part of their revenue collection scheme, the British transported the Santhals to the forested area of Damin-i-Koh, displacing the local Pahariya community.
  • The Santhals, on the other hand, endured harsh colonial tyranny, including exploitation by moneylenders and the police.

Reasons behind the Hul

  • The Santhals rebelled against the British due to extortions, oppressive extractions, dispossession of property, false measurements, and other illegalities.
  • Tribal councils and assemblies debated the possibilities of insurrection, which resulted in a great assembly of over 6,000 Santhals on June 30, 1855, signalling the start of the rebellion.
  • The Santhals rose up against the British, led by Sidhu and Kanhu, assaulting symbols of colonial power and executing moneylenders and zamindars.

The Hul Organisation

  • The Hul, contrary to popular opinion, was a well-planned and organised political struggle.
  • Documents and historical records reveal guerrilla formations, military squads, investigators, hidden bases, logistics, and a network of message carriers for coordination.
  • Non-Adivasi Hindu castes also took part in the uprising, reflecting the movement’s diversity.

Hul Facts You May Not Know

  • The participation of 32 towns, both tribal and non-tribal, challenged the concept that the insurrection was purely a Santhal rebellion.
  • Two sisters, Phulo-Jhano, headed an army of 1,000 women, who played critical roles in providing food, gathering information, and attacking British camps.
  • During the insurrection, the East India Company’s army was defeated twice, disproving the assumption that they were invincible.

Narratives and Accounts from the United Kingdom

  • Excessive taxes, dishonesty and carelessness on the part of British officials, extortion by moneylenders, corruption, and persecution are among the causes of the Santhal insurrection, according to British accounts and personal narratives.
  • The miseries inflicted on the Santhals by moneylenders or’mahajans’ were a major reason of the revolt.

Prisoner Testimonies and Divine Intervention

  • Accounts of deities appearing in dreams or before the rebels abound, as they do in past tribal revolutions.
  • Judicial procedures of captive Santhals showed instances in which deities directed rebellion leaders to battle the British and oppressors.

The Hul’s Longevity

  • The Santhal insurrection did not end with its crushing in 1855; it continued to inspire subsequent uprisings, such as the Santhal role in the 1857 mutiny.
  • The Hul revolt symbolised opposition to British rule and provided the groundwork for subsequent movements in Jharkhand.
Source: https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/india/hul-kranti-diwas-when-tribals-took-up-arms-against-british-story-of-their-valor-reminded-by-pm-modi/articleshow/101397955.cms
Categories
Governance

Har Ghar Jal Initiative will fall short of its 2024 goal

  • The Har Ghar Jal programme, which is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, intends to link all rural families in India to potable water by 2024.
  • However, according to several sources and data analysis, the effort is likely to fall short of its goal, with only 75% of village households estimated to have drinking water taps by April 2024.

A Quick Recap of the Har Ghar Jal Initiative

  • Har Ghar Jal (Water to Every Household) is a scheme launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Jal Shakti as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
  • Its goal was to deliver running water to every rural family by 2024.
  • The initiative was announced by the Finance Minister in the 2019 Union budget.
  • Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as Daman and Diu, would become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certified state and UT with 100% tap-water availability in August 2022.
  • Gujarat, Puducherry, and Telangana have also attained 100% tap-water access as of January 2023.
  • Since its start, the scheme has considerably increased the supply of clean tap water in Indian households.

The Initiative’s Difficulties

  • Delayed Progress: The COVID-19 epidemic, as well as a lack of competent labour in states, have contributed to the scheme’s delayed implementation.
  • Shortages of Critical Materials: The current Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused in significant shortages of steel and cement, which are critical for making and connecting metal pipes, causing delays and price increases.
  • Manpower Shortage: Some states had difficulty obtaining skilled personnel to build acceptable-quality tanks, cisterns, and water connections.
  • State-Specific Issues: Certain states, like as Rajasthan, experience difficulties in maintaining water availability, while West Bengal and Kerala face water contamination problems.
  • While states report high coverage figures, there is a significant difference between reported and verified connections.

Progress and Expectations

  • Officials now expect approximately 75% of households to be covered by March 2024, and 80% by December 2024.
  • Work has not yet begun: Approximately one crore homes (5% of the total) are yet to begin work under the scheme.
  • Time constraints: It takes an average of eight months to connect all houses in villages that already have access to water sources, making completion in some places doubtful before 2025-26.

Political Factors and Relationship Status

  • Due to political considerations, certain states, such as Bihar and Telangana, did not rely on central money and did not certify their connection status.
  • Certification’s Importance: The pictures of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister are prominently displayed in “Har Ghar Jal” villages that have been verified as 100% compliant, especially if Central money were utilised.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jal-jeevan-mission-falling-short-of-2024-target/article67029959.ece
Categories
Polity

PRISM is a 24-hour research hotline for MPs

The Lok Sabha The Speaker has established PRISM, a 24-hour research reference telephone hotline for Members of Parliament (MPs) to help with policy concerns.

What exactly is PRISM?

  • The Parliamentary Research and Information Support for Members of Parliament (PRISM) provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends during Parliament Sessions.
  • It intends to assist first-term MPs and those without large secretarial teams who may find it difficult to speak on policy issues in Parliament.
  • A crew of 30-32 policemen rotates around the hotline to give research and reference assistance.

Inquiries and Usage

  • Between 2019 and 2023, 87% of MPs used online or offline reference services, which were also distributed via WhatsApp and email.
  • Enquiries mostly centred on measures such as the Juvenile Justice Bill and the Wildlife Protection Bill, as well as brief talks on themes such as climate change, drug misuse, and price increases.

PRISM is required

  • First-term When asked to debate on bills without considerable research support, MPs frequently experience difficulties.
  • The hotline and reference services have been helpful in supporting MPs and allowing them to meaningfully contribute to debates and discussions.
  • The programme has assisted MPs who may not be fluent in English or Hindi, allowing them to voice relevant topics in Parliament.

Significance

  • Parliament may be a disjointed place, with many cliques and clubs growing over time.
  • Backbenchers, in particular, spend a lot of time in the shadows.
  • PRISM’s research and reference services can help make these years on the backbench more productive by allowing for more informed participation in policy debates.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/24-hour-phone-hotline-for-mps-for-research-help-speaker-birla-channels-his-own-backbencher-struggles/article67030342.ece#:~:text=section%20for%20legislations.-,According%20to%20officials%2C%20the%20Parliamentary%20Research%20and%20Information%20Support%20for,basis%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20an%20official.
Categories
Environment & Biodiversity

Tool for Diversity for Restoration (D4R)

  • Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) researchers adapted the Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool to the Indian context.
  • The tool is intended to aid restoration programmes in India by improving decision-making and fostering long-term development.

What exactly is the D4R tool?

  • Bioversity International created the Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool.
  • It is intended to help promote effective agroforestry and ecosystem restoration.
  • The application intends to assist restoration programme decision-making by giving information on tree species selection and their ecological benefits.

Key D4R Species Identification Features and Functions:

  • Assisting users in identifying tree species that are compatible with their restoration goals.
  • Geographic Suitability: Assisting in the selection of plant species that are best suited to specific geographic regions.
  • Identifying organisms that can tolerate local pressures and adapt to changing environmental conditions is known as resilience and adaptation.
  • Seed Procurement: Providing information on areas and regions where seeds for the relevant species can be obtained.
  • Plant Functional Traits: Incorporating information on tree species’ economic and ecological applications to aid selection.
  • Predicting suitable habitats for certain tree species based on current and future climatic scenarios is known as habitat suitability modelling.
  • Detailed information on the commercial benefits, physiological resilience, windbreaking capabilities, nitrogen-fixing capabilities, and pollinator support of tree species.
Source: https://www.diversityforrestoration.org/
Categories
Science & Tech

The Great Indian Radio Telescope (GMRT) is India’s largest radio telescope

  • The Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) of India is part of an international collaboration including six big telescopes.
  • Through pulsar observations, the telescopes produced evidence supporting the occurrence of gravitational waves.

GMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope)

  • The GMRT is a collection of thirty completely steerable parabolic radio telescopes in India, near Narayangaon.
  • It is widely regarded as the world’s largest and most sensitive low-frequency radio telescope array.
  • The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), a division of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, runs it.
  • Since its construction between 1984 and 1996 under the direction of Late Prof. Govind Swarup, it has made major contributions to the study of astronomy.
  • The GMRT’s recent upgrade has increased its capabilities, earning it the moniker “upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope” (uGMRT).

Location and Specifications

  • The GMRT Observatory is located roughly 80 kilometres north of Pune, near Khodad, with the town of Narayangaon only 9 kilometres away. The NCRA office is on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University.
  • The GMRT is made up of thirty completely steerable parabolic radio telescopes, each with a diameter of 45 metres.
  • The telescopes are arranged in an interferometric array with baselines of up to 25 kilometres, allowing for precise and detailed observations.

Observations and Science

  • Galaxy Formation and 21-cm Line Radiation: The GMRT was designed to look for extremely redshifted 21-cm line radiation from primordial neutral hydrogen clouds, allowing the epoch of galaxy formation in the universe to be determined.
  • Diverse Astronomical Goals: The GMRT is used by astronomers all around the world to study a wide range of astronomical phenomena, including HII regions, galaxies, pulsars, and supernovae, as well as the Sun and solar winds.

Amazing Discoveries

  • The GMRT detected the most distant known galaxy, about 12 billion light-years away, in August 2018.
  • The GMRT performed a critical part in observing the greatest explosion ever recorded in the universe, the Ophiuchus Supercluster explosion, in February 2020.
  • The GMRT detected a radio signal from 8.8 billion light-years away in January 2023, especially a fast radio burst (FRB) known as FRB 2023L.

Recent Discoveries

  • Time Aberrations: The researchers discovered time aberrations in pulsar signals, indicating the presence of gravitational waves.
  • Galactic-Scale Gravitational Wave Detector: To develop a virtual detector sensitive to gravitational wave transmissions, scientists scattered ultra-stable pulsar clocks across the Milky Way.
  • Arrival Time Variations: The presence of gravity waves influenced the arrival times of signals from pulsars, producing tiny delays or advances.

The Importance of the Findings

  • Humming Signals: Nano-hertz signals created by gravity waves were found, allowing their presence in the universe to be identified.
  • Introducing a New Window: The team’s findings mark an important step forward in the investigation of the gravitational wave spectrum, bringing fresh insights into astrophysics.
  • Sensitivity and Timeframe: Due to their sluggish fluctuations, these elusive nano-hertz gravity waves necessitate sensitive telescopes such as GMRT and long-term observations.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/indias-largest-radio-telescope-plays-vital-role-in-detecting-universes-vibrations/article67024093.ece#:~:text=India's%20Giant%20Metrewave%20Radio%20Telescope,observations%2C%20said%20scientists%20on%20Thursday.
Categories
Environment & Biodiversity

In the news: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Debrigarh, a wildlife sanctuary in Odisha’s Bargarh district, has reached a critical milestone by being fully human-free.

Geographic Location of the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary:

  • The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Bargarh district of Odisha, near the city of Sambalpur and adjacent to the Hirakud Dam.
  • Total Area: The sanctuary covers 346.91 km2 in total, offering enough of room for the protection of species and their natural habitats.
  • Flora & Fauna: There are about 40 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, 42 species of fishes, 39 species of odonates, 85 species of butterflies, and 38 species of spiders in the sanctuary.
  • Aquatic wildlife: A distinguishing aspect of the refuge is its support for both terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The existence of the Hirakud reservoir adds to the sanctuary’s allure, drawing a large number of migratory ducks during the winter.
  • Medicinal flora: There are around 250 plant species in the sanctuary, many of which have ethnobotanical and medicinal value.

Benefits to Wildlife Conservation

  • Conflict Reduction: The relocation has resulted in a significant reduction in man-animal conflicts within the 353.81-square-kilometer Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary.
  • Tiger Incursion: A tiger from neighbouring Chhattisgarh recently crossed into Debrigarh, demonstrating the sanctuary’s inviolability.
  • Habitat preservation: Removing human settlements from vital wildlife sanctuaries ensures biodiversity preservation and protection.

Improved Living Conditions:

  • The transfer was required since the villages lacked access to basic facilities such as electricity, healthcare, and education.
  • Compensation: Each qualified household was compensated with 15 lahks for their voluntary move, ensuring their well-being in new settlements.
  • The relocation benefits both the people, who now have access to improved services, and the sanctuary, which is now free of human habitation.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/odishas-debrigarh-sanctuary-freed-from-human-settlement/article67022790.ece
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