DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRES

DATE 26/5/2020

HEAT WAVES

Why in News

As of late, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has anticipated the "heatwave to serious heatwave conditions" over northwest, focal and abutting peninsular India alongside overwhelming precipitation over upper east India.

Numerous pieces of beach front Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra have likewise watched increment in temperatures above 42°C, activating heatwave conditions.

The warmth wave has been seen because of dry northwesterly breezes beating northwest and focal India.

India Meteorological Department (IMD)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was set up in 1875.

It is an organization of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.

It is the important office answerable for meteorological perceptions, climate guaging and seismology.

Warmth Wave

A warmth wave is a time of strangely high temperatures, more than the ordinary most extreme temperature that happens throughout the mid year season in the North-Western and South Central pieces of India.

Warmth waves commonly happen among March and June, and in some uncommon cases even stretch out till July.

Higher every day top temperatures and more, progressively exceptional warmth waves are turning out to be progressively visit universally because of environmental change.

Models for Heat Waves

The warmth wave is viewed as when the most extreme temperature of a station comes to in any event 40°C for Plains and at any rate 30°C for Hilly areas.

In the event that the typical greatest temperature of a station is not exactly or equivalent to 40°C, at that point an expansion of 5°C to 6°C from the ordinary temperature is viewed as warmth wave condition.

Further, an expansion of 7°C or more from the ordinary temperature is considered as extreme warmth wave condition.

In the event that the ordinary greatest temperature of a station is more than 40°C, at that point an expansion of 4°C to 5°C from the typical temperature is viewed as warmth wave condition. Further, an expansion of 6°C or more is considered as extreme warmth wave condition.

Furthermore, if the genuine most extreme temperature stays 45°C or all the more regardless of ordinary greatest temperature, a warmth wave is proclaimed.

Wellbeing Impacts of Heat Waves

The wellbeing effects of Heat Waves ordinarily include lack of hydration, heat cramps, heat fatigue as well as warmth stroke.

It likewise causes heat cramps, exhaustion, shortcoming, tipsiness, cerebral pain, sickness, retching, muscle issues and perspiring.

The outrageous temperatures and resultant environmental conditions antagonistically influence individuals living in these districts as they cause physiological pressure, some of the time bringing about death.

Path Forward

While environmental change has a solid connection with the event of extraordinary climate occasions, it isn't the reason for outrageous climate occasions. Scenes of warmth waves are developing increasingly basic as environmental change escalates. Hence, the force and recurrence of heatwaves can be decreased if the worldwide network receives and holds fast to a lower discharges situation later on.

Increased Stubble Burning in Punjab

Punjab has been experiencing a problem of stubble burning once again despite the government's efforts to control the practice since last few years.

• The recent end of wheat harvesting season is responsible for the increased incidents of the stubble burning in the State.

Key Points

• Total 13,026 incidents have been reported in 2020 compared to 10,476 incidents in 2019 and 11,236 in 2011.
• The ban and action against people burning the crop residue is regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• The stubble burning causes diseases such as problems in breathing, lungs etc, which could also affect recovery of patients suffering from Covid-19.

Stubble Burning

• Description:
  
  • Stubble (parali) burning is the act of setting fire to crop residue to remove them from the field to sow the next crop.
• Causes:
  
  • The problem arises due to the use of mechanised harvesting which leaves several inches of stubble in the fields.
    
    • Earlier, this excess crop was used by farmers for cooking, as hay to keep their animals warm or even as extra insulation for homes. But, now the stubble use for such purposes has become outdated.
  • In order to plant the next crop, farmers in Haryana and Punjab have to remove the stubble in a very short interval to avoid considerable losses. Therefore, burning is the cheapest and fastest way to get rid of the stubble.
    
    • The leftover parali in the field may pose the threat of the pest attacks to the upcoming crop.
• Effects:
  
  • The stubble burning emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases like methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compound (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
    
    • After the release in the atmosphere, these pollutants disperse in the surroundings, may undergo a physical and chemical transformation and eventually adversely affect human health by causing a thick blanket of smog.
  • The burning of wheat straw reduces the soil fertility, besides polluting the environment.
  • Additionally, the heat generated by stubble burning penetrates into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.
• Alternative Use of Stubble:
  
  • The stubble can be used for preparation of the high-grade organic fertilizers by mixing with cow dung and few natural enzymes.
  • The stubble can be converted to bio coal and also can be used for electricity generation.

Way Forward

• An expansion of schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for harvesting and composting of stubble will help to resolve the dual problem of unemployment and stubble burning.
• The establishment of the Farm Machinery Banks (FMB) for custom hiring of in-situ crop residue management machinery.
• The financial incentives to small and marginal farmers will help to engage in the management of the residue of their non-basmati variety rice crop in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
• However, in the longer time span, shifting the cropping pattern away from paddy to maize, cotton, fruits or vegetables in Punjab, Haryana and UP will also help to resolve the issue.

Tea, Immunity & Coronavirus

Why in News

During a webinar organised on the occasion of International Tea Day, the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Himachal Pradesh has claimed that tea chemicals can boost immunity and block coronavirus activity better than anti-HIV drugs.

• IHBT, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh is a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Key Points

• There was a special focus on polyphenols (bioactive chemicals) that could bind to a specific viral protein more efficiently than commercially available anti-HIV drugs approved for treating Covid-19 patients.
  
  • These chemicals can further block the activity of the viral protein that helps the virus to thrive inside human cells.
• A combination of anti-HIV drugs Lopinavir and Ritonavir is being used in many countries to treat Covid-19.
• The findings on Kangra tea comes days after an earlier research study where Indian and Japanese scientists claimed that Ashwagandha - a popular herb in Ayurveda - may hold an efficient anti-Covid-19 drug.

Polyphenols

• Polyphenols are a category of compounds naturally found in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, tea, dark chocolate, and wine.
• They have antioxidant properties that can protect against various diseases. They can be subdivided into flavonoids, phenolic acid, polyphenolic amides, and other polyphenols.
• Polyphenols may help prevent blood clots, reduce blood sugar levels, and lower heart disease risk. They may also promote brain function, improve digestion, and offer some protection against cancer.

Kangra Tea

• Kangra tea is grown in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
• It is well known for its unique colour and flavour.
• Kangra tea has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• It is loaded with antioxidants like catechins and polyphenols, and said to offer these health benefits: promotes weight loss, builds immunity, improves oral health and mental alertness, etc.
• It is also used in making sentizers, soap, vinegar, wine etc.

Katkari Tribe

Why in News

Katkari tribal youth from Shahpur in Maharashtra are making a name by selling Giloy and other products online during lockdown.

• They received help under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) run by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
  
  • TRIFED is a national level apex organisation functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia) is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used and advocated in Indian medicine for ages..

Key Points

• Katkari is one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• Katkaris are located primarily in Raigad and in parts of Palghar, Ratnagiri and Thane districts of Maharashtra as well as in some places of Gujarat.
• Katkaris were historically forest dwellers.
  
  • The name Katkari is derived from a forest-based activity – the making and bartering or sale of Catechu from the Khair tree (Acacia Katechu).
  • Catechu is an extract of acacia trees used variously as a food additive, dye, etc. It is extracted by boiling the wood in water and evaporating the resulting brew.
• The British administration had classified them under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.
  
  • The Act described certain groups of people as ‘habitually criminal’. The stigma associated with the Act continues.

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana

• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is a retail marketing led value addition plan for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), meant for forest-based tribes to optimize the tribal income, locally.
  
  • MFP means all non-timber forest produce of plant origin and includes bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, honey, lac, tusser etc.
  • It provides both subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests. They form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sales.
• Under the program, MFP-based tribal groups / enterprises of around 300 members are formed for collection, value addition, packaging & marketing of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs).
  
  • These tribal enterprises are in the form of Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs) which is a group of 15-20 members and such 15 SHG groups will further be federated into a larger group of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) of around 300 members.
• TRIFED supports the VDVKs through providing them with model business plans, processing plans & tentative list of equipment for carrying out the value addition work of MFPs.
• Purandara Dasa
• Why in News
• The Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums, Karnataka will soon commence field research work at Araga in Malnad (Malenadu) region in Karnataka, to end the speculations regarding the birthplace of Purandara Dasa.
  • The department comes under the Ministry of Culture and is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of cultural monuments.

  Key Points

  • Issue About Birthplace:
    
    • It was widely believed that the Purandara Dasa was born in Purandharagad, Maharashtra. However, many people in Malnad claimed that he hailed from their region.
    • On literary evidence, it is being speculated that Purandara Dasa was born near Araga. However, definitive conclusions can be reached only if tangible archaeological evidence like inscriptions, coins, remains of building-related to the name Srinivasa Nayaka or Purandara Dasa are found.
  • About Purandara Dasa:
    
    • Purandara Dasa belonged to the Vaishnava tradition during the Vijayanagar rule.
    • Prior to the adoption of Vaishnava tradition, he was a rich merchant and was called Srinivasa Nayaka.
      
      • The proponents of the theory that Puranadara Dasa was born in Malnad, refer to his older name and point out that Nayaka title was attributed to locally influential people, including wealthy merchants in Malnad during the Vijayanagar rule.
    • He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna, a poet and a musician. He is considered the father of Carnatic Music.
      
      • He formalized the music system which was a blend of various traditions of South India and the musical science as explained in the Vedas.
      • He identified 84 ragas and devised a system of teaching Carnatic music in graded lessons.
    • He composed songs in Kannada and Sanskrit with the pen name Purandara Vithala.
    • In his compositions, he expressed his love for Sri Krishna describing various aspects of Krishna’s life.