CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Iran has recently achieved a milestone by successfully launching its research satellite, Chamran-1, into orbit.
• Details about Chamran-1 Research Satellite:
  • Chamran-1 is an Iranian research satellite that was developed and built by Iranian engineers at Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), a subsidiary of the defense ministry. The project also involved collaboration with the Aerospace Research Institute and various private sector partners.
  • The satellite was launched into orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers (341 miles) above Earth's surface using the domestically produced Ghaem-100 space launch vehicle (SLV). The Ghaem-100 rocket, which carried Chamran-1, was developed by the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is Iran's first three-stage solid-fuel satellite launcher.
  • Weighing around 60 kilograms, Chamran-1's primary objective is to test hardware and software systems for validating orbital maneuver technology. Additionally, the satellite has secondary objectives, such as evaluating the performance of cold gas propulsion systems and assessing the functionality of navigation and attitude control subsystems.

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• A recent study has discovered that a trilobite species from upstate New York, known for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils, possesses an additional set of legs located beneath its head.
• About Trilobites:
  • Trilobites are a group of extinct marine arthropods. The term "trilobite" derives from the Latin words for "three-part-body," reflecting their distinctive anatomy.
  • These ancient creatures first appeared around 521 million years ago, shortly after the Cambrian period began, and thrived throughout most of the Palaeozoic Era for nearly 300 million years. They went extinct at the end of the Permian period, about 251 million years ago, as a result of the end-Permian mass extinction, which wiped out over 90% of Earth's species.
• Features:
  • Trilobites are easily identifiable by their characteristic three-lobed, three-segmented body structure. Like other arthropods, they had an external skeleton, or exoskeleton, made of chitin. To grow, trilobites would shed their exoskeleton in a process known as molting; thus, many fossil trilobites are actually fossilized molts.
  • Trilobites were pioneers in developing complex eyes, making them one of the earliest groups of animals to do so. They were also among the first to evolve multiple appendages for locomotion. Their varied lifestyles included swimming, burrowing, or crawling along the muddy sea floors.
  • Trilobite fossils range in size from less than a centimeter to over 70 centimeters in length.

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• The water level of Gujarat's Sardar Sarovar Dam recently reached 136.43 meters, falling just over two meters short of its maximum reservoir capacity.
• About Sardar Sarovar Dam:
  • The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a concrete gravity dam situated on the Narmada River at Kevadia in Gujarat’s Narmada district. It is named in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • Standing as the third highest concrete dam in India at 163 meters, it ranks below the Bhakra Dam (226 meters) in Himachal Pradesh and the Lakhwar Dam (192 meters) in Uttar Pradesh. In terms of the volume of concrete used, it is the second largest gravity dam in the world, following the Grand Coulee Dam in the USA.
  • The dam is a key component of the Narmada Valley Project, an extensive hydraulic engineering initiative aimed at building a series of large irrigation and hydroelectric dams on the Narmada River. The catchment area upstream of the dam covers 88,000 square kilometers, and the dam's spillway can handle a discharge capacity of 87,000 cubic meters per second.
  • The project boasts the longest canal network globally, including the Narmada Main Canal, approximately 2,500 kilometers of branch canals, 5,500 kilometers of distributaries, and other related channels. The Narmada Main Canal, stretching 458.3 kilometers and with a capacity of 1,133 cubic meters per second, is the largest irrigation-lined canal in the world.
  • The power generated by the dam is distributed among Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat in the proportions of 57%, 27%, and 16%, respectively.

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• The National Green Tribunal has instructed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a new status report detailing the generation and treatment of electronic waste across all states.
• About the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
  • The CPCB is a statutory organization established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It was later given additional responsibilities under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
  • As a key field formation, CPCB also provides technical support to the Ministry of Environment and Forests in accordance with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Principal Functions of the CPCB:
  • According to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the CPCB's main functions include:
  • Promoting the cleanliness of streams and wells by preventing, controlling, and reducing water pollution.
  • Enhancing air quality and addressing air pollution through prevention and control measures.
  • Advising the Central Government on strategies for controlling and mitigating air and water pollution.
• Standard Development Activities of CPCB:
  • CPCB is involved in developing and revising environmental standards, updating the Comprehensive Industrial Document (COINDS), and setting guidelines for environmental management across various industries. In collaboration with state governments, CPCB establishes standards for:
  • Stream and well water quality and air quality.
  • Treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents.
  • Air pollution control devices, stacks, and ducts.
• CPCB Develops Standards For:
  • National ambient air quality.
  • Water quality criteria from various sources.
  • Emission or discharge standards for pollutants from different industries (under the Environment Protection Rules, 1986).
  • Treatment and disposal of biomedical waste through incineration.
  • Emission standards and noise limits for diesel engines.
  • Emission and noise limits for LPG and CNG generator sets.
• Additionally, CPCB formulates Minimal National Standards (MINAS) for different industry categories, specifying regulations for effluent discharge, emissions, noise levels, and solid waste. These standards are mandated for adoption by State Governments as minimum benchmarks.

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• A recent study indicates that a blend of Siddha medicines can effectively reduce anemia among adolescent girls.
• About Siddha Medicine:
  • Siddha medicine is a traditional healing system that originated in South India and is recognized as one of the oldest medicinal traditions in India. Historical records from the Sangam Era suggest that the origins of Siddha medicine date back to around 10,000 BC.
  • The Siddha system is attributed to the work of the Siddhars, a group of spiritual masters primarily from Tamil Nadu. The system is named after these Siddhars, who were believed to possess special abilities known as siddhis. Notable Siddhars include Nandi, Agasthyar, Agappai, and Pumbatti.
  • Traditionally, the Siddha system is said to have been founded by Agastyar (also known as Agasthya). In rural India, Siddha practitioners traditionally learned their skills from community elders.
  • Siddha medicine combines ancient medicinal practices with spiritual disciplines, alchemy, and mysticism. It is unique in that it not only addresses disease but also considers the patient's behavior, environmental factors, age, habits, and physical condition.
  • The system is based on principles including the panchamahabhootam (five basic elements), 96 thathuvas (principles), mukkuttram (three humours), and 6 arusuvai (six tastes). Siddha practitioners believe that the five elements—soil, fire, water, sky, and air—are present in everything, including food, bodily humours, and various substances such as herbal, animal, and inorganic chemicals like sulphur and mercury. These elements are believed to have therapeutic properties that can be utilized in treating a wide range of illnesses.