UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 15th June 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I/Geography

Planet Nine

Source: MSN

Why in News?

Astronomers have been scouring the outer solar system for signs of a hypothetical ninth planet for almost a decade, without success. However, we may finally be on the cusp of finding it, experts say.

A hypothetical planet proposed to explain anomalies in the orbits of distant trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), which have highly elliptical and clustered orbits.

Characteristics:

• Mass: Estimated to be 5 to 10 times that of Earth.
• Orbit: Expected to have a highly elliptical orbit with a semi-major axis between 400 and 800 astronomical units (AU).
  • One AU: Average distance between Earth and the Sun, approximately 93 million miles or 150 million kilometers.
• Orbital Period: Estimated to range from 10,000 to 20,000 years.
• Distance from the Sun: Ranges from about 200 AU at its closest to around 1,200 AU at its farthest.

• Future Prospects: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, opening in 2025, could confirm the existence of Planet Nine within a few years or rule out the hypothesis altogether.

GS-I/History

Ajanta paintings

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Some of Ajanta paintings housed inside the Ajanta Gallery of Telangana State Museum in hyderabad are being restored with the collaboration of Noor International Microfilm Centre and the Department of Heritage Telangana.

GS-I/Geography

Teesta River

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

West Bengal’s Kalimpong is facing widespread devastation due to heavy rains that caused flooding in the Teesta River.

Teesta River:

General Information:

• Tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River).
• Flows through India and Bangladesh.
• Total length: 309 km (192 mi).
• Drains an area of 12,540 km².

Origin:

• Originates as Chhombo Chhu from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho at an elevation of 5,280 m in the northeastern corner of Sikkim.
• Teesta Khangse glacier and Chho Lhamo are also considered sources by many authors.

Course:

• Flows south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjeeling (West Bengal).
• Turns southeast through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal.
• Originally emptied directly into the upper Padma River (Ganga River).
• Around 1787, changed course to flow eastward, crossing Rangpur region of Bangladesh to join the Jamuna River near Chilmari.

Major Tributaries:

• Left-bank Tributaries: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu.
• Right-bank Tributaries: Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River.

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Source: MSN

Why in News?

The recent initiative by the Indian Air Force involved the deployment of an MI17 helicopter aimed at combating a severe wildfire in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS).

•  This operation took place in Almora, Uttarakhand, highlighting the use of aviation technology in managing natural disasters. 

 Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location:

• Protected area in Uttarakhand, India.
• Situated in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas.
• Approximately 33 kilometers north of Almora district.
• Covers an area of around 47 square kilometers.

History:

• Former summer capital of the Chand Dynasty rulers (7th to 18th century AD).
• Situated at an elevation of 2,420 meters.
• Named after the Bineshwar Mahadev temple, a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Scenic Views:

• Known for stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks like Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchachuli, and Kedarnath.

Flora:

• Covered by oak and rhododendron forests at higher altitudes.
• Chir pine forests at lower altitudes.
• Contains 25 types of trees, 24 types of bushes, and seven varieties of grasses.

Fauna:

• Home to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds.
• Hosts endangered species like the Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens, and porcupines.
• Also houses leopards, ghorals, wild boars, kakars, monkeys, and Himalayan black bears.
• Birds include the Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant, and Himalayan griffon.

GS-III/Science and Technology

Divya Drishti AI tool

Source: The Week

Why in News?

A Woman-led Start-up Developed ‘Divya Drishti’, a cutting-edge AI Tool for Personal Identification, under a Technology Development Fund.

GS-I/History

Unsolved issue of the Buddha Relics from Bavikonda

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

Ten years after the division of Telangana from united Andhra Pradesh, the distribution of antiquities, manuscripts, and cultural objects remains contentious.

• The custody of objects like Buddha Relics from Bavikonda are part of this dispute.

GS-II/Polity and Governance

CIC upholds decision of Rashtrapati Bhavan on RTI query

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The Central Information Commission (CIC) upheld Rashtrapati Bhavan’s response to an RTI query regarding the number of times former President Kovind returned decisions by the Prime Minister/Union Council of Ministers for reconsideration.

About Central Information Commission (CIC)

GS-III/Environment and Ecology

Nagarhole Tiger Reserve

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

Ashwatthama, a 38-year-old elephant, died of electrocution near Karnataka’s Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.

• The High Court of Karnataka suo motu initiated a PIL petition to inquire about this incident attributed to a lack of care and diligence by concerned authorities.

Nagarahole Tiger Reserve:

Location:

• Western Ghats, Karnataka.
• Spans over 643 square kilometers.

History:

• Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955.
• Became a tiger reserve in 1999.
• Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
• Included in Project Tiger and Project Elephant.

Management:

• Managed by the Karnataka Forest Department.
• Focus on conservation, ecotourism, and community engagement.

Geography:

• Rivers: Kabini, Lakshmana Tirtha, and Moyar.

Flora and Fauna:

• Ecosystem: Tropical and moist deciduous forests.
• Wildlife: Tigers, leopards, elephants, gaur, several species of deer, and birds.

Project Elephant:

Launch:

• Started in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Objectives:

• Protect elephants, their habitat, and corridors.
• Address human-animal conflict.
• Ensure the welfare of captive elephants.

Coverage:

• 23 states across India.
• Financial and technical support from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Impact:

• Increased wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.

Status of Elephant Conservation in India:

Population Estimate:

• Largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) with around 29,964 individuals.
• Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).

Leading States:

• Karnataka, followed by Assam and Kerala.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered.
• CMS: Appendix I.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I.
• CITES: Appendix I.