Why is it in news?

• After the recent visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China has started its biggest ever military exercise near Taiwan.

• Chinese media is describing this exercise as a rehearsal for the 'reunification process'.

• This exercise is going on in six regions of Taiwan.

• China's Navy, Air Force and other departments are participating in this exercise.

Highlights

• During this war exercise, China selected 6 major areas of Taiwan.

• During this period, all ships and aircraft are not permitted to enter relevant maritime areas and airspace.

• In response, Taiwan has also alerted its military and has staged several civil defense exercises.

• In addition, the US has also placed several naval assets in the conflict zone.

Why is it in news?

• The national water level in the Netherlands has dropped to the lowest level ever. As a result, the country is facing water scarcity.

• According to the Water Crisis Management Team, there has been a 'water scarcity' due to continuous drought in the country.

• The scarcity of water shows that the waters of the Rhine River are supplying 50% less water than normal.

Highlights

• In the long run, water scarcity can lead to salinization of the soil, affecting the agricultural industry.

• The Netherlands is known for its abundance of water. Despite this fact, water scarcity has been declared for the fifth time in the last 22 years.

• The water scarcity situation has now escalated to the third level of danger in 2003.

• The Netherlands is known for humid and unpredictable weather. However, due to climate change in the year 2022, the weather has become extremely dry.

• However, due to water scarcity, the citizens or residents will not be affected much.

• But it will affect those working in some industries like shipping and farming for now. Nature will also be affected in the country.

• The Water Crisis Management team is now implementing an action plan to deal with water scarcity. Many ideas are being presented. One such idea is to install bubble screens in the diamen.

• The bubble screen will help separate the salt and fresh water, thus preventing salinization.

Why is it in news?

UNESCO (UNESCO) has added a 106-year-old astronomical observatory at Langat Singh College, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, to the list of important endangered heritage observatories of the world. Which is raising hopes of reviving that neglected building. Which has a lot to show of its glorious past. According to a member of the UNESCO team, the astronomical observatory in Muzaffarpur is now on the UNESCO list.

Highlights

• This astronomical observatory in Muzaffarpur was established in 1916, which provides detailed astronomical knowledge to the students.

• Professor Romesh Chandra Sen took the initiative to set up an astronomical observatory in the college. In 1914, he spoke to Jay Mitchell, an astronomer, for guidance.

• Telescopes, chronographs, astronomical clocks and other instruments were purchased from England in 1915.

• Finally in 1916 the astronomical observatory was started.

• In 1946, a planetarium was also established in the college.

• However, the planetarium as well as the astronomical observatory began to deteriorate after 1970. Most of the installed machines are either lost or become junk. No steps were taken for its restoration.

• After being included in UNESCO's list of endangered heritage observatories, the authorities now hope to get funds from the state government for its restoration.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Observatories in India

• Sites of cultural and natural importance around the world are recognized under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention.

• This conference was established in 1972. In India, there are 40 World Heritage Sites, making it the country with the sixth largest number of World Heritage Sites.

• It includes 32 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed site. The Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 astronomical instruments, which were built by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II. It also has the largest stone solarium in the world.