Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

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Neanderthal brain model developed

News:

• Scientists have for the first time set eyes on a three-dimensional Neanderthal brain in the form of a virtual model made to fit the empty, fossilised skulls of long-dead individuals.

Beyond News:

• The reconstructed organ confirmed earlier observations, based more loosely on head size and shape, that Neanderthals had a larger brain than their early Homo sapienscousins, but with a smaller cerebellum.
• The distinction may have caused social and cognitive differences between the near relatives, and may explain why one went extinct while the other thrived, said the Keio University in Japan.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

Tribes set a model in pesticide-free farming

News:

• A group of tribesmen under the Kaniyampetta grama panchayat in Wayanad district have set a successful model in pesticide-free vegetable cultivation.

Beyond News:

• As many as 64 tribal families belong to Paniya and Mullakuruma tribal sects have grown 10 varieties of vegetables, including yard-long beans, bitter gourd, tomato, snake gourd, okra, and green chilli on 16 acres of rented land at Kavadom, Chittalur Kayakkunnu, and Nelliyambom near Nadavayal.
• The vegetable promotion project was launched by the Scheduled Tribal Development Department under a special Central assistance to a tribal sub plan in January. A sum of ₹9.64 lakh was provided for the purpose.
• Five self-help groups (SHGs), including three women’s groups, have been constituted under the project and each group consists of 10 to 14 members.
• All expenses including the rent of land, seeds, organic manure, pump sets for irrigation, agricultural implements, and wages  were borne by the department.

 ‘Asean faces threat from IS’

News:

• Southeast Asia faces “very real” threats from the Islamic State (IS) group despite their defeat in Iraq and Syria, as well as cyberattacks, Singapore’s Prime Minister warned at a regional summit.

Beyond News:

• A deadly gun and suicide-bombing attack in the Indonesian capital Jakarta in 2016 was the first IS-claimed assault in the region, while the Philippine city of Marawi was overrun last year by fighters loyal to the jihadists, triggering a months-long battle that killed hundreds.
• Opening the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that the IS continues to threaten the region, home to about 650 million people, despite their military defeat in Iraq and Syria.
• He also warned the move towards digitalisation has made countries more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• In a final statement, the leaders vowed to fight a “rising tide of protectionism” and intensify efforts to conclude talks for a massive 16-nation free trade zone that would include China and India, called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Draft mission to kick-start renewable energy storage

News:

• The draft National Energy Storage Mission expects to kick-start grid-connected energy storage in India, set up a regulatory framework, and encourage indigenous manufacture of batteries, according to a member of the expert committee set up by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Beyond News:

• The draft sets a “realistic target” of 15-20 gigawatt hours (GWh) of grid-connected storage within the next five years, according to director, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), an industry body that is a part of the committee.
• Power grids do not currently use storage options that would help in smoothly integrating renewable energy sources.
• The draft has been submitted to the Ministry, and will be released for public feedback in the next few months.
• The mission will focus on seven verticals: indigenous manufacturing; an assessment of technology and cost trends; a policy and regulatory framework; financing, business models and market creation; research and development; standards and testing; and grid planning for energy storage.
• Renewable energy sources now make up almost one-fifth of India’s total installed power capacity.

Working towards achieving cyber resilience.

News:

• Andhra Pradesh is all set to become cyber resilient by keeping all its websites and servers secure from attacks and viruses in the emerging landscape of digital payments and disruptive technologies, IT Minister said.

Beyond News:

• Inaugurating the two-day Andhra Pradesh Cybersecurity Summit being organised by the Fintech Valley Vizag and Mastercard , IT Minister said they had already launched the A.P. Cybersecurity Operations Centres (APSOC) by inviting techies to resort to ethical hacking to expose the vulnerability of the government’s websites and networks.
• He said Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Anantapur, and Amaravati were being developed as leading IT hubs in various fields.
• The Minister said the State had set up the International Institute of Digital Technologies (IIDT) in Tirupati by partnering with various industries to create next generation professionals.
• They feel the summit has played a pivotal role in building awareness about cybersecurity and hop the conference will help in sharing experiences on preventing digital frauds and protecting businesses and individuals.

Forest officials ask Corporation to stop dumping of waste

News

• The Chennai District Forest Office has asked the Chennai Corporation to freeze dumping of wastes in Pallikaranai marshland, pointing to rising pollution of the marsh. Studies have shown that cows that graze in the marsh area have produced milk with high concentration of toxic heavy metals.

Beyond News

• Corporation officials say they have been taking several initiatives on stopping the disposal of municipal solid waste in the eco-sensitive area.
• They point out remediation of the dumpyard is being planned.
• According to a study, the leaching of heavy metals has risen significantly in the marsh because of dumping of at least 2,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day.
• For example, chromium content in the ground water has been found to be varying between 1.43 mg/L and 2.8 mg/L during the dry and wet seasons.
• This is unsuitable for drinking, agriculture and discharge into inland surface water.
• Similarly, heavy metals such as lead, iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium have been found to be rising owing to leaching from the Perungudi dumpyard, which has been developed by the Chennai Corporation in 172 hectares of the eco-sensitive marshland.
• Chennai Corporation has handed over a large parcel of land in the marsh in the southern part of the Radial Road to the Forest Department for eco-restoration.

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