About National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR):

• It was established in December 1983 in Allahabad under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to undertake research related to the conservation of fish germplasm resources of the country.
• The Bureau's permanent infrastructure was developed at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in 1999.
• The Institute's vision is assessment and conservation of fish genetic resources for intellectual property protection, sustainable utilization and posterity.
• They work to identify, document, and conserve the genetic diversity of fish species, which is important for maintaining healthy and sustainable fish populations.
• The Bureau has developed modern facilities, multidimensional strategies and technological capabilities to achieve its mandate related to database development, genotyping, registration of aquatic germplasm, gene banking and evaluation of endangered and exotic fish species.

What is Aquaculture?

• It is the propagation and husbandry of aquatic plants, animals, and other organisms for commercial, recreational, and scientific purposes.
• Aquaculture has been in existence since at least 500 BC. However, only since the mid-20th century has it assumed commercial importance.
• There are two main types of aquacultures—marine and freshwater. 
• Aquaculture can happen all over the world: in coastal ocean waters, fresh water ponds and rivers, and even on land in tanks.
• It is oneof the fastest-growing forms of food production in the world. 
• Globally, aquaculture already supplies more than half of all seafood consumed by humans.
• Major Producers:
  • China is firmly at the top of the global aquaculture production, producing nearly 60% of farmed seafood.
  • Other leaders include Indonesia, India, and Vietnam.

Q1: What is gene bank for fish?

Gene banks serve as the conservation of genetic resources for long term usage. The principal mandate of fish gene banks is almost the same for other gene banks focusing on preserving genetic materials especially for organisms under threat or close to extinction and the use of the preserved material.

Source: TH

About Bhargavastra:

• It is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to take on the threat of swarm drones.
• It was developed by the Economic Explosives Ltd.
• It can quickly deploy on a mobile platform and hit targets over 2.5 km.
• It is capable of detecting even small incoming flying machines at over 6 km and can take them down using micro munitions that can be guided towards the threat.
• The system can simultaneously fire more than 64 micro missiles.
• It is designed to operate in all terrains, including high-altitude areas, to meet specific requirements of the armed forces.
• Designed to meet the requirements of the Army Air Defence, this is the first counter-drone system that uses micro missiles.

What are Swarm Drones?

• SWARM stands for “Smart War-Fighting Array of Reconfigured Modules.”
• Drone swarm technologies coordinate at least three and up to thousands of drones to perform missions cooperatively with limited need for human attention and control.
  • For example, an aerial drone swarm could potentially assist with controlling a wildfire, assessing damages, finding access points, and suppressing the fire by raining firefighting liquids on it—all with minimal human direction.
• Drone swarms may be more efficient and robust for certain applications than single drones because swarms cancomplete a variety of tasks in parallel without human supervision.
• And they can continue operating if individual drones become inoperable.
• Drone swarms integrate advanced computer algorithmswith local sensing and communication technologiesto synchronize multiple drones to achieve a goal.
• Drone swarms can use various methods of command and control, including preprogrammed missions with specific predefined flight paths, centralized control by a ground station or a single control drone, or distributed control where the drones communicate and collaborate based on shared information.

Q1: What are Ballistic Missiles?

Ballistic missiles are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads.

Source: ET

About Falcated Duck:

• It is also known as falcated teal (Mareca falcata ) is a gadwall-sized dabbling Duck. 
• Distribution: It is from eastern Siberia and Mongolia to northern Japan with wintering grounds in southeast Asia to eastern India. There have also been sightings of falcated teals in America, Poland and Thailand.
• Habitat: They are normally found in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and marshes that are surrounded by forest.
• The breeding season of this species is from May to early July. They make their nests on the ground near water, usually in tall grass or brush.
• They are mostly herbivorous, and eat vegetable matter, seeds, rice and aquatic plants. Occasionally they also consume small invertebrates and soft shelled mollusks.
• The sightings of the Falcated Ducks in India are irregular and can be termed as 'rare'.
• Threats: A primary threat to the falcated Duck is hunting, as people want them for food and their feathers.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Near Threatened

Q1: What does Fulcated Duck Mean?

It is named after its long currved shaped feathers and is a dabbling Duck found in eastern Asia. This species is most closely related to Gadwall, shown by similarities in body shape and size. They breed in Lake Baikal, Siberia and then migrate to south east Asia during the winter.

Source: TP

About Zombie Deer Disease:

• Known scientifically as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is a progressive and fatal neurological disease which primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
• What causes CWD?
  • CWD is caused by infectious proteins called prions.
  • Prions are unique in that they don’t contain DNA or RNA, unlike bacteria or viruses.
  • Instead, they are misfolded proteins that cause other proteins in the brain to likewise misfold, ultimately leading to brain damage.
  • Once these proteins accumulate in the brain, they create spongy holes in the tissue, resulting in severe neurological dysfunction.
• Transmission:
  • CWD prions are highly contagious and spread through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, or urine, either by direct contact or environmental contamination.
  • Once present in an area, prions remain infectious in soil, water, and plants for years, posing long-term risks to animal populations.
• Symptoms:
  • It has an extended incubation period averaging 18–24 months between infection and the onset of noticeable signs. During this time frame, animals look and act normal.
  • The most obvious sign of CWD is progressive weight loss.
  • Numerous behavioral changes also been reported, including decreased social interaction, loss of awareness, and loss of fear of humans.
  • Diseased animals also may exhibit increased drinking, urination, and excessive salivation.
• Treatment: It is always fatal in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment.
• Can Humans Get CWD?
  • So far, there has been no confirmed case of CWD transmission to humans. However, experts remain cautious.

Q1: What kills a prion?

To destroy a prion it must be denatured to the point that it can no longer cause normal proteins to misfold. Sustained heat for several hours at extremely high temperatures (900°F and above) will reliably destroy a prion.

Source: TOI

About Sada:

• It is a flat top formed as a result of centuries of erosion, locally called sada, meaning a large flat area.
• It is located in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.
• They are similar to the plateaux, locally called pathar, in the Satara district of Maharashtra, Kaas Plateau is a well-known example.
• Characteristics of Sada
  • The sada are barren most of the year but become transformed during the monsoons.
  • They are rocky and harbour unique endemic flora that cover it in the monsoon season.
  • As it consists of highly weathered lateritic soil layer on the top which acts as a catchment for the rainwater and recharges the groundwater.
• Biodiversity: This landscape consists of 459 plant species, of which 105 are endemic to the Konkan region. It also recorded 31 species of reptiles, 13 species of amphibians, 169 species of birds, and 41 species of mammals in the region.
• The area is also host to works of art called geoglyphs, dated to roughly 10,000 years ago.

Q1. What is a plateau?

It is an elevated flatland. It is a flat-topped tableland standing above the surrounding area. A plateau may have one or more sides with steep slopes.

Source: TH

About Pavana River:

• It is situated in the west of Maharashtra state, in the Pune District. 
• The river is a notable river crossing Pune city and divides Pune City and the Pimpri-Chinchwad area.
• Course: 
  • Origin: It originates from the Western Ghats, about 6 km south of Lonavala.
  • Flowing eastward initially, it becomes southbound and passes through the suburbs of Dehu, Chinchwad, Pimpri, and Dapodi before its confluence with the Mula River near Pune city.
  • Mula River, which later merges with the Mutha River, forming the Mula-Mutha River, ultimately drains into the Bhima River (largest tributary of the Krishna River).
• Total Length: Approximately 60 km long.
• A dam is built on this river at Pavana Nagar, called the "Pavana Nagar Dam".
  • It is an earth fill gravity dam.
  • It is 1,329 m (4,360 ft) long and 42.37 m (139.0 ft) high, with a gross storage capacity of 30,500.00 km3.
  • It is built with the purpose of providing sufficient water to the nearby localities.
  • It provides drinking water to Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Q1: Why is Pawna Lake famous?

It came into being in 1972 when the Pawna Dam was built on the Pawna River. This dam serves important purposes like providing water for irrigation and generating hydroelectric power. One of the highlights of Pawna Lake is the majestic Wagheshwar Temple situated on an island within the lake.

Source: TOI

About Telecom Technology Development Fund: 

• It has been set up under Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) of Department of Telecom (DOT), Government of India.
• It aims to promote the ecosystem for research, design, prototyping, proof of concept testing, IPR creation, field testing, security, certification and manufacturing of products etc. in the telecommunication field.
• Aims
  • To fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem.
  • To promote technology ownership and indigenous manufacturing, create a culture of technology co-innovation, reduce imports, boost export opportunities and creation of Intellectual Property.
• The following Indian entities are only eligible for support from this fund.
  • Domestic Company(ies) with focus on telecom R&D, Use case development
  • Startups / MSMEs, Academic institutions
  • R&D institutions, Section 8 companies / Societies, Central & State government entities / PSUs /Autonomous Bodies/SPVs / Limited liability partnerships- with a focus on telecom research and development.

Q1: What is the telecom Technology Development Fund?

It is set up under Universal Services Obligation Fund to fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem.

Source: PIB

About National Turmeric Board:

• It will provide leadership on turmeric related matters, augment the efforts, and facilitate greater coordination with Spices Board and other Government agencies in development and growth of the turmeric sector.
• Composition of Board
  • A Chairperson to be appointed by the Central Government.
  • A Secretary to be appointed by the Department of Commerce.
  • Members from the Ministry of AYUSH, Departments of Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Commerce & Industry of the Union Government.
  • Representatives from the top two turmeric growing states of Maharashtra and Telangana and from the state of Meghalaya. States will be represented on the Board by rotation.
  • Select national/state institutions involved in research, representatives of turmeric farmers and exporters.
• Mandate
  • The Board will focus on key areas such as research and development, value addition to turmeric products, and promoting awareness of the spice’s medicinal and essential properties.
  • It will also work on improving turmeric yield, enhancing logistics and supply chains, and exploring new international markets for turmeric.
  • Ensuring quality and safety standards for turmeric production and exports will also be a critical aspect of the Board’s mandate.
• Headquarter: Nizamabad, Telangana

Status of Turmeric in India

• Turmeric, often referred to as the “Golden Spice,” holds immense economic potential for Indian farmers, particularly those in 20 states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
• The largest producing states of Turmeric are Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The leading export markets for Indian Turmeric are Bangladesh, UAE, USA and Malaysia.
• India is responsible for over 70% of the world’s turmeric production, with 30 varieties of turmeric being grown in the country.

Q1: What is the nodal ministry of the National turmeric Board?

The Ministry of Commerce will be the nodal department providing funds and infrastructure for the NTB, which will look into increased demand, usage, production, research, market linkage, exports and so on.

Source: PIB

About Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, it is located in the district of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
• It covers the middle altitudinal range from 1,800 to 3,400 m of the Himalayas, showing the transition from pine through oak to alpine meadow.
• This high-altitude sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, to whom a temple is dedicated and the place is considered sacred by Hindus. 
  • The temple is positioned in the middle of snow-capped mountains and dense pine trees at an elevation of 2850 m above sea level. 
  •  An area of 7,200 ha surrounding the temple was declared a sanctuary in 1962.
• Flora: Owing to great variation in altitude, the sanctuary has seven forest types, according to the classification by Champion and Seth (1968): Alpine Pasture, Sub-alpine Forest, Moist TemperateDeciduous Forest, West Himalayan Upper Oak/Fir Forest, Kharsu Oak Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, and Ban Oak Forest.
• Fauna:
  • It is home to different species of animals and birds, including the goral, monal, black bear, barking deer, musk deer, cat leopard, and the Himalayan black bear.
  • We can also see the Himalayan palm civet, barking deer, marten, Indian porcupine, Kashmiri flying squirrel, musk deer, common langur, leopard, common squirrel and snow leopard inhabiting the sanctuary.

Q1: What is the history of Shikari Mata?

It is believed that the temple has been existing since the time of Mahabharata. The temple is dedicated to Shikari Devi, the Goddess of hunters. In the archaic days, the hunters or shikaris of the region would worship the Goddess in the temple to seek blessings for a successful hunt.

Source: TI

About Purulia Observatory:

• Location: It is located on the Panchet Hill.
• It is equipped with a 14-inch diameter telescope for scientific observations.
• The observatory is at a height of 600 meters above ground level and at a longitude of approximately 86° E.
• It will be a major observatory not only in eastern India, but also in the world.
• Along the 86 degrees East longitude stretching from the Arctic Ocean in the north to Antarctica in the south, there are very few observatories. This observatory will fill that gap.
• It will help in scientific observations of astronomical objects, training students in handling telescopes and recording data.
• Other Observatories in India: ARIES Observatory, Nainital, (Uttarakhand), Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur (Tamil Nadu) and Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), Hanle, Ladakh etc.

Q1:Which is the highest telescope observatory in India?

Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle -Established in 2001 by Indian Institute of Astrophysics and stands on Mt. Saraswati, (also called Digpa-ratsa Ri) Hanle, this observatory is the second highest optical telescope in the world, at an elevation of 4,500m.

Source: PIB