Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Latest News

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global scientific authority on the state of knowledge and challenges from global warming, has begun work on its seventh cycle of assessment report.

About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

• The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.
• It was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988.
• Membership: The IPCC is an organisation of governments that are members of the United Nations or the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The IPCC currently has 195 members.
• Objective: To assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to the understanding of human-induced climate change, potential impacts of climate change, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
• The IPCC provides governments with scientific information for use in developing climate policies.
• The main activity of the IPCC is the preparation of reports assessing the state of knowledge of climate change. These include assessment reports, special reports and methodology reports. 
• IPCC reports are also key inputs into international climate change negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The IPCC does not undertake new research or monitor climate-related data. 
  • Instead, it conducts assessments of the state of climate change knowledge on the basis of published and peer-reviewed scientific and technical literature. 
  • Scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.
• The IPPC’s first assessment report was released in 1990. The IPCC finished its Sixth Assessment Report cycle in 2023 and has now entered its Seventh Assessment Report cycle. 

What are the IPCC working groups?

• It comprises three working groups, which focus on different aspects of climate science and climate change response. 
  • Working Group I: looks at the physics of climate change;
  • Working Group II: examines climate change impacts and adaptation;
  • Working Group III: focuses on climate change mitigation;
• The three working groups release separate reports, which are then compiled into a synthesis report.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change FAQs

Q1. What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

Ans. It is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

Q2. Where is the headquarters of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

Ans. The Secretariat of IPCC is located in Geneva, Switzerland, in the building of the World Meteorological Organization.

Q3. Who funds the IPCC?

Ans. The IPCC is funded by regular contributions from its parent organizations WMO and UNEP, and voluntary contributions from its member governments and the UNFCCC

Source: TH

T-72 Tank Latest News

The Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Rosoboronexport (RoE), Russian Federation, worth $248 million for procurement of 1000 Horsepower Engines for T-72 Tanks in fully formed, completely knocked down and semi knocked down conditions.

About T-72 Tank

• T-72 is a mainstay of tank fleet of the Indian Army which is at present fitted with 780 HP Engine. Equipping the existing fleet of T-72 Tanks with 1000 HP Engine.
• The T-72, a Soviet-designed main battle tank, has been a cornerstone of many armed forces since its introduction in 1971.
• Designed by Uralvagonzavod in the Soviet Union, T-72 tanks are locally manufactured and upgraded in India at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi.
• The tank is provided with high-accuracy laying and sighting materiel, and with an automatic loading gear ensuring high effective rate of gun fire.
• Features:
  • The T-72 has greater mobility as its 780 hp engine appears to be remarkably smoke-free and smooth-running, having eliminated the excessive vibration. 
  • The T-72 has better armour protection due to the use of layered armor. 
  • The tank is fitted with a 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun mounted on the commander’s cupola. 
  • The T-72 carries 44 rounds of 125 mm ammunition, 22 rounds of which are carried on an automatic loading carousel.

T-72 Tank FAQs

Q1. How many T-72 does India have?

Ans: India has 2,418 T-72M1, 156 VT-72B, and some bridgelayer vehicles as of 2023.

Q2. What are the features of the T-72 tank?

Ans: The tank is fitted with a 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola.

Q3. Is T-72A good tank?

Ans: The T-72 is the most widely used main battle tank in the world. It has been manufactured in six countries, is in service with the armies of 35 nations.

Source: ET

Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project Latest News

Karnataka government’s ambitious Sharavathi pumped storage hydroelectric project (PSHP) has ignited fierce debate with environmentalists and locals warning of irreversible ecological damage to the fragile Western Ghats ecosystem.

About Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project

• It is a pumped storage power project on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.
• The Sharavathi River serves as a crucial source of hydroelectric power in Karnataka, and this project, with its planned total power generation capacity of 2000 MW, stands as the largest pumped storage power generation unit in the country.
• PSHP will be built between two existing reservoirs. 
  • The Talakalale dam, which stands at 62.48 meters tall, will be the upper reservoir.
  • This dam currently helps balance water for the existing Sharavathy hydroelectric project.
  • The Gerusoppa dam will be the lower reservoir, and it is about 64 meters tall. 
• Water will be pumped uphill during the off-season using grid power and released downhill during peak demand to generate electricity. 
• Modelled on the lines of Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project, it also aims to supply drinking water to Bengaluru. 
• Five tunnels and eight pumping stations are critical parts of the plan.

Key Facts about Sharavathi River

• It is a river in the western Karnataka state.
• It is one of the few rivers in India, which flows in the west direction. 
• A large part of the river basin lies in the Western Ghats.
• Course:
  • Rising in the Western Ghats, it flows in a northwesterly direction to the Arabian Sea at Honavar in Uttara Kannada District. 
  • The length of the river is 128 km, and the river basin covers 2,985 sq km.
  • On its way, the Sharavathi forms the Jog Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in India, where the river falls from a height of 253 m. 
• Diverse geological features mark the river’s course, including rocky outcrops, fertile plains, and deep gorges.
• Major Tributaries: Nandihole, Haridravathi, Mavinahole, Hilkunji, Yennehole, Hurlihole, and Nagodihole.

Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project FAQs

Q1. Where is Sharavathi pumped storage project?

Ans. It is located on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka.

Q2. On which river, jog waterfalls located?

Ans. Sharavathi River forms the Jog Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in India.

Q3. What is Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH)?

Ans. PSH is a type of hydroelectric energy storage that consists of two water reservoirs at different elevations

Source: TWIRE

Ponzi Scheme Latest News

The Enforcement Directorate seized a business jet at Hyderabad airport in a ₹850 crore Ponzi scam probe against a Hyderabad-based company and its promoters.

About Ponzi Scheme

• A Ponzi scheme is an investment scam that pays early investors with money taken from later investors to create an illusion of big profits. A Ponzi scheme promises a high rate of return with little risk to the investor. 
• Origin: The Ponzi scheme gets its name from a swindler named Charles Ponzi, who in 1920 became a millionaire by promoting a nonexistent investing opportunity.
• Working:
  • It relies on word-of-mouth, as new investors hear about the big returns earned by early investors. 
  • Inevitably, the scheme collapses when the flow of new money slows, making it impossible to keep up the payments of alleged profits.
  • A Ponzi scheme is similar to a pyramid scheme in that both use new investors' funds to pay earlier backers. 
  • A pyramid scheme usually relies on rewarding early participants to recruit more participants but collapses when the supply of potential participants dwindles.
• Notable Ponzi Scams in India: 
  • Saradha Scam (2013): A multi-crore chit fund scam in West Bengal that defrauded lakhs of investors.
  • Rose Valley Scam: A larger scam than Saradha, involving over Rs 15,000 crore.
  • SpeakAsia (2011): A pyramid-like scheme posing as an online survey business.
  • PACL (Pearl Agro Corporation Limited) Scam: Collected Rs 49,100 crore from investors under the guise of land investments.

Safeguards against Ponzi Schemes in India

• Ponzi schemes are banned under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation (Banning) Act, 1978, a Central Act enforced by State governments.
• Additionally, the Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 explicitly bans Ponzi schemes, further strengthening legal action against such frauds.
• These are also dealt with by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

Ponzi Scheme FAQs

Q1. What qualifies as a Ponzi scheme?

Ans. A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scam where returns to older investors come from new investors' money, not actual profits.

Q2. What is a Ponzi scheme vs. a pyramid?

Ans. A Ponzi scheme promises fixed returns from new investments, while a pyramid scheme involves recruiting members who pay into the system.

Q3. What are the laws against Ponzi schemes in India?

Ans. Ponzi schemes are banned under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation (Banning) Act, 1978, and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.

Source: NDTV

Loss and Damage Fund Latest News

In a setback to global climate justice efforts, the United States has withdrawn from the loss and damage fund aimed at compensating developing countries for the damages caused by climate change.

About Loss and Damage Fund

• Definition: Loss and damage refers to the negative consequences that arise from the unavoidable risks of climate change, like rising sea levels, prolonged heatwaves, desertification, the acidification of the sea and extreme events, such as bushfires, species extinction and crop failures.
• Establishment: It was established at the 2022 UNFCCC Conference (COP27) in Egypt, to provide financial support to regions suffering both economic and non-economic losses caused by climate change.
• Developing countries, particularly small island states that face the greatest threats from climate impacts, had been demanding financial assistance in case of climate-related disasters, arguing that they were having to suffer due to a problem created by rich and developed countries.
• About $750 million has so far been promised for the fund, of which the US has contributed $17.5 million. The US, in fact, is one of the very few countries to have already transferred its committed amount to the Fund.
• The LDF is overseen by a Governing Board that determines how the fund’s resources are disbursed, with the World Bank serving as the interim trustee tasked with hosting the fund for four years.

Paris Agreement

• The Paris Agreement is an international accord that was adopted by nearly every country in 2015 to address climate change and its adverse effects.
• Its primary goal is to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a bid to limit global warming in this century to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels while pursuing the means to curb warming to 1.5 degrees.
• The agreement mentions the safer limit of 1.5 degrees based on a fact-finding report which found that breaching the threshold could lead to “some regions and vulnerable ecosystems” facing high risks, over an extended, decades-long period.
•  The treaty also requires all Parties (countries which have joined the agreement) to state every five years what they are doing to tackle climate change — what is known as their nationally determined contribution (NDC).

Loss and Damage Fund FAQs

Q1. What is the loss and damage fund for?

Ans: The Loss and Damage Fund helps low-income countries financially recover from unavoidable damages caused by climate-related disasters like floods and cyclones1.

Q2. What is loss and damage fund UPSC?

Ans: Loss and Damage Fund refers to a global mechanism assisting developing nations facing severe climate-induced economic and non-economic losses3.

Q3. How much money is needed for loss and damage?

Ans: Developing countries require at least $100 billion annually by 2030; some estimates suggest actual needs could reach up to $671 billion yearly18.

Q4. Is the loss and damage fund enough?

Ans: No, current pledges around $700 million are insufficient, covering less than 1% of the estimated annual requirement of at least $100 billion

Source: TOI

Dehing Patkai National Park Latest News

A camera trap inside Dehing Patkai National Park has recorded a rare sighting of a Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a species classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

About Dehing Patkai National Park

• It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
• It lies in the Dehing Patkai Landscape, which is a dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforest.
• It is situated at the foothills of Patkai Hill Ranges, on the banks of the River Dehing (Tributary of Brahmaputra), and adjacent to the Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It is often referred to as the ‘Amazon of the East‘ owing to its expanse and the thick forest.
• It is famous for its largest stretch of tropical lowland rainforests in India, covering an area of 231.65 sq.km. of Dehing Patkai rainforest.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 13 June 2004. On 13 December 2020, Government of Assam upgraded it into a national park. 
• The climate of the region is mostly tropical with an annual rainfall of more than 4,000 mm.
• There are more than a dozen different ethnic groups living in the area including the indigenous Assamese communities, particularly Tai Phake, Khamyang, Khampti, Singpho, Nocte, Ahom, Kaibarta, Moran and Motok, Burmese, and non-indigenous Nepali people.
• Vegetation: The park is a deciduous rainforest with semi-evergreen and lush green flora.
• Flora: It is dominated by species like Hollong, Nahor, Mekai, Paroli, Simul, various orchids, ferns, cane, and bamboo.
• Fauna: The rich biodiversity includes diverse species such as slow loris, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, capped langur, Indian leopard, Asian elephant, royal Bengal tiger, gaur, Himalayan black bear, clouded leopard, barking deer, Chinese pangolin, etc.

Dehing Patkai National Park FAQs

Q1. In which state is Dehing Patkai National Park?

Ans. Assam

Q2. Which river flows through Dehing Patkai National Park?

Ans. River Dehing (Tributary of Brahmaputra)

Q3. What is Patkai?

Ans. Patkai refers to the Patkai Hills, a mountain range in Northeast India along the border with Myanmar.

Source: NET

Convention on Cluster Munitions Latest News

Lithuania recently quit the Convention on Cluster Munitions banning cluster bombs, citing security concerns over neighbouring Russia in a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.

About Convention on Cluster Munitions

• Origin: The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 states, adopted on 30 May 2008, signed on 3 December 2008 and entered into force on 1 August 2010.
• Objective: The Convention prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. States Parties are committed to the full universalization of the Convention and to promote its norms, as well as to fully implement it.
• Membership Status: The convention has 112 member states and 12 signatories yet to ratify it, while India, the U.S., Russia, China, Ukraine, and Israel have not signed due to military and strategic concerns.
• The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was born out of a collective determination to address the humanitarian consequences and unacceptable harm to civilians caused by cluster munitions. 
• Its implementation contributes to advancing the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion of international peace and security, human rights and international humanitarian law.

Convention on Cluster Munitions FAQs

Q1. What is the Convention on Cluster Munitions?

Ans: The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) is an international treaty banning the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.

Q2. When was the Convention on Cluster Munitions adopted?

Ans: It was adopted on 30 May 2008 in Dublin and opened for signature on 3 December 2008 in Oslo.

Q3. What are cluster munitions?

Ans: Cluster munitions are explosive weapons that scatter smaller explosives ("bomblets") over wide areas, posing risks to civilians.

Q4. Is India a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions?

Ans: No, India is not a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Source: TH

Hantavirus Latest News

A recent study on hantavirus transmission in Madagascar highlights a critical intersection between invasive species, land-use patterns, and emerging zoonotic diseases.

Key Findings of the Study

• Black rats (Rattus rattus) have been identified as the exclusive carriers of hantavirus in rural Madagascar.
• These rats, originally from Asia, were introduced to Madagascar between the 10th and 14th centuries and have since spread widely across the island.
• Despite Madagascar’s rich biodiversity, none of the other small animals, including bats and native rodents, tested positive for the virus in this study. Nearly 2,000 animals were tested.

Hantavirus: Nature and Transmission

• Hantavirus is a rare but deadly virus that spreads through urine, feces, and saliva of infected rodents.
• Transmission primarily occurs through aerosolization of rodent waste, direct contact, or rarely, through bites.
• Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare, making environmental exposure the main concern.

Symptoms and Risk Groups

• The disease typically progresses in two stages:
  • Prodromal Phase (1–8 weeks post-exposure): Includes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
  • Severe Phase: May escalate to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), involving respiratory distress, fluid accumulation in lungs, and potential heart failure.
• High-risk groups include:
  • Farmers, field workers, and construction workers.
  • Campers, hikers, and individuals who come into contact with rodent-infested environments.
  • Children under five, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised are especially vulnerable and should avoid contact with pet rodents.

Hantavirus FAQs

Q1. What is Hantavirus?
Ans. A zoonotic virus spread by rodents (via urine/feces), causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) or Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS).

Q2. How does it spread to humans?
Ans. Inhalation of aerosolized virus particles from infected deer mice (Americas) or striped field mice (Asia). No human-to-human transmission.

Q3. What are its symptoms?
Ans. Fever, muscle aches, respiratory distress (HPS), or kidney failure (HFRS). Fatality rates range 5–15% with timely care.

Source: IT

Dulcibella Camanchaca Latest News

A new deep-sea predator has been discovered in the Atacama Trench, though incredibly small in size, possesses lethal hunting abilities that make it a formidable force in its underwater ecosystem.

About Dulcibella Camanchaca

• Dulcibella camanchaca is a newly discovered amphipod, a shrimp-like marine creature, marking the first known predatory amphipod in the hadal zone—depths exceeding 6,000 meters below the ocean surface.
• Unlike most amphipods that feed on detritus, D. camanchaca is an active predator, using specialized appendages to catch and consume other organisms. 
  • This behaviour is rare among deep-sea creatures, which typically rely on scavenging due to the scarcity of food.
• Living in one of the harshest ecosystems on Earth, D. camanchaca has adapted to freezing temperatures and immense pressure, which exceeds 1,000 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level.
• The genus name Dulcibella is inspired by Dulcinea, a character from Don Quixote. However, since this name was already assigned to another species, researchers chose camanchaca, meaning "darkness" in some South American languages—a fitting name for a creature that thrives in total darkness.

Atacama Trench

• The Atacama Trench stretches along the eastern South Pacific Ocean, plunging to depths exceeding 8,000 m off the coast of northern Chile.
• It is part of the hadal zone, a region characterised by intense pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and complete darkness.
• It is one of the most geographically isolated hadal features and is situated below eutrophic surface waters and characterized by high sediment loads.

Dulcibella Camanchaca FAQs

Q1. Is the Dulcibella camanchaca real?

Ans: Yes, Dulcibella camanchaca is real; it's a newly discovered deep-sea amphipod species found in the Atacama Trench, South Pacific Ocean.

Q2. What is the meaning of Dulcibella camanchaca?

Ans: "Dulcibella" refers to Dulcinea from Don Quixote, and "camanchaca" means "darkness," symbolizing its deep-sea habitat in the Atacama Trench.

Q3. How big is Dulcibella camanchaca?

Ans: Dulcibella camanchaca measures around 4 centimeters, making it larger than its closest relatives and adapted uniquely for predation in deep waters

Source: TOI

Bar-Headed Goose Latest News

A bar-headed goose, a rare migratory bird, was sighted for the first time in Morshing village, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, recently.

About Bar-Headed Goose

• It is a migratory bird species.
• Scientific name: Anser indicus
• It is known to be one of the highest-flying birds in the world. 
• It can fly at altitudes of 25,000 feet, while migrating over the Himalayas, where oxygen and temperature levels are extremely low. 

Bar-Headed Goose Distribution

• Native to central Asia, where the species breeds, Bar-headed Geese are found in countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Japan, and other nearby regions. 
• They migrate to parts of South Asia during winters. 
• In India, their geographical range extends from the northeast to the southern parts of the country.

Bar-Headed Goose Habitat

• They reside near water bodies, preferring high-altitude lakes during the breeding season and freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams in their wintering habitats. 
• They are also found in rocky regions, farmlands and marshes.

Bar-Headed Goose Features

• This species is gray and white with two horseshoe-shaped, brownish-black bars on the back of its white head. 
• The body is gray overall, and the bill and legs are pink, orange, or yellow.
• The wingspan of the bird ranges from 140 to 160 cm. 
• Although male and female birds appear similar, the male bird is slightly larger than the female.
• They usually form monogamous pairs and are seasonal breeders.

Bar-Headed Goose Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List.

Bar-Headed Goose FAQs

Q1. What is the IUCN status of the bar-headed goose?

Ans. Least Concern

Q2. Where do bar-headed goose migrate in India?

Ans. The bar-headed goose migrates over the Himalayas to spend the winter in parts of South Asia (from Assam to as far south as Tamil Nadu.

Q3. What is the highest flying migratory bird in the world?

Ans. The bar-headed goose holds the record as the highest-flying migratory bird in the world.

Source: NET