- HISTORY AND CULTURE
RUINING THE MAJESTIC RUINS
- Hampi: UNESCO World Heritage Site and Concerns
- Hampi, located in Vijayanagara district, Karnataka, was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire (AD 1336-1570).
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its stunning monuments and massive boulders.
- Key Attractions: Virupaksha Temple: The most sacred temple in Hampi.
- Lotus Mahal, Queens’ Bathing Area, Musical Pillars, Stone Chariot, Elephant Stable: Significant historical sites reflecting the grandeur of the Vijayanagara empire.
- Tungabhadra River: Enhances the landscape, especially during the monsoon season.
- Tourism and Cultural Importance: Hampi attracts tourists, history enthusiasts, and archaeologists from around the world, drawn to its rich history and beautiful landscapes.
- Concerns: Stone Quarrying: There is ongoing quarrying activity near Hampi, particularly between Hampi and Anegundi (also known as Kishkinda). This includes blasting rocks, which raises concerns about the safety and preservation of the heritage site.
- Environmental Impact: Despite the area being marked as the ‘Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve’ by the Forest Department, quarrying activities continue, posing a threat to both the natural and historical environment
2. ENVIRONEMENT
AFTER 61 YEARS FOUR RINGED BUTTERFLY RESURFACES IN INDIA
- What is It? The great four-ring (Ypthima cantliei) is a species of butterfly in the Satyrinae subfamily, belonging to the Nymphalidae family.
- It was recently rediscovered in India’s Namdapha National Park after being last recorded in 1957.
- The butterfly was identified by a team that included a member of the Arunachal Pradesh Police and researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Cotton University.
- Significance: Rediscovery After 61 Years: The butterfly’s resurfacing after more than six decades is significant as it highlights the species’ elusive nature and the rich, yet still partially unexplored, biodiversity of the region.
- Biodiversity and Conservation: The discovery underscores the biodiversity of Namdapha National Park, which is an ecologically sensitive area. ○ It emphasizes the need for continued research and conservation efforts in the region, especially since Namdapha is a critical habitat for many rare species.
- Scientific and Ecological Insight: The great four-ring is part of the Ypthima genus, which has the highest diversity in China but is also found in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and northeastern India.
- Understanding its distribution can provide insights into the ecological connections and biodiversity across these regions.
- Contributions from Diverse Backgrounds: The involvement of a policeman as one of the authors highlights the valuable contributions that individuals from various backgrounds can make to scientific research and biodiversity documentation.
- Endangered Status and Awareness: Little is known about the current population or distribution of the great four-ring butterfly, making its rediscovery important for assessing its conservation status. This finding may prompt further studies and conservation measures to protect this and similar species
3. NATIONAL
MURMU STRESSES ON INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AT CONFERENCE
- The two-day Conference of Governors focused on inclusive development, women empowerment, and effective governance. Key participants included President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Minister Amit Shah.
- Key Outcomes: Presentations and Future Road Map: Six groups of Governors presented their discussions and future plans, focusing on governance and development.
- Focus on inclusive development and marginalized communities.
- Emphasized promoting participation of Scheduled Tribes and proper utilization of resources for their welfare.
- Advocated supporting women self-help groups and women-led start-ups. Encouraged Governors to engage with women entrepreneurs.
- Emphasis on technology and digitization in governance.
- Strategic communication between Governors and state governments.
- Stressed the importance of sustained communication for effective functioning.
- Addressing educational and social issues, including promoting drug-free campuses.
4. ECONOMY
GANDHI KING FOUNDATION PLAN RUNS INTO FCRA HURDLES
- The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) is an Indian law enacted in 2010 to regulate the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions or foreign hospitality by individuals, associations, or companies.
- Its primary objective is to ensure that such contributions do not adversely affect the internal security of the country.
- Key Provisions: Registration Requirement: Any individual or organization that wishes to receive foreign contributions must be registered under the FCRA and comply with its regulations.
- Utilization of Funds: The act mandates that foreign contributions can only be used for the specific purposes for which they were received and must not be used for activities that are detrimental to the national interest.
- Transparency and Accountability: Organizations must maintain proper accounts and submit annual returns to the Ministry of Home Affairs, detailing the receipt and utilization of foreign contributions.
- Restrictions: The FCRA imposes restrictions on the acceptance and use of foreign contributions for activities related to politics, journalism, and other sectors that could influence public opinion or policy. Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative
- In the case of the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative, the FCRA has posed challenges in routing U.S. government funds to India, particularly concerning the establishment of the Gandhi-King Development Foundation. The Indian government is scrutinizing the mechanism and scope of this funding to ensure compliance with FCRA regulations and to prevent any potential misuse of foreign contributions
5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
MODERNISE FORECAST MODELS – KERALA
- Modern Weather Prediction Models: Emphasis on the need for more modern, location-specific, and accurate weather prediction models to improve disaster mitigation and early warning systems.
- Institute for Climate Change Studies: The Kerala government is focusing on providing resources and personnel to this institute in Kottayam to develop Kerala-specific weather forecast models, which will aid in adapting and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
- Future-Proof Climate Modelling: The state aims to develop advanced climate models that take into account the unique topography and seasonal monsoons of Kerala, to better predict and prepare for extreme weather events.
- Re-mapping of Landslide and Flood-Prone Zones: An initiative to update and improve maps of areas susceptible to landslides and floods, to enhance the accuracy of risk assessments and planning.
- Community Relocations: Plans to relocate communities from high-risk zones to safer areas as a preventive measure against natural disasters
ONE LINER
- Tamil Nadu CM Stalin released Elephant census – Elephant count goes upto 3,063 in Tamil Nadu
- India will host the third voice of the Global South Summit on August 17, 2024
