A boat carrying 13 Egyptian migrants to Europe has capsized off Libya's coast, killing all on board except for one person. The boat capsized 60 km. east of the city of Tobruk.
About Libya:
It is a country located in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north.
It shares its borders with:
Egypt to the east
Sudan to the southeast
Chad and Niger to the south
Algeria to the west
Tunisia to the northwest
Its capital city is Tripoli, located on the country's northwestern coast. Other major cities include Benghazi, Misrata, and Sabha
The city of Leptis Magna, a Roman archaeological site, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historical background:
Libya was under Ottoman rule for centuries and became an Italian colony in the early 20th century.
After World War II, Libya gained independence in 1951 and became a monarchy under King Idris.
In 1969, Muammar Gaddafi led a coup that ousted King Idris and established a socialist government.
His rule was characterized by authoritarianism, unconventional policies, and control over the country's vast oil resources. The country went through periods of international isolation and conflict during his rule.
In 2011, Libya became a focal point of the Arab Spring uprisings.
Protests against Gaddafi's regime led to a violent conflict, with Western military intervention. Gaddafi was eventually captured and killed, leading to a power vacuum and instability.
After Gaddafi's fall, Libya struggled with governance issues, the rise of militias, and tribal divisions. It split into multiple factions, with the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in the west and the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar in the east.
Libya possesses significant oil reserves, making oil exports a crucial component of its economy. However, political instability and conflicts have often disrupted oil production and exports.
It is home to diverse ethnic and tribal groups, including Arab-Berber.
Geography
Topic: Lakes
2. Vembanad Lake
Why in the news?
Stating that Vembanad Lake is facing an ecological crisis, the Agriculture Minister has said that a scientific approach should guide the water body's conservation efforts.
He was inaugurating a one-day workshop on the rejuvenation and conservation of Vembanad Lake organized by the Alappuzha district administration.
About Vembanad Lake:
It is the largest lake in Kerala and the longest Lake in India.
It is also known as Vembanad Kayal, Vembanad Kol, Punnamada Lake (in Kuttanad) and Kochi Lake (in Kochi).
It has its source in four rivers i.e. Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa and Manimala.
It is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow barrier island and is a popular backwater stretch in Kerala.
Vallam Kali (i.e Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is a Snake Boat Race held every year in the month of August in Vembanad Lake.
In 2002, it was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention.
The Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetland under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the east coast of the lake.
National Wetland Conservation Programme:
It was launched in 1985.
It seeks to address the mounting threats to these fragile wetland ecosystems and promote their conservation.
Furthermore, it aligns with international efforts to protect wetlands, including designating certain sites as Ramsar Sites, signifying their global significance.
The key objectives of NWCP includes:
Identification and Assessment: The program involves the identification and delineation of wetlands across India. This process includes surveys and scientific assessments to categorize wetlands based on their ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic significance.
Conservation and Management: Once identified, the wetlands are subjected to conservation and management measures to prevent degradation. These actions include habitat restoration, controlling pollution, and managing water resources sustainably.
Capacity Building: The program emphasizes capacity building at the local, state, and national levels. Training and awareness programs are conducted to involve local communities and stakeholders in wetland conservation efforts.
Research and Monitoring: Ongoing research and monitoring activities are crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of wetlands and assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures.
Legal Framework: The NWCP supports the development and enforcement of legal and policy frameworks for wetland conservation and protection.
Topic: Lakes
3. Ashtamudi Lake
Why in the news?
Mass fish kill in Ashtamudi Lake at Kadavur in Kollam triggers panic Residents say leachate released into the lake, resulting in contamination, caused the fish kill.
About Ashtamudi Lake:
It is a Ramsar wetland located in Kollam district of Kerala.
It is known for its panoramic beauty and eight channels that connect to one lake. It is because of its eight 'arms' or channels, that the lake is named Ashtamudi.
It is the second largest lake in Kerala, which has found its way into the sea through the Neendakara estuary.
Kallada river is the major source of water for Ashtamudi lake.
The historical significance of Ashtamudi lake dates back to the 14th century when the lake surroundings were the important port connecting the ancient city of Quilon to the rest of the world.
Historical records of the Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta highlights Quilon city, in the banks of Ashtamudi lake as one of the major trading centers in the ancient period.
Different species of marshy mangroves were reported in the region, including two endangered species called Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.
Kallada River:
It is the longest river in Kollam District, Kerala, India.
It originates in Kulathupuzha, in the Western Ghats, and flows west, reaching the Arabian Sea after traveling a distance of 120 km (75 mi).
Environment and Ecology
Topic: Protected Areas
4. Pranhita wildlife sanctuary
Why in the news?
The national board for wildlife's decision to defer road expansion projects affecting the Pranhita wildlife sanctuary reflects growing environmental concerns. It impacts two major infrastructure proposals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.
About Pranhita wildlife sanctuary:
It is a protected area located in Mancherial district (Old Adilabad District) of Telangana.
It is situated on the banks of Pranahita River, 35 km away from Mancherial town.
It is famous for Blackbuck and over 20 species of reptiles, over 50 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals.
It was established on 13 March 1980, and covers an area of 136.02 km2.
It encompasses southern tropical dry deciduous forests, with dry shrub jungle and grasslands.
Pranahita River:
It is the largest tributary of Godavari River covering about 34% of its drainage basin conveying the combined waters of Penganga, Wardha and Wainganga Rivers.
It drains a large part of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, as well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Range in southeast Madhya Pradesh.
It flows along the border of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and Komaram Bheem Asifabad district in Telangana.
Its sub-basin is the seventh largest in India, making it larger than the individual basins of Narmada and Kaveri.
Topic: Protected Areas
5. Keibul Lamjao National Park
Why in the news?
18 species of ducks found in Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP).
The survey was made to identify major northern wintering and waterbird congregation sites in KLNP by identifying five major congregation sites
About Keibul Lamjao National Park:
It is the world’s only floating national park.
It is located in the Bishnupur district in Manipur, in the southwestern part of the Loktak Lake, which is well known for the floating biomass called phumdis.
This is the last natural habitat of the endangered brow-antlered deer (Sangai deer), the dancing deer of Manipur.
It encompasses a combination of wetland, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Flora:
It comprises Khoimom, Wild Rice, Singnang, Tinthou, Phumha etc.
Another kind of aquatic flora, phumdis, can be found in two types phumdi aruppa (sinking) and phumdi ataoba (floating).
Fauna:
Wild boar, Hog deer, common otter, Large Indian jungle cat, fox, Bay bamboo rat, golden cat, etc. are commonly found here.
Sangai deer:
It is also known as Brow antlered deer or Dancing Deer.
It is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park.
It is a medium-sized deer, with uniquely distinctive antlers, with extremely long brow tine, which forms the main beam.
It has a dark reddish-brown winter coat, which turns paler in summer.
Conservation Status:
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Loktak Lake:
It is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
It is famous for the phumdis floating over it.
It was designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990.
It is also listed under the Montreux Record in 1993, "a record of Ramsar sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring or are likely to occur".
Science and Technology
Topic: Health
6. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
Why in the news?
Mumbai is currently experiencing an increase in Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) among young children, particularly those under five years old, who are more susceptible due to their weakened immune systems.
This rise in cases coincides with seasonal changes as the city transitions from warmer to cooler weather.
About Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease:
It is a viral infection common in young children that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area.
It is characterized by blisters or sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet. The infection can affect people of all ages, but it usually occurs in children under age 5.
It is caused by viruses from the non-polio Enterovirus genus, most commonly the
It can spread from person to person through direct contact with unwashed hands or surfaces contaminated with faeces. It can also be transmitted through contact with a person’s saliva, stool, or respiratory secretions.
Its symptoms include fever, sore throat, feeling of sickness, loss of appetite, fussiness, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks, rashes on the palms and soles.
In most cases, the infection goes away without treatment in 7 to 10 days. However, doctors recommend certain treatments to help ease symptoms until the disease has run its course.
Topic: Space
7. Tiangong Space Station
Why in the news?
China declared a “complete success” after launching a new three-person crew to its orbiting Tiangong space station. The country aims to expand its exploration of outer space with missions to the moon and beyond.
The Shenzhou-19 spaceship, carrying the trio, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, atop a Long March-2F rocket, the backbone of China’s crewed space missions.
About Tiangong Space Station:
It is a modular space station being constructed by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
It is the first space station built by China.
It is currently in low Earth orbit (LEO), and it is expected to be operational until 2028.
It is a three-module space station. The core module, Tianhe, launched in April 2021, followed by the Wentian and Mengtian experiment modules in 2022.
It is smaller and lighter than the International Space Station (ISS), with only three modules compared to the ISS's 16 modules.
It can accommodate up to three astronauts at a time for six-month stays. It can also support six astronauts at a time during crew handovers.
It has its own power, propulsion, life support systems, and living quarters.
It is planned to share its orbit with the Xuntian space telescope to allow astronauts to easily repair and upgrade the telescope.
China is only the third country to have put both astronauts into space and build a space station, after the Soviet Union (now Russia) and the US.
China is excluded from the ISS programme, largely due to U.S. concerns over the Chinese space programs' links with the People's Liberation Army.
In 2011, the US Congress prohibited NASA from cooperating substantially with its Chinese counterpart without prior authorization. This law, known as the Wolf Amendment, makes it very difficult for China to participate in the ISS programme.
International Space Station (ISS):
It is a large, habitable spacecraft in low Earth orbit that serves as a space laboratory, living quarters for astronauts, and a platform for various scientific experiments and international cooperation.
It is a collaborative project involving multiple space agencies, including NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and CSA (Canadian Space Agency).
Topic: Health
8. Leptospirosis
Why in the news?
Scientists at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) are working on the next generation vaccine against ‘Leptospirosis’, a serious disease affecting both animals and people, caused by a bacteria called ‘Leptospira’, which has over 300 different types of strains. This zoonotic (affecting humans and animals) disease remains a public health concern as it has become more of a threat having escalated prevalence due to the impacts of climate change and global warming.
About Leptospirosis:
It is also known as “rat fever”.
It is a rare bacterial infection that affects people and animals.
It is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans, or Leptospira.
It is most common in tropical areas and warmer climates with lots of rainfall each year.
Transmission:
The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs.
Infected animals spread the bacteria through their urine (pee). They may continue to urinate the bacteria into the environment for several months or years.
The bacteria can survive in contaminated water or soil for weeks to months.
It is not spread from person to person, except in very rare cases.
Symptoms:
It generally takes 2-30 days to get sick after having contact with the bacteria. Leptospirosis may occur in two phases.
In the first phase, people may have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. The person may feel better for a while but become ill again.
Some people may suffer a more severe second phase with kidney or liver failure, or inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Treatment:
It can be treated with antibiotics, including penicillin and doxycycline.
Art and Culture
Topic: Temple architecture
9. Konark wheel
Why in the news?
Four replicas of the Konark wheels, made of sandstone, have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan.
Installation of Konark wheels aims to showcase and promote the rich heritage of the country among visitors. This initiative is part of the several steps being taken to introduce traditional cultural and historical elements in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About Konark wheel:
It was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I.
The wheel with 24 spokes is also adapted into India's national flag embodies India's ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.
The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel symbolizes time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change.
It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.
Konark Sun temple:
It is located on the eastern shores of India.
It is the culmination of Kalinga style of temple architecture, with all its defining elements in complete and perfect form. It was built in an angular format.
It was built in 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (r. 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
The temple in its present state was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1984.
The word 'Konark' is a combination of two Sanskrit words ‘kona’ (corner or angle) and ‘ark’ (the sun). It thus implies that the main deity was the sun god.
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