- WATER HYACINTH – ECOLOGICAL IMPACT
- Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a highly invasive aquatic plant species that poses significant ecological and economic challenges in water bodies where it proliferates.
- Reduction in Biodiversity: Fish and Aquatic Species: Water hyacinth forms dense mats on the surface of the water, blocking sunlight from reaching submerged plants. This disrupts the photosynthesis process, leading to a decrease in oxygen levels in the water (a condition known as hypoxia). Fish and other aquatic organisms that rely on oxygen can suffocate and die, leading to a reduction in biodiversity.
- The dense mats outcompete native aquatic plants for sunlight and nutrients, often leading to their decline or elimination.
- Alteration of Water Flow: The thick mats of water hyacinth can obstruct the natural flow of water in the lake.
- This can lead to stagnation, which exacerbates the problem of hypoxia and can also increase the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.
- Impact on Water Quality: Eutrophication: A process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and other plants. This further depletes oxygen levels and can create dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.
- Pollutant Accumulation: Water hyacinth can absorb heavy metals and other pollutants from the water, which can then be released back into the environment when the plants die and decompose.
- Economic Impact Fisheries: The decline in fish populations due to hypoxia and habitat loss directly impacts local fisheries
- Tourism: Kumarakom is a popular tourist destination, known for its backwaters and houseboat cruises. The presence of water hyacinth can detract from the aesthetic appeal of the lake.
- Navigation: The dense mats can obstruct boat traffic, making navigation difficult for both commercial and recreational vessels.
- Management and Control Mechanical Removal: This involves physically removing the plants from the water using machinery or manual labor. It is labor- intensive and costly, and the plants can quickly regrow if not continuously managed.
- Biological Control: Introducing natural predators, such as the weevil (Neochetina spp.), which feeds on water hyacinth, can help control its spread. However, this method requires careful monitoring to ensure that the introduced species do not become invasive themselves.
- Chemical Control: Herbicides can be used to kill water hyacinth, but they must be used cautiously to avoid harming other aquatic life and contaminating the water.
- Integrated Management: A combination of the above methods, along with community involvement and continuous monitoring, is often the most effective approach to managing water hyacinth.
2. ON IMPROVING RURAL MOBILE CONNECTIVITY
- An important factor impeding the deployment and/or use of cellular networks in rural areas is the relatively lower income of the people here.
- A big chunk of the rural population finds mobile services unaffordable.
- The IEEE-2061 standard proposes the use of a multi-hop wireless middle[1]mile network to extend connectivity to areas where optical-fibre links are not available.
- If adopted, IEEE 2061 can help provide affordable connectivity to rural populations.
- Its novel concepts, including the CN bypass, and integrated AN control may also pave the way towards a scalable mobile network in the future.
3. JAISHANKAR TO REPRESENT INDIA IN PLACE OF MODI AT SCO SUMMIT IN KAZAKHSTAN
- Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is representing India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakhstan on July 3 and 4, in place of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Key points include: Attendees: The summit will see the participation of leaders from various countries, including Russia, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
- Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend.
- India’s Representation: Modi’s absence marks a significant diplomatic decision, with Jaishankar expected to lead discussions on strategic partnerships and India’s engagement with Central Asian nations.
- Topics of Discussion: Jaishankar is expected to address the assembly, focusing on regional and global security, trade, and multilateral cooperation.
- The article also mentions a bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin later in the year, emphasizing the strong trust between India and Russia.
- Regional Connectivity and Trade: Discussions will cover the utilisation of the Chabahar Port, the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and other regional connectivity projects.
- Future SCO Meetings: The next SCO summit will be held in Pakistan later in the year, with Modi potentially attending.
- The Astana Declaration will also be adopted, focusing on economic issues and connectivity.
4. ADVANCED MEDIUM COMBAT AIRCRAFT PROTOTYPE EXPECTED TO BE READY BY 2028- 2029
- The progress of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft:
- Timeline and Development: The Defence Ministry aims to have the first prototype ready by 2028-29 ○ With production starting around 2032-33
- Induction targeted for 2034 This timeline is crucial for ensuring the timely execution of the project.
- Private Sector Involvement: Significant involvement from the private sector is planned, with the Defence Ministry preparing a model for this collaboration to be decided within the next six months.
- An Expression of Interest (EoI) has already been issued, and responses have been received.
- Significance: The AMCA project is critical as it will be India’s only fifth- generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) expected for induction at a time when other countries are making significant advancements in FGFA development.
- Specifications: The AMCA will be a 25-tonne twin-engine stealth aircraft with an internal weapons bay and a diverterless supersonic intake developed in India for the first time.
- It will have an internal payload carriage of 1,500 kg and an external payload of 5,500 kg, along with 6,500 kg of internal fuel.
- Approval and Manufacturing: The project received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the production agency, which has already initiated necessary manufacturing activities
5. NEPALI CONGRESS CPN-UML ARRIVE AT AGREEMENT TO OUR PRACHANDA AS PM
- A political development in Nepal where the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) have reached an agreement to oust Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as ‘Prachanda’:
- Agreement to Form New Government: The two largest parties in Nepal’s Parliament, the Nepali Congress (NC) with 89 seats and CPN-UML with 78 seats, have formed a coalition. Their combined strength of 167 seats surpasses the majority mark of 138 in the 275-member House of Representatives.
- Prachanda’s Response: Prime Minister Prachanda has decided not to resign and instead will face a vote of confidence in Parliament. This marks the fourth vote of confidence he will face since coming to power.
- Rotating Prime Ministerial Position: According to the agreement, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN-UML Chairman K.P. Sharma Oli will share the Prime Ministerial position on a rotation basis for the rest of the parliamentary term.
- Political Instability: Nepal has experienced significant political instability, having had 13 governments in the last 16 years. This latest agreement indicates ongoing challenges in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape.
- Cabinet Resignations: Ministers belonging to the CPN-UML in Prachanda’s Cabinet are expected to resign en-masse. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane has accused the new alliance of forming to prevent corruption cases from being investigated
ONE LINER
- Global livability index 2024 – Vienna is the world’s most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit
- Centre has launched following two Geoportals – Bhuvan Panchayat “National Database for Emergency Management”
