Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 06 November 2024 | Download PDF

• Glacial lakes and other water bodies across the Himalayan region saw a 10.81% increase in area from 2011 to 2024 due to climate change, signaling a heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), according to a Central Water Commission’s (CWC) report.

Key Points:

• • It is a premier technical organization of India in the field of water resources.
  • It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
• Functions:

• • The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating, and furthering, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation, and utilization of water resources throughout the country for purposes of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply, and Water Power Development.
  • It also undertakes the investigations, construction, and execution of any such schemes as required.

• Himachal Pradesh has urged the Centre to explore the possibility of running trains powered by green hydrogen on the Kalka-Shimla heritage rail track, aiming to promote sustainable transportation.

Key Points:

• Green hydrogen is a clean energy source produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro power. 
• It has the potential to become a key player in the transition to a carbon-free economy and can help mitigate climate change. 
• The hydrogen produced can be stored and used as a fuel for transportation, industry, and agriculture.

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has castigated Uttar Pradesh officials for granting mining permissions within a turtle sanctuary, citing concerns over environmental protection and wildlife conservation.

Key Points:

• • NGT has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
  • New Delhi is the principal place of sitting of the tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the tribunal.
• Composition:

• • The Tribunal comprises the Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members.
  • The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court.
  • Other judicial members are retired judges of High Courts.
  • Each bench of the NGT will comprise of at least one judicial member and one expert member.
  • Expert members should have a professional qualification and a minimum of 15 years’ experience in the field of environment/forest conservation and related subjects.
• The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.

• A new study says scientists have discovered a “black hole triple” in space for the first time. 

Key Points:

• Black holes are formed after the supernova explosion when the core of a massive dying star more than 2.5 times the mass of the Sun collapses until an infinite density where gravity is so high that even light cannot escape.
• The discovery of the Black Hole started with the discussion on objects with gravitational fields that are too powerful for light to escape by John Michell and Pierre-Simon Laplace in the 18th century. 
• They have a significant role in various aspects of astrophysics and astronomy. These include:
• Insights into Stellar evolution: The formation and evolution of stellar black holes offer valuable information about the life cycles of massive stars and supernova mechanics.
• Galaxy dynamics and evolution: Supermassive black holes at the centres of galaxies significantly influence the dynamics and evolution of their host galaxies, affecting star formation rates and the distribution of matter.
• Supermassive black holes power the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), which are extremely luminous regions found at the centres of some galaxies. They are among the brightest and most energetic objects in the universe.
• Gravitational wave astronomy: The merging of black holes is a primary source of gravitational waves, offering a new way to observe and understand the universe, complementing traditional electromagnetic observations.

• It is an annual report published by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key Points:

• Highlights of the 2024 Report:
  • It shows 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, a figure that represents the highest number of TB cases recorded by the WHO since it began global TB monitoring in 1995.
  • It also marks a significant increase from the 7.5 million new TB cases reported in 2022.
  • Although the estimated number of 1.25 million TB deaths in 2023 is down from the 1.32 million recorded in 2022 and continues a declining trend from the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, that number still far surpasses the 320,000 COVID deaths officially reported to the WHO last year.
  • The data show that 30 mostly low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear 87% of the global TB burden, with five countries—India (26%), Indonesia (10%),China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), and Pakistan (6.3%)—combining for 56% of the burden. 
  • 55 percent of people who developed TB were men, 33 percent were women, and 12 percent were children and young adolescents.
  • According to the report, a significant number of new TB cases are driven by five major risk factors: undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use disorders, smoking, and diabetes.
  • In 2023, India was estimated to have had 27 lakh TB cases, of which 25.1 lakh persons were diagnosed and put on treatment. 
  • This has buoyed India’s treatment coverage to 89 percent in 2023 from 72 percent in 2015, thereby bridging the gap of missing cases.
  • It acknowledged a drop in India’s TB incidence – from 237 per lakh population 2015, to 195 per lakh population in 2023, accounting for a 17.7 percent decline.

• Odisha is intensifyingly claiming for a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for the famed Nayagarh green gram (muga dali) known for its distinctive aroma and taste
• However, the closure of a research center has stalled the process of obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for green gram in a specific region. 
• The GI tag would have helped farmers in the region by recognizing the unique quality and origin of their green gram, potentially leading to higher market value and better opportunities for them.

Refer to Addapedia notes for detailed info on GI tag.

• The Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) unit of Odisha was honored for its excellent work in public health surveillance at the 20th commemorative event of IDSP held in New Delhi.
• This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and commitment towards safeguarding public health in the state.
• The State Surveillance Unit functions round the clock during natural disasters such as floods and cyclones to ensure timely detection and response to disease outbreaks.

About:

• The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) is a nationwide disease surveillance system in India that aims to detect and monitor diseases early on, enabling efficient policy decisions. 
• It was established in 2004 with the assistance of the World Bank

• Tuhin Kanta Pandey, 1987-batch IAS officer of Odisha cadre, was recently assigned the additional charge of Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
• This comes almost two months after he was designated as the Finance Secretary.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has assigned him the additional charge with immediate effect and till the appointment of a regular incumbent.

• The Government of India has decided to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Harekrushna Mahatab, a prominent Indian freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Odisha, as a national event.

About:

• Harekrushna Mahatab, popularly known as “Utkal Keshari” (Lion of Odisha), was a prominent Indian statesman and freedom fighter. 
• He played a pivotal role in the Indian independence movement and the formation of the state of Odisha.

Key Contributions:

• Freedom Fighter: He was actively involved in the Indian National Congress and participated in various movements against British rule, including the Quit India Movement.
• Chief Minister of Odisha: He served as the Chief Minister of Odisha twice, from 1946 to 1950 and again from 1956 to 1961. 
• During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the integration of princely states into Odisha and the establishment of Bhubaneswar as the state capital.

• Nandankanan Zoo is set to welcome 15 new animal species through an animal exchange program. 
• This initiative aims to introduce genetic diversity and enrich the zoo’s collection. 
• The new arrivals will include various mammals, birds, and reptiles. 

About:

• Nandankanan Zoological Park is a significant zoo and botanical garden in Odisha. 
• It’s known for its unique features and commitment to wildlife conservation.
• Spread over 437 hectares, it’s nestled within the Chandaka forest, providing a natural habitat for its inhabitants.   
• A major attraction, offering visitors a chance to see majestic white tigers in their natural environment

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