News Of The Day 24/06/2024
Forest Fire in Himachal Pradesh.
Problem:
• Since April 15: 1,684 forest fires
• Damaged 17,471 hectares
• Loss to wildlife
• 2001-2023: 957 hectares lost to fires, 4.37 thousand hectares to other causes
Causes:
• Pre-monsoon summer (dryness due to less snow melt)
• Human activities (unattended campfires, cigarettes)
• Forest mismanagement (focusing on resources, not involving locals)
• Increased area of Chir pine trees (prone to fires) due to historical practices
o 1850s: Extensive tree felling for railways
o Banj oak (moisture retention, local use) replaced with Chir pine (timber,
resin)
o Currently: 17.8% of HP’s forest area is Chir pine
Impacts:
• Release of pollutants (black carbon)
• Speeds up glacier melting in Himalayas
• Affects regional climate
Solutions
• Involve local people in forest management
• Restore traditional forest rights (fuel, timber, fodder)
• Create mixed forests (reduce Chir pine)
• Use scientific methods + traditional knowledge
• Implement water management (dams, revive springs)
• Support & funding from 16th Finance Commission (disaster management,
forest care)
Why Clouds Change color?
Sunlight & Water Droplets
• Sunlight splits into colors (prism effect)
• Colors scatter but recombine (many droplets)
• White clouds – scattered light recombines
Rain & Droplet Growth
• Before rain, droplets grow larger and merge
• Larger droplets absorb more light, scatter less
• Cloud base appears grey (less light transmitted)
Grey Cloud Appearance
• Increased absorption, reduced transmission = darker
• Contrast with bright sky enhances grey appearance
Blue Sky
• Rayleigh scattering – shorter wavelengths scattered more
• Blue and violet light scattered, appears blue sky
Sunrise/Sunset
• Light travels through more atmosphere (thicker)
• Shorter wavelengths scattered away (blue)
• Longer wavelengths dominate (red, orange) – red sun, orange/red sky
G7 and India
Objectives:
• Bridge global differences (West vs. Rest)
• Support Ukraine ($50 billion from frozen Russian funds)
• Invest in Africa – clean energy (“Energy for Growth in Africa” summit)
• Tackle global challenges (migration, climate change, AI)
• Address China’s trade practices
• Increase engagement with Global South (G-7 Outreach program)
India’s Role:
• Key member of Global South
• Partner for Western outreach (G-20 troika, “Voice of Global South”)
• Influential participant:
o Highlighted democratic achievements
o Spoke about technology and AI potential
o Stressed global inequality and climate change
o Conducted bilateral meetings (UK, France, Germany, Japan, Italy)
Challenges of G7:
• Perception of Elitism (exclusive, not representative)
• Competition from BRICS
• Effectiveness in global affairs (Ukraine, China, Israel-Gaza)
Future of G7:
• Reinvent itself (membership, strategies)
• 2025 Canada summit – critical moment
• India’s continued participation crucial
Elephants: Gentle Giants of India
Elephant Characteristics
• Largest land animals (2,700 kg – 6,000 kg)
• Trunk: Breathing, smelling, touching, grasping, sounds
• Tusks: Ivory, larger in males
• Large ears for cooling
• Thick skin: Mud baths for protection
Diet and Social Structure
• Herbivores (150 kg food/day)
• Family groups led by females (matriarch)
• Males: Solitary or bachelor groups
Asian Elephants in India
• Predominant species in India
• Smaller than African elephants, smaller ears
• Found in forests (Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha)
• India: 28,000 elephants (Karnataka highest population)
Elephant Conservation Projects in India
• National Heritage Animal Status (2010)
• MIKE Program (2003): Monitors illegal killings
• Elephant Task Force: Human-elephant conflict, conservation solutions
• Project RE-HAB: Bee boxes deter elephant-human conflict
• Haathi Mere Saathi Campaign: Awareness about elephant conservation
• Elephant Corridors: 88 identified corridors for elephant movement between
habitats
