RPSC Monthly Current Affairs: June 2024 | Monthly Current Affairs RPSC - RPSC RAS (Rajasthan) PDF Download

Fennel Cultivation in Rajasthan

After a comprehensive three-year study, four desert districts in Rajasthan that rely on saline water for irrigation are poised to become key centers for fennel production. The research was carried out in the districts of Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, and Barmer.

Overview of Fennel

• Fennel, scientifically known as Foeniculum vulgare, is a resilient, perennial herb characterized by its yellow flowers and feathery leaves.
• Rajasthan and Gujarat are the top producers of fennel in India, accounting for approximately 96% of the total production.

Fennel Cultivation in Rajasthan

• In Rajasthan, Nagaur district leads in fennel cultivation, with 10,000 hectares dedicated to its growth. Other districts where fennel is cultivated include Sirohi, Jodhpur, Jalore, Bharatpur, and Sawai Madhopur.

Research Findings

• The trials conducted during the study evaluated the yield and salt tolerance of various fennel varieties, yielding promising results.
• The RF-290 fennel variety was identified as suitable for irrigation with saline water.
• Implementing drip irrigation with saline water has the potential to expand fennel production areas and enhance productivity, making agriculture more profitable for farmers growing this spice.
• The study indicated that experimental irrigation could produce around nine quintals of fennel per hectare, and good yields can also be achieved in areas irrigated by tube wells.

Rajasthan to Construct Water Harvesting Units

In response to water scarcity issues in various regions, the Rajasthan government has decided to intensify its efforts under the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan 2.0 initiative.

• This initiative aims to construct 500,000 water harvesting structures in 20,000 villages over the next four years.
• Rajasthan, one of the driest states in India, faces a persistent lack of water due to its low annual rainfall, ranging from 100 mm to 800 mm. This leads to severe water shortages, even for basic drinking needs in many areas.
• Rainfall is the primary source for replenishing groundwater in the state, but water levels vary significantly across different regions. A government report has highlighted Rajasthan as a state where groundwater sources have been overexploited.
• To address these challenges, the Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation (RIICO) has recently issued a notification mandating the installation of rainwater harvesting systems for individuals leasing plots of 500 square meters or more.
• This initiative aims to enhance water conservation efforts and improve groundwater levels. Additionally, the Rajasthan Police Housing and Construction Corporation Limited (RPH&CCL) will incorporate rainwater harvesting in its ongoing building projects.
• The Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan, launched by the Chief Minister on January 27, 2016, from village Gardan Kheri in Jhalawar district, is based on the concept of harvesting four types of water: runoff (rainwater, groundwater, underground water, and in-situ soil moisture) in rural areas.
• The initiative involves treating the catchment area, proper utilization, renovation, and creation of new water harvesting structures.
• RIICO, established in 1980 as a premier agency of the Rajasthan government, has played a crucial role in the industrial development of the state.
• Originally set up as the Rajasthan State Industrial & Mineral Development Corporation (RSIMDC) in 1969, it was divided into two entities in 1980: RIICO and the Rajasthan State Mineral Development Corporation (RSMDC).

Development of Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit

During the inauguration of Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations in Udaipur, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced a significant Rs 100 crore investment to develop the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit.

• This initiative aims to honor the legacy of Maharana Pratap, a 16th-century king renowned for his bravery, courage, and patriotism, and to inspire youth worldwide.
• The Rajasthan government is also working on implementing innovative advancements in medical science and AI-based technologies to enhance health facilities for both locals and tourists.

Historical Background

• Rana Pratap Singh, widely known as Maharana Pratap, was born on May 9, 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. He was the 13th king of Mewar and the eldest son of Udai Singh II, who ruled the kingdom of Mewar with its capital at Chittor.
• Maharana Udai Singh II was also the founder of the city of Udaipur in Rajasthan.

Battle of Haldighati:

• The Battle of Haldighati took place in 1576 between Rana Pratap Singh of Mewar and Raja Man Singh of Amber, who was a general under the Mughal emperor Akbar. Despite Maharana Pratap's bravery, he was defeated in this battle.
• It is said that during the battle, Maharana Pratap's loyal horse, Chetak, sacrificed its life while helping the Maharana escape from the battlefield.

Reconquest:

• After 1579, the pressure from the Mughal forces on Mewar eased, allowing Maharana Pratap to regain control over Western Mewar, including areas like Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, and Gogunda. 
• During this period, he also established a new capital at Chavand, located near present-day Dungarpur.

Death of Maharana Pratap

• Maharana Pratap, the legendary Rajput king, passed away on January 19, 1597. Following his death, his son, Amar Singh, succeeded him. 
• Amar Singh later submitted to Emperor Jahāngīr, the son of Akbar, in 1614.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Launched on February 24, 2019, to support the financial needs of landholding farmers.

Financial Benefits:

• Provides ₹6,000 per year to farmers in three installments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Scope of the Scheme:

• Initially for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) with up to 2 hectares, now covers all landholding farmers.

Funding and Implementation:

• 100% funded by the Government of India.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Objectives:

• To assist Small and Marginal Farmers in purchasing inputs for crop health and yield.
• To protect them from moneylenders and ensure their continued farming activities.

PM-KISAN Mobile App:

• Developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Physical Verification Module:

• Annual physical verification of 5% beneficiaries as per scheme provisions.

Recent Increase in Assistance:

• Rajasthan government raised the annual honorarium to farmers from ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 under the Kisan Samman Nidhi.
• Rs. 1,400 crore allocated to enhance financial aid for 5.7 million farmers in the state.

Earthquake in Sikar, Rajasthan

Recent Earthquake:

• A 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck Sikar city in Rajasthan, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
• The earthquake occurred at a depth of 5 km, with coordinates 27.41 N latitude and 75.06 E longitude.

About National Centre for Seismology (NCS):

• NCS is responsible for monitoring and reporting seismic activity in India and its neighboring regions.
• It operates a network of seismological observatories across the country, providing real-time data on earthquakes and tsunamis.
• NCS also maintains the BhooKamp website and mobile app, offering earthquake alerts and updates to the public.

Earthquake Mechanism:

• Earthquakes are caused by the release of energy, generating seismic waves that travel in all directions.
• The point where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface is the epicenter.

Types of Earthquake Waves:

• Body Waves: Travel through the body of the earth.
• P Waves: Fastest waves, similar to sound waves, traveling through gases, liquids, and solids.
• S Waves: Arrive at the surface later, traveling only through solid materials.
• Surface Waves: More destructive, causing displacement of rocks.
• Love Waves: Horizontal motion without vertical displacement, faster than Rayleigh waves.
• Rayleigh Waves: Cause ground shaking in an elliptical motion, more destructive than P-waves.

Earthquakes

• Earthquake is a sudden shaking or trembling of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. 
• This movement releases energy, creating seismic waves that travel through the Earth, causing the ground to shake.

Causes of Earthquakes

• Release of Energy along a Fault: Earthquakes occur when there is a release of energy along a fault line, which is a break in the crustal rocks. This release happens when the stress on the rocks exceeds their strength, causing them to break and slip.
• Movement of Tectonic Plates: The most common cause of earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates. The Earth's crust is divided into several large plates that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath them. These plates constantly move, albeit very slowly, and when they interact with each other, they can cause earthquakes. This interaction can occur in various ways:
• Convergent Boundaries: At convergent boundaries, two plates move towards each other. One plate is forced beneath the other in a process called subduction. This can lead to powerful earthquakes.
• Divergent Boundaries: At divergent boundaries, two plates move away from each other. This creates new crust as magma rises to the surface. While these earthquakes are generally less powerful, they can still cause significant damage.
• Transform Boundaries: At transform boundaries, two plates slide past each other horizontally. The friction between the plates can cause them to get stuck, and when they finally slip, it results in an earthquake.
• Volcanic Eruption: Earthquakes can also be triggered by volcanic eruptions. The movement of magma within the Earth can cause stress changes in the surrounding rocks, leading to an earthquake. This can happen before, during, or after a volcanic eruption.
• Human Activities: Certain human activities can induce earthquakes. These include:
• Mining: The extraction of minerals from the Earth can destabilize the surrounding rocks and trigger an earthquake.
• Explosion of Chemical/Nuclear Devices: The detonation of explosives, whether for mining or other purposes, can create shock waves that resemble those of an earthquake. Nuclear tests, in particular, can cause significant seismic activity.

Earthquake in India

• India is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world due to its location on the tectonically active Indian Plate, which is constantly colliding with the Eurasian Plate, forming the Himalayas.
• The country is divided into four seismic zones:
• Zone II (Least Active): Areas with low seismic activity.
• Zone III (Moderate): Areas with moderate seismic activity.
• Zone IV (High): Areas with high seismic activity.
• Zone V (Highest): Areas with the highest seismic activity, prone to severe earthquakes.

Measuring Earthquakes

• Seismometers: Instruments that measure the seismic waves generated by an earthquake. These waves are recorded to determine the earthquake's magnitude and location.
• Richter Scale: A scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake, which indicates the amount of energy released. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release.
• Mercalli Scale: A scale that measures the intensity of an earthquake based on the visible damage it causes. The scale ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).

Major Seismic Belts

• Circum-Pacific Belt: Also known as the "Ring of Fire," this belt accounts for 81% of the world's earthquakes and is characterized by a high level of seismic activity due to the subduction of oceanic plates.
• Alpine-Himalayan Belt: This belt is responsible for 17% of the largest earthquakes and is formed by the collision of the African, Arabian, and Indian plates with the Eurasian Plate.
• Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Most of the seismic activity in this belt occurs underwater along the ridge, where tectonic plates are diverging, and new oceanic crust is being formed.

Indian Seismic Zones

• Zone II (Least Active): Areas with minimal seismic activity.
• Zone III (Moderate): Regions with a moderate level of seismic activity.
• Zone IV (High): Areas prone to high seismic activity.
• Zone V (Highest): Regions with the highest seismic risk, susceptible to severe earthquakes.

FSSAI Headquarters and Leadership

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is headquartered in New Delhi and has regional offices in eight zones across the country.
• The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI are appointed by the central government, with the Chairperson holding a rank equivalent to Secretary to the Government of India.

Solar Energy Manufacturing Hub in Rajasthan

• Rajasthan is being promoted as a hub for solar energy manufacturing due to its significant capacity for solar power generation and the increasing demand for electricity, which is rising by 8 to 10% annually.
• The state government aims for 43% of total electricity consumption to come from solar energy by 2030.
• In 2023, solar power plants with a combined capacity of 15,195.12 megawatts (Mw) were established in Rajasthan.
• The Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) has suggested that the state government promote the manufacturing of solar panels in Rajasthan to capitalize on the growing solar energy sector.