About Mukurthi National Park

• It is located in the western corner of Nilgiris Plateau in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• It is sandwiched between the Mudumalai National Park and the Silent Valley National Park.
• It was established with the prime motive of conserving its keystone species – the Nilgiri Tahr.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was formerly known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
• It is also home to Mukurthi Peak (2,554m), the fourth highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills.
• Rivers: Pykara and Kundah rivers flow through the park along with several perennial streams that originate in the park and drain into the Bhavani Puzha.
• Vegetation:
  • The majority of the landscape in the reserve is covered with shrubs and mountainous grasslands.
  • The areas which are at an elevation and experience high rainfall are covered with sholas and lush green tropical grasslands.
• Flora:
  • Sholas, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Helichrysum and Berberis tinctoria, Rhododendrons, Cinnamon, Mahonia, Satyrium, Raspberries etc.
• Fauna: Nilgiri tahr, Indian elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Bengal tiger and bonnet macaque etc.

Q1) What are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.

Source: T.N. Forest Department to investigate private helicopter’s unauthorized flyby over Mukurthi National Park

About United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

• It is a UN agency that supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees.
• Establishment:
  • Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December, 1949, to carry out direct relief and work programmes for Palestine refugees. 
  • The agency began operations on 1 May, 1950.
  • In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the UNGA Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June, 2023.
• It is one of the largest United Nations programmes, with a population of approximately 5 million registered Palestine refugees under its mandate and over 30,000 staff.
• Fields of operations: It provides services in its five fields of operations: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including the East of Jerusalem.
• UNRWA is unique in that it delivers services directly to its beneficiaries.
• Services provided: It encompasses education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict.
• Funding:
  • It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.
  • It also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the United Nations, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.
• It reports only to the UNGA.
• Headquarters: It was originally headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, but was moved to Vienna, Austria, in 1978. In 1996, the General Assembly moved the agency to the Gaza Strip to demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to the Arab-Israeli peace process.
• Its chief officer, the commissioner-general, the only leader of a UN agency to report directly to the General Assembly, is appointed by the UN secretary-general with the approval of an Advisory Commission.

Q1) What is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip or simply Gaza, is a Palestinian enclave on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers (6.8 mi) and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km (32 mi) border. The Gaza Strip and the West Bank are claimed by the de jure sovereign State of Palestine. The territories of Gaza and the West Bank are separated from each other by Israeli territory. Both fell under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, but the Strip has, since the Battle of Gaza in June 2007, been governed by Hamas, a militant, Palestinian, fundamentalist Islamic organization, which came to power in the last-held elections in 2006.

Source: India Hands Over $ 2.5 Million to UNRWA For Palestinian Refugees

About Salton Sea

• It is a shallow, saline lake located in the lower Colorado Desert, southern California, USA.
• It is a geological depression tucked between mountain ranges and lying below sea level.
• Formation:
  • The area that is now the lake was formerly a salt-covered sink or depression (a remnant of prehistoric Lake Cahuilla) about 280 feet (85 metres) below sea level until 1905–06, when diversion controls on the Colorado River broke a few miles below the California-Mexico border and floodwaters rushed northward, filling the depression. 
  • Subsequent deepening of the sink was stopped in 1907, when a line of protective levees was built.
• It is currently 228 feet below sea level.
• It covers an area of 970 square km and includes 130 miles of shoreline.
• It has an average depth of 29.9 feet and, at its deepest, 51 feet. 
• Its salinity (some 45 parts per thousand) far exceeds that of seawater.
• The Salton Sea is an important stopping point for migratory waterfowl and serves as critical habitat for birds moving south to Mexico and Central America.

Key Facts about Lithium

• It is a soft, silvery-white metal that heads group 1, the alkali metals group, of the periodic table of the elements.
• Features:
  • It has the lowest density of all metals.
  • It is the lightest of the solid elements. 
  • It reacts vigorously with water.
  • It has a body-centered cubic crystal structure.
• Occurrence:
  • Lithium does not occur as a metal in nature but is found combined in small amounts in igneous rocks.
  • Lithium is found in brine deposits and as salts in mineral springs.
  • Its concentration in seawater is 0.1 parts per million (ppm).
• Uses:
  • Lithium is important in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, digital cameras, and electric vehicles. 
  • It is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for things like heart pacemakers, toys, and clocks.
  • Lithium metal is made into alloys with aluminium and magnesium, improving their strength and making them lighter. 

Q1) What are alkali metals?

Alkali metals are a group of chemical elements found in Group 1 of the periodic table. The alkali metal group includes lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), and francium (Fr). These elements are highly reactive.Alkali metals are generally soft and can be easily cut with a knife. They have low densities compared to other metals.

Source: World's Largest Lithium Reserve Discovered Beneath California's Salton Sea

About Promissory Note

• A promissory note is a written and signed promise to repay a sum of money in exchange for a loan or other financing. 
• Promissory notes are binding legal documents used to protect both the lender and the borrower.
• It is issued by the debtor and states that he will pay the requisite amount within a certain time frame.
• The person making the promise is called the ‘maker,’ and the person to whom the payment is to be made is called the ‘payee.’ 
• It typically contains all the terms involved, such as the principal debt amount, interest rate, maturity date, payment schedule, the date and place of issuance, and the issuer's signature.
• Promissory notes can also be divided into secured and unsecured notes.
  • In the case of a secured promissory note, the borrower must provide collateral to the lender to secure the amount.
  • Unsecured notes do not require collateral and are issued based on trust. Unsecured notes are very common among friends and family.
• Promissory notes in India:
  • In India, a promissory note can be issued under Section 4 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, therefore making it a legal instrument and binding the parties by law.
  • Promissory Notes issued in one Indian state, can be presented in another state provided that the note bears a valid stamp. There is no requirement for additional stamp duty to be paid.
  • A Promissory Note must always be written by hand.
  • It must include all the mandatory elements, such as the legal names of the payee and maker's name, amount being loaned/to be repaid, the full terms of the agreement, and the full amount of liability, beside other elements.
  • The note must clearly mention only the promise of making the repayment and no other conditions.
  • After issuance, a Promissory Note must be stamped according to the regulations of the Indian Stamp Act. It can also be issued on a stamp paper in case revenue stamps are unavailable.
  • All Promissory Notes are valid only for a period of 3 years starting from the date of execution, after which they will be invalid.
  • There is no maximum limit in terms of the amount which can be lent or borrowed.
  • The issuer/lender of the funds is normally the one who will hold the Promissory Note. When the loan amount has been disbursed or repaid fully, the Promissory Note must be cancelled and marked "Paid in Full", after which it can be returned to the borrower / payee.
  • While the signature of a witness is not a mandatory requirement, it is advisable to have a note signed by a witness who is independent of the transaction.

Key Facts about Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

• The Act was enacted to provide a uniform legal framework for the use of negotiable instruments in India.
• It governs the use of negotiable instruments in India.
• It provides for the regulation of promissory notes, bills of exchange, and cheques. 

Q1) What is a bill of exchange?

A bill of exchange is a written order binding one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party on demand or at some point in the future. A bill of exchange often includes three parties—the drawee is the party that pays the sum, the payee receives that sum, and the drawer is the one that obliges the drawee to pay the payee.

Source: NI Act | Promissory Note Conferring On Payer A Right To Recover As Per Law Does Not Dilute Unconditional Undertaking: Karnataka HC

About Maulana Azad National Fellowship

• Objective: The objective of the Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme (MANF) is to provide five year fellowships in the form of financial assistance.
• It is given to students from six notified minority communities viz. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh, notified by the Central Government, to pursue M. Phil and Ph.D.
• The scheme covers all Universities/Institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as under :
  • Central/State Universities (including constituent and affiliated institutions)
  • Deemed Universities
  • Institution fully funded by the State / Central Government and empowered to award degrees.
  • Institutions of National Importance as notified by Ministry of Human Resource Development
• Scope: The Fellowship will cater to the minority community students pursuing regular and full time research studies leading to award of M.Phil/Ph.D degree within India only.
• This will enable them to be eligible for employment to the posts with M.Phil and Ph.D as pre- requisites, including the posts of Assistant Professors in various academic institutions.
• Implementing Agency: UGC will be the nodal agency for implementing this fellowship.

Q1) What is Buddhism?

It is a faith that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama—also known as “the Buddha”—more than 2,500 years ago in India. It is one of the major world religions. As a non-theistic faith with no god or deity to worship, some scholars describe Buddhism as a philosophy or a moral code rather than an organized religion.

Source: Students question Centre’s decision not to hike Maulana Azad scholarships

About Guyana-Venezuela Conflict

• History:
  • The land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela has been disputed since its colonial inception between British and Spanish powers in South America. 
  • In the 1840s, the British government had the border unilaterally surveyed, but the proposed line encroached on Venezuelan territorial claims.
  • The boundary has since been arbitrated (1899) and bilaterally agreed upon following demarcation (1905), but remains in conflict.
  • While the British line, accepted by Guyana, is the current de facto boundary, Venezuela maintains a historic claim to all territory currently administered by Guyana west of the Essequibo River.
  • Venezuelan contents that the Arbitral Award of 1899 about the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela is null and void. 
• Disputed Area:
  • The bone of contention lies in the densely forested Essequibo region of Guyana, which Venezuela claims as its territory. 
  • Venezuela’s claim along the Essequibo River extends for 1,034 kilometers before reaching Brazilian territory. 
  • At stake is approximately 142,795 square kilometers that is currently administered by Guyana.
  • Offshore, the disputed land territory is a maritime space that was recently discovered to be rich in hydrocarbon resources, upping the stakes of the land boundary dispute.
• Current Status:
  • Guyana submitted the dispute to the International Court of Justice in 2018.
  • Despite Venezuela’s withdrawal from the case, proceedings are currently ongoing.

Q1) What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the main judicial organ of the UN. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

Source: A British warship arrives in Guyana as tensions heat up in border dispute with Venezuela

About Srimukhalingam temple

• It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
• This temple, built in the Kalinga architectural style.
• It is located on the banks of Vamsadhara River and is dedicated to lord Srimukha Lingeswara (a form of Shiva).
• The Shivalinga here has a mukha or facial representation of Lord Shiva. 
• It was constructed in the 9th century CE by kings of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• It contains exquisite sculptures from that period.
• It is believed that visiting this temple and taking a dip in the river relieves one from the cycle of rebirth.
• It is housing 3 ancient temples at one Location.
• The Trinity of Madhukeswara, Someswara and Bheemeswara Temples are a testimony to the magnificent architectural skills of Kalinga Kings.
• It was built by Kamarnava II, ruler from the family line of Eastern Ganga.

Key points about UNESCO World Heritage Sites

• A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972.
• These sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance.
• The sites, classified as cultural, natural and mixed (meeting both cultural and natural criteria) heritage around the world, are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
• To be selected, a WHS must be a somehow unique landmark which is geographically and historically identifiable and has special cultural or physical significance.
• For example, WHSs might be ancient ruins or historical structures, buildings, cities, deserts, forests, islands, lakes, monuments, mountains or wilderness areas.
• These sites are demarcated by UNESCO as protected zones and the list is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Q1) What is UNESCO?

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).The constitution, which entered into force in 1946, called for the promotion of international collaboration in education, science, and culture. The agency’s permanent headquarters are in Paris, France.

Source: ASI assures to send note to UNESCO over inclusion of Srimukhalingam temple in Andhra Pradesh in world heritage structures’ list