Topic 1: One China Policy

Context: An agreement was signed between China and Honduras to establish diplomatic ties, after Honduras ended its diplomatic ties with Taiwan..

What is the One China Policy?


Topic 2: Dispute over Dawoodi Bohras’ Dai, or religious leader

Context: The Bombay High Court will again hear the dispute between the current leader of the Dawoodi Bohra sect and his challenger to the post.

Who are Dawoodi Bohras?

What is the dispute?

How is the leader picked?


Topic 3: Aravalli Green Wall Project

Context: Shri Bhupender Yadav launches Aravalli Green Wall Project, a major initiative to green 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in four states

Key details:


Topic 4: Innovations For Defence Excellence (IDEX) Scheme

Context: The Defence Minister informed the  Parliament about IDEX scheme.

About the scheme:


Topic 5: Daylight Saving Time

Context: Lebanon was thrown into mass confusion after its government at the last minute delayed the start of daylight saving time by a month. Meanwhile, Greenland has chosen to stay with daylight saving time forever.

What is daylight saving time?

Rationale behind this system:

Origin of the practice:


Topic 6: PARIVESH Portal

Context: PARIVESH Portal provides a “single window” solution for an expeditious, transparent and effective decision making without compromising on  environmental safeguards

About Parivesh:


Topic 7: Wetlands in India

Context: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) scheme implemented for conservation and management of wetlands (includes lakes) in the country on cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments

Key details:

Definition of a Wetland

Wetlands in India:

The Ramsar Convention

Sr. No. State/Union Territory Wetland
1 Andhra Pradesh Kolleru
2 Assam Deepar Beel
  Urpad Beel
  Sone Beel
3 Bihar Kabar
  Barilla
  Kusheshwar Asthan
4 Gujarat Nalsarovar
  Great Rann of Kachh
  Thol Bird Sanctuary
  Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
  Little Rann of Kachh
  Pariej
  Wadhwana
  Nanikakrad
5 Haryana Sultanpur
  Bhindawas
6 Himachal Pradesh Renuka
  Pong Dam
  Chandratal
  Rewalsar
  Khajjiar
7 Jammu & Kashmir Wullar
  Tso Morari
  Tisgul Tso & Chisul Marshes
  Hokersar
  Mansar-Surinsar
  Ranjitsagar
  Pangong Tsar
  Gharana
  Hygam
  Mirgund
  Shalbugh
  Chushul & Hanley
8 Jharkhand Udhwa
  Tilaiya Dam
9 Karnataka Magadhi
  Gudavi Bird Sanctuary
  Bonal
  Hidkal  & Ghataprabha
  Heggeri
  Ranganthittu
  K.G. Koppa wetland
10 Kerala Ashtamudi
  Sasthamkotta
  Kottuli
  Kadulandi
  Vembnad Kol
11 Madhya Pradesh Barna
  Yashwant  Sagar
  Wetland of Ken River
  National Chambal Sanctuary
  Ghatigaon
  Ratapani
  Denwa Tawa wetland
  Kanha Tiger Reserve
  Pench Tiger Reserve
  Sakhyasagar
  Dihaila
  Govindsagar
  Sirpur
12 Maharashtra Ujni
  Jayakawadi
  Nalganga wetland
13 Manipur Loktak
14 Meghalaya Umiam lake
15 Mizoram Tamdil
  Palak
16 Odisha Chilika
  Kuanria wetland
  Kanjia wetland
  Daha wetland
  Anusupa
17 Punjab Harike
  Ropar
  Kanjli
  Nangal
18 Rajasthan Sambhar
19 Sikkim Khechuperi  Holy Lake
  Tamze Wetland
  Tembao Wetland Complex
  Phendang  Wetland Complex
  Gurudokmar Wetland
  Tsomgo wetland
20 Tamil Nadu Point Calimere
  Kaliveli
  Pallaikarni
21 Tripura Rudrasagar
  Gumti reservoir
22 Uttar Pradesh Nawabganj
  Sandi
  Lakh Bahoshi
  Samaspur
  Alwara Wetland
  Semarai Lake
  Nagaria   lake
  Keetham  Lake
  Shekha wetland
  Saman Bird Sanctuary
  Sarsai Nawar
  Patna Bird Sanctuary
  Chandotal
  Taal Bhaghel
  Taal Gambhirvan & Taal Salona
  Aadi jal Jeev Jheel
23 Uttarakhand Ban Ganga Jhilmil Tal
  Asan
24 West Bengal East Kolkata Wetland
  Sunderbans
  Ahiron Beel
  Rasik Beel
  Santragachi
  Patlakhawa-  Rasomati
25 Chandigarh (UT) Sukhna
26 Puducherry ( UT) Ousteri lake

Types of Wetlands in India

Significance of Wetlands

Threats to wetlands:

Urbanization Wetlands near urban centres are under increasing developmental pressure for residential, industrial and commercial facilities.
Anthropogenic activities Due to unplanned urban and agricultural development, industries, road construction, impoundment, resource extraction and dredge disposal, wetlands have been drained and transformed, causing substantial economic and ecological losses in the long term.
Agricultural activities Following the Green Revolution of the 1970s, vast stretches of wetlands have been converted to paddy fields.Construction of a large number of reservoirscanals and dams to provide for irrigation significantly altered the hydrology of the associated wetlands.
Hydrologic activities Construction of canals and diversion of streams and rivers to transport water to lower arid regions for irrigation has altered the drainage pattern and significantly degraded the wetlands of the region.
Deforestation Removal of vegetation in the catchment leads to soil erosion and siltation
Pollution Unrestricted dumping of sewage and toxic chemicals from industries has polluted many freshwater wetlands
Salinization Over withdrawal of groundwater has led to salinization
Aquaculture Demand for shrimps and fishes has provided economic incentives to convert wetlands and mangrove forests to develop pisciculture and aquaculture ponds.
Introduced species Indian wetlands are threatened by exotic introduced plant species such as water hyacinth and salvinia.They clog waterways and compete with native vegetation.
Climate change Increased air temperature; shifts in precipitation; increased frequency of storms, droughts, and floods; increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration; and sea level rise could also affect wetlands.

Conclusion:


Topic 8: Offences under Wildlife Protection Act

Context: UP man booked under Wildlife Protection Act for keeping injured Sarus crane.

What is the Wildlife Protection Act?

What are the Schedules listed in the Act?

What is the law on animals and birds under Schedule IV?

What are the penalties for violating the provisions of the WPA?

What are the powers of the state government?

The 2022 Amendment to the WPA


Topic 9: Affinity test

Context: An affinity test cannot be the litmus test to decide a caste claim, the Supreme Court has held in a judgment.

What is affinity test?

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