Hindu Notes from General Studies-01

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Coral sediments in oceans could dissolve by next century

News

As oceans get more acidic, sediments that constitute coral reefs could begin dissolving by the end of this century, suggests a study.

Beyond News

• Coral reefs are formed by not just the calcium carbonate skeletons that tiny animals called coral ‘polyps’ create, but also carbonate sediments which accumulate on them over thousands of years.
• Ocean acidification  lowering of sea water’s pH when it absorbs the excess, human-caused carbon dioxide from the atmosphere  prevents polyps from building their stony skeletons.
• In several reef systems, acidification also dissolves corals’ carbonate sediments.

Predictions

• Based on this, the team also predicted changes in coral systems by incorporating several factors including current rates of coral formation and sediment dissolution.
•  According to their calculations, coral sediments will begin dissolving by 2050; by 2080, they will dissolve faster than they are formed.
• Currently, the processes of coral formation are also under threat. In 1998, Lakshadweep’s reefs experienced bleaching: increased ocean temperatures caused algae that live as symbionts within corals to leave, stressing the corals.

Indian reefs

• Coral reefs span 3,062 sq. km in India.
• Many coral species are afforded protection at par with tigers: they are included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
• While coral systems support a diversity of fish species that local communities depend on for sustenance, many like those in Lakshadweep also provide protection from storms and prevent coastal erosion.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

₹65 cr. allotted for maternity scheme

News:

In an attempt to curb the maternal and infant mortality rate, Mumbai  has allocated ₹65 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandan Yojana in the Budget.

Beyond News:

• Under the scheme, pregnant women below and on the poverty line receive ₹5,000 for an institutional delivery.
• The scheme aims at covering partial compensation for the wage loss so that women can take adequate rest before and after delivery.
• The State has also allocated ₹964 crore for the National Health Mission to cater to the poor in rural and urban areas.
• The mission aims at getting better doctors and infrastructure in urban and rural health centres.

We will jointly fight terror, radicalisation, says Macron after talks with Modi

News:

Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron met Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

14 AGREEMENTS SIGNED

• India and France signed 14 pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy and protection of classified information after extensive talks between Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron.
• It included an agreement on ‘reciprocal logistical support’ by the armed forces of both sides.
• The agreements include education, environment, urban development and railways.

Mr. Macron, at a joint press briefing with Mr. Modi, said India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation.

Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

Agro-forestry scheme to rope in SC, ST farmers in Chittoor

News:

The Social Forestry Division of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh expanded the purview of its ambitious “agro-forestry” scheme to all 66 mandals to achieve the target of an additional green cover of 83,000 hectares in 2018.

Beyond News:

The focus would be on farmers belonging to SC ad ST communities, with their landholdings at the foothills.

Earlier, the scheme was grounded as pilot project in the eastern mandals.

Awareness campaigns

 In order to achieve effective results, the departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and education, and voluntary organisations would be roped in to create massive awareness campaigns.

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