UPSC Quiz – 2024 : IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs Quiz 9th May 2024

·       It is a disease caused by the West Nile Virus (WNV).

·       WNV is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.

·       The virus is commonly found in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and West Asia.

·       Birds are the natural hosts of WNV.

Symptoms:

·       Most people infected by the virus are asymptomatic (no symptoms).

·       Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasional skin rash, and swollen lymph glands.

·       The symptoms of severe disease (also called neuro invasive disease, such as West Nile encephalitis or meningitis or West Nile poliomyelitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor (near-unconsciousness), disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

·       It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes get the virus when they bite an infected bird.

·       There is no evidence that WNV can be spread directly from one person to another.

·       But there have been a few cases where it has spread through organ transplants.

·       It is located at Goa and at NCPOR the scientific mandate is multidisciplinary.

·       Year-round maintenance of the two Indian stations (Maitri & Bharati) in Antarctica is the primary responsibility of the Centre.

·       Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2011) were established, for carrying out research by the Indian scientists in all disciplines of polar research.

·       NCPOR has the Governing Body comprising 13 members representing a cross section of the country’s leadership in Polar and Ocean Sciences, research education and administration.

·       Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the Chairman (exofficio) of the Governing Body.

·       Guidance to the Centre in all its financial affairs is provided by an eight-member Finance Committee (FC) headed by the Financial Adviser of the Ministry.

·       Financial affairs includes finalization of the annual budget, monitoring of the expenditure and review of the Audit Reports.

·       India, along with Italy and Japan, share the facilities at the Gruvebadet laboratory located in Artic. Gruvebadet is an initiative of CNR.

·       In future, NCPOR would encourage novel project ideas that require Arctic winter setting, darkness for performing observations within limited mobility.

·       Financial affairs includes finalization of the annual budget, monitoring of the expenditure and review of the Audit Reports.

·       The Pyrenees are a chain of mountains in southwestern Europe that form a natural border between Spain and France.

·       It is a fold mountain chain created by the continental collision of the microcontinent of Iberia with the massive Eurasian plate.

·       They are quite old mountains in comparison to the Alps.

·       It extends for about 500 km from the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea in the east to the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic Ocean) in the west.

·       At the eastern end, it is six miles wide and 80 miles wide at the center.

·       Politically, it is divided into the Spanish and French Pyrenees. The tiny country of Andorra is found sandwiched between them, in the eastern part of the Pyrenees Mountains.

·       It separates the rest of continental Europe from the Iberian Peninsula.

·       The western end of the Pyrenees Mountains merges with the Cantabrian Mountains, located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.

·       Located in Spain, Aneto Peak, is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees Mountains (3,404 m).

·       The cultivation of arecanut is mostly confined to 28º north and south of the equator.

·       Temperature: It grows well within the temperature range of 14ºC and 36ºC.

·       Soil: The largest area under the crop is found in gravelly laterite soils of red clay type. It can also be grown on fertile clay loam soils. Sticky clay, sandy, alluvial, brackish and calcareous soils are not suitable for arecanut cultivation.

·       Rain: It can be grown in areas receiving annual rainfall of 750 mm.

·       Altitude: It can be cultivated upto an altitude of 1000 m from mean sea level.

·       It is one of the important commercial crops grown in India.

·       India is the largest producer of arecanut and at the same time largest consumer also.

·       Major states cultivating this crop are Karnataka (40%), Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

·       In India, the potential for utilising constructed wetlands in industrial wastewater treatment is immense.

·       Traditional treatment methods are often inadequate to handle the diverse array of pollutants present.

·       Constructed wetlands offer a promising, eco-friendly alternative.

·       Constructed wetlands are engineered systems that mimic natural wetlands and utilize plants, microbes, and soil to purify wastewater.

·       They are typically divided into 2 categories that includes subsurface flow (SSF) and surface flow (SF).

·       Subsurface Flow (SSF) wetland – It directs wastewater through gravel beds or porous media, promoting microbial activity that degrades organic matter.

·       Surface Flow (SF) wetland – It demonstrates their aesthetic appeal above the water’s surface, with gently flowing streams and lush vegetation.

Benefits of constructed wetlands

·       Cost-effective – Lower construction and maintenance costs compared to traditional methods.

·       Versatile – Adaptable to treat various types of industrial wastewater.

·       Environmental benefits – Promote biodiversity, flood control, and carbon sequestration.

·       Scalable and adaptable – Can be designed for different sizes and treatment needs (centralized or decentralized).

·       Challenges – Clear policies, incentives, technical expertise, and ongoing research are needed to overcome challenges.

·       Community involvement is crucial for long-term sustainability.

·       Constructed wetlands have the potential to significantly contribute to sustainable industrial practices and water resource conservation in India.

Examples of Constructed wetlands

·       Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi – It aids in purifying sewage from nearby settlements while also providing a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna, thus contributing to regional biodiversity conservation.

·       Perungudi and Kodungaiyur regions of Chennai , Tamil Nadu – These wetlands effectively treat sewage from local communities, alleviating the burden on centralised treatment facilities and significantly reducing pollutant levels.

·       Kolkata East Wetlands in West Bengal – Play a vital role in treating wastewater from Kolkata and its environs while also offering livelihood opportunities for local communities engaged in fishing and agriculture.

·       Palla village in Haryana – It helps enhance water quality in the Yamuna and mitigates pollution levels downstream, benefiting both human populations and aquatic ecosystems.

·       Auroville, an international township in Tamil Nadu – To manage sewage generated within its premises.

·       Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan – This approach not only addresses the sanitation needs of local communities but also aids in maintaining the ecological integrity of the reserve, supporting the conservation of wildlife habitats.