UPSC Colourfull Notes 🇮🇳

🌊 #70DM Mapping Series 🗺
🌿 Kappaphycus alvarezii: The Invasive Seaweed Threatening India's Coral Reefs 🚨

In today's Next update, we focus on the invasive red seaweed species, Kappaphycus alvarezii, which has been making headlines in India from May 2023 to June 2024 due to its detrimental impact on coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Tamil Nadu.

Key Highlights:
1. Why it was in the news (May 2023 - June 2024):
- 📰 Invasive spread of Kappaphycus alvarezii in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
- 🚨 Damage to coral reefs by smothering and killing corals
- 🌿 Government push for increased cultivation despite environmental concerns

2. Importance of Kappaphycus alvarezii:
- 🧪 Source of kappa-carrageenan, a gelling agent used in various industries
- 💼 Provides livelihood opportunities through seaweed farming
- 📈 India currently imports 1,500-2,000 tonnes of carrageenan annually

3. Invasive Nature and Impact on Coral Reefs:
- 🌍 Listed as one of the world's 100 most invasive species by IUCN
- 📈 Rapid growth, doubling in size every 15-30 days
- ☠️ Forms thick mats that smother and kill corals by blocking sunlight
- 🌊 Damages coral reefs, particularly affecting Acropora branching corals
- 🚫 Manual removal efforts unsuccessful in controlling the spread

4. Government Initiatives and Concerns:
- 💰 Rs 600 crore allocated to increase seaweed production by 2025
- 🏭 Plans to set up a seaweed park in Tamil Nadu to boost cultivation

5. Invasive Species in India:
- 🌿 Definition of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) according to CBD and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- 🐠 List of invasive wildlife in India, including fish, turtles, and mammals
- 🚫 Impact on native flora and fauna, acting as disruptors in the food chain and ecosystem balance

Stay informed!.

#KappaphycusAlvarezii #InvasiveSeaweed #CoralReefs #GulfOfMannar #InvasiveSpecies #UPSC #IAS #70DayPlan

🌊 #70DM Mapping Series 🗺
🐟 Ghol Fish: The State Fish of Gujarat 🎣

In today's update, we dive into the significance of the Ghol fish, recently declared as the state fish of Gujarat at the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023 in Ahmedabad.

Key Highlights:
1. Why It Was in the News:
- 📰 Ghol fish declared as Gujarat's state fish
- 🎉 Announcement made at the FIRST Global Fisheries Conference India 2023
- 🎯 Aims to highlight its economic value, uniqueness, and conservation needs

2. Scientific Classification:
- 🌍 Global Name: Black-spotted croaker
- 🔬 Scientific Name: Protonibea diacanthus
- 👪 Family: Sciaenidae (drums and croakers)
- 🚨 IUCN Status: Near Threatened

3. Geographical Distribution:
- 🗺 Region: Indo-Pacific region
- 🌊 Range: Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean
- 🇮🇳 In India: Marine areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra

4. Economic Significance:
- 💰 Market Value: Known as 'Sea Gold' for its high value
- 🍽 Uses:
- Meat exported as frozen fillet or whole fish
- Air bladder rich in collagen, used in cosmetics
- 📈 Exports: Significant part of Gujarat's annual fish export value of Rs. 5,000 crore

5. Conservation Status:
- 🔴 IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
- 🌿 Conservation Efforts: Declaration as state fish aims to boost conservation and awareness

6. Additional Benefits:
- 👀 Good for eye health and maintains eyesight
- 👶 Omega-3 content improves infant IQ by stimulating brain cell growth
- 🧴 Prevents aging and wrinkles due to high collagen content

Stay tuned for more exciting updates in our #70DM Mapping Series!

#GholFish #GujaratStateFish #GlobalFisheriesConference #SeaGold #FishConservation #UPSC #IAS #70DayPlan

CSE 2024 prelims Card

https://upsconline.nic.in/eadmitcard/admitcard_csp_2024/

🌊 Day 32 of #70DM Mapping Series 🗺
Northern Sea Route, Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Route & Murmansk Port 🇷🇺🇮🇳

Today, we look into the strategic maritime routes connecting India and Russia - the Northern Sea Route (NSR), Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Route, and the rising significance of Murmansk port.

Key Highlights:
1. Northern Sea Route (NSR):
- 🚢 What is it? Shipping lane along the Russian Arctic coast, connecting Atlantic to Pacific Ocean
- 📏 Distance: Stretches ~5,600 km from Kara Sea to Bering Strait
- 🌍 Jurisdiction: Lies entirely within Russia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- ⏰ Advantages: Shorter distance (up to 40% less than Suez Canal route), time & cost savings, abundant natural resources

2. Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Route:
- 🇮🇳🇷🇺 Connecting: Indian port city of Chennai with Russian port of Vladivostok
- 🌊 Route: Passes through Sea of Japan, South China Sea, Strait of Malacca, Bay of Bengal
- 📏 Distance: ~5,600-5,647 nautical miles (10,300-10,500 km)
- ⏰ Time Savings: Reduces transport time from 40 days (via Europe) to 24 days

3. Murmansk Port:
- 🏗 Location: Russia's main northern gateway, a transshipment hub ~2,000 km northwest of Moscow
- 🇮🇳 India's Share: 35% of 8 million tonnes cargo handled in first 7 months of 2023 (highest)
- 🚢 Cargo to India: Mostly coal, destined for eastern coast of India
- 📈 Growing Trade: Russia's Arctic-India trade via Murmansk is substantial and growing

4. Significance for India:
- 🛢 Energy Security: Import oil, gas, coal from Russia's Arctic reserves via NSR
- 🌐 Trade Diversification: Alternative routes to Europe & Asia, reducing Suez Canal dependence
- 🏔 Strategic Interests: Aligns with India's Arctic policy, aspirations in the region

Stay informed about these evolving maritime routes and their geopolitical implications!

#NorthernSeaRoute #ChennaiVladivostokMaritime #MurmanskPort #IndiaRussiaTrade #ArcticShipping #Day33 #UPSC #IAS #70DayPlan

🌴 Day 33 of #70DM Mapping Series 🗺
PLACES in NEWS- LAKSHADWEEP & MALDIVES🏝
Lakshadweep-Maldives Diplomatic Row 🇮🇳🇲🇻

Today, we look into the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives, sparked by the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Lakshadweep and the subsequent social media promotion of the islands as a potential tourist destination.

Key Highlights:
1. Lakshadweep Islands:
- 🏝 Status: India's smallest Union Territory, an archipelago of 36 islands
- 🌊 Geographic Features: 12 atolls, 3 reefs, 5 submerged banks, 10 inhabited islands
- 🏰 Capital: Kavaratti
- 🚢 Bordering Channels: Eight Degree Channel (separates from Maldives), Nine Degree Channel (separates from main islands)

2. Maldives:
- 🌴 Composition: An independent island nation consisting of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks
- 🌍 Geography and Landscape: Low-lying islands, with highest point only 2.4m above sea level
- 🌡 Elevation and Risk: 80% of land is less than 1 meter above sea level
- 🕌 Main Religion and Culture: Islam is the state religion

3. Channels Bordering Lakshadweep:
- 🌊 Eight Degree Channel: Separates Minicoy (southernmost island of Lakshadweep) and Maldives
- 🚢 Nine Degree Channel: Separates Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago; key shipping passage
- 🏝 Eleven Degree Channel: Separates the Amindivi Islands subgroup from the Laccadive Islands subgroup

4. Diplomatic Tensions:
- 📸 Trigger: Indian PM's visit to Lakshadweep and social media promotion as a tourist destination
- 🌐 Maldives' Concerns: Perceived as an attempt to overshadow Maldives' tourism industry
- 🤝 Resolving the Issue: Diplomatic talks and clarifications to maintain friendly relations

Stay informed! Share this post with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#LakshadweepMaldivesRow #IndianOceanDiplomacy #IslandTerritories #UPSCPreparation #Day33 #UPSC #IAS #CurrentAffairs #Geography

🌿 Day 34 of #70DM Mapping Series 🗺
PLACES in NEWS- MOON🌓
Chandrayaan-3: India's Historic Moon Landing! 🇮🇳🚀

Today, we bring you the latest updates and insights on India's groundbreaking Chandrayaan-3 mission, which made history by successfully soft-landing on the lunar south pole.

Key Highlights:
1. Mission Overview:
- 🚀 Launch: Chandrayaan-3 launched on July 14, 2023 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
- 🌓 Lunar Orbit Insertion: Spacecraft entered lunar orbit on August 5.
- 🌖 Soft Landing: India became the first country to land near the lunar south pole at 69°S on August 23.

2. Achievements:
- 🥇 First Lunar South Pole Landing: ISRO is the first space agency to soft-land near the lunar south pole.
- 🌍 Fourth Country to Soft-Land on Moon: India joins the elite club of USA, Russia, and China.

3. Scientific Objectives:
- 🔬 In-situ Experiments: Lander and rover carried out scientific experiments on the lunar surface.
- 🌡 Thermal Measurements: ChaSTE payload measured thermal conductivity and temperature of the lunar soil.
- 🌊 Water-Ice Detection: Mission aimed to confirm the presence of water-ice in permanently shadowed regions.

4. Propulsion Module:
- 🛰 Earth Orbit Return: Propulsion module successfully returned to Earth orbit on November 22 for extended observations.
- 🌎 SHAPE Payload: Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth payload studied Earth's spectral and polarimetric measurements.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on India's space missions and achievements. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#Chandrayaan3 #IndiaOnMoon #LunarExploration #ISRO #UPSCPreparation #Day34 #UPSC #IAS #CurrentAffairs #Science

🌿 Day 35 of #70DM Mapping Series 🗺

Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh's Protected Areas in News! 🐯🐘

Today, we bring you the latest updates from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh's protected areas making headlines.

Key Highlights:
1. Wildlife Sanctuaries in News:
- 🦌 Nauradehi WLS (MP): Expansion affecting Scheduled Tribes. Merged to create Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
- 🐆 Gandhi Sagar WLS (MP): Being prepared as second home for cheetahs after Kuno.

2. National Parks in News:
- 🐯 Panna NP (MP): Tigress with 4 cubs spotted. Tiger found dead, suspected poaching.
- 🐆 Kuno NP (MP): 10th cheetah death reported since reintroduction. Experts say mismanagement causing deaths.

3. Tiger Reserves in News:
- 🐯 Veerangana Durgavati TR (MP): Notified as MP's 7th and India's 54th tiger reserve in 2023.
- 🐯 Satpura TR (MP): Increased poaching for occult practices. Mentioned in red alert on poaching threat.

4. Chhattisgarh Protected Areas:
- 🌳 Hasdeo Aranya Forests (CG): Protests against coal mining. Over 300,000 trees to be felled, impacting wildlife & villages.
- 🦜 Kanger Valley NP (CG): Bird survey conducted, identified 201 species. Emerging as a birding hotspot.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#MadhyaPradesh #Chhattisgarh #ProtectedAreas #WildlifeSanctuaries #NationalParks #TigerReserves #UPSCPreparation #Day35 #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs

📢 Day 36 of #70DM Mapping Series 🌍

Gujarat's Protected Areas, Species, and GI Tags in News! 🦁🌿

Today, we bring you the latest updates from Gujarat's protected areas, species, and GI tags making headlines.

Key Highlights:
1. Protected Areas in News:
- 🦁 Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary: Reclassification of Asiatic lions from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable' by IUCN. Gujarat govt spent Rs 277 cr on lion conservation in last 2 years.
- 🐆 Banni Grassland Reserve: Approved for setting up a cheetah breeding center.
- 🐻 Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: Proposed as second home for Asiatic lions after Gir.
- 🐺 Other Sanctuaries: Balaram Ambaji WS, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Jambughoda WS, Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Shoolpaneshwar WS, Purna WS mentioned in CAG report for issues like violations, poor management.
- 🦜 Naliya Grassland: Breeding ground of endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB). Only 4 female GIBs remain in Gujarat.

2. Species in News:
- 🦁 Asiatic Lion: Reclassified from 'endangered' to 'vulnerable' by IUCN. 29% population increase from 2015 to 2020.
- 🦜 Great Indian Bustard: Less than 150 individuals remaining. Threats include collision with power lines, habitat loss. Conservation efforts underway.

3. New GI Tags (May 2023 - June 2024):
- 🌴 Kachchhi Kharek (Kutch dates): Indigenous date variety from Kutch region. Second fruit from Gujarat to get GI tag after Gir Kesar mango.
- 👘 Kutch Ajrakh: Traditional textile art of hand-block printing. Age-old craft practiced by artisans in Kutch.
- 🧶 Sujani Weaving of Bharuch: Traditional weaving art from Bharuch district. First GI tagged product from Bharuch.
- 🪨 Ambaji Marble: Marble mined in Ambaji town of Gujarat. GI tag awarded in May 2024.
- 🧵 Soof Embroidery: Intricate embroidery style using satin and chain stitches. Practiced in Banaskantha and Kutch districts.
- 🖌 Sodagari Block Printing: Traditional hand block printing technique with floral, animal and geometric designs. Mainly practiced in Ahmedabad.
- 🪚 Sadeli Craft: Ancient craft of wood marquetry with intricate geometric patterns. Originated in Surat.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#Gujarat #ProtectedAreas #SpeciesInNews #GITags #UPSCPreparation #Day36 #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs

📢 Day 37 of #70DM Mapping Series 🌍

Arunachal Pradesh's Protected Areas, Species, and GI Tags in News! 🐘🌿

Today, we bring you the latest updates from Arunachal Pradesh's protected areas, species, and GI tags making headlines.

Key Highlights:
1. Protected Areas in News:
- 🐘 Dulung-Subansiri Elephant Corridor: Proposal to demarcate the corridor threatened by the Lower Subansiri hydro-project.
- 🦜 Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary: Geopolitical tensions between China and Bhutan over territorial claims.
- 🦆 Namdapha National Park: Habitat of the endangered white-winged duck, Assam's state bird.
- 🌳 Mouling National Park: Located within the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve.

2. First Special Tiger Protection Force:
- 🐯 Arunachal Pradesh signs MoU with NTCA to raise its first Special Tiger Protection Force after a 70% decline in the state's tiger population.

3. Species in News:
- 🌿 Lysionotus namchoomii: New critically endangered epiphytic plant species discovered in Pakke-Kessang district.
- 🦆 White-winged duck: Endangered due to large hydropower dams threatening its habitats.
- 🐿 Namdapha flying squirrel: Critically endangered species endemic to Arunachal Pradesh, rediscovered after 42 years.

4. New GI Tags (May 2023 - June 2024):
- 🧀 Arunachal Yak Churpi: Traditional dairy product from the rare Arunachali yak breed.
- 🍚 Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice): Sticky rice variety grown by the Tai Khamti community.
- 👗 Tangsa Textile: Vibrant textiles crafted by the Tangsa tribe.
- 🌿 Adi Kekir: Unique ginger variety cultivated by the Adi community.
- 🧶 Handmade Carpet: Traditional carpets woven by Tibetan refugee artisans.
- 🪵 Wancho Wooden Craft: Intricate wooden handicrafts made by the Wancho tribe.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#ArunachalPradesh #ProtectedAreas #SpeciesInNews #GITags #UPSCPreparation #Day37 #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs

📢 Day 38 of #70DM Mapping Series 🌍

Karnataka's Protected Areas and Species in News! 🌿

Today, we bring you the latest updates from Karnataka's protected areas and species making headlines.

Key Highlights:
1. Protected Areas and Species in News:
- 🦥 Slender Loris: India's first Slender Loris Community Conservation Reserve proposed in Tumkuru district.
- 🌳 Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary: New genus of wasp named after indigenous Soliga tribe.
- 🐘 Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary: Eco-sensitive zone approved to safeguard forests and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
- 🦜 Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary: National Green Tribunal sets deadline for eco-sensitive zone notification.
- 🦩 New Ramsar Sites: Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary, and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve designated on World Wetlands Day.
- 🐯 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu join hands to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

2. Technology for Wildlife Protection:
- 🖥 HAWK System: Karnataka Forest Department launches Hostile Activity Watch Kernel system to monitor forest and wildlife crimes across the state.

3. Community Conservation:
- 🤝 Community Conservation Reserves: Karnataka's efforts in promoting conservation on private and community lands with local stakeholder involvement.
- 🐦 Kokkre Bellur Community Conservation Reserve: Karnataka's only community conservation reserve, known as the Pelicanry of Karnataka.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants!

#Karnataka #ProtectedAreas #SpeciesInNews #UPSCPreparation #Day38 #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs