CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has strongly reprimanded three district magistrates from Uttar Pradesh and the member secretary of the state's pollution control board for granting mining permissions "in a mechanical and unthinking manner" within the state's turtle wildlife sanctuary.
• About the Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • The Turtle Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Varanasi District, Uttar Pradesh, is the first freshwater turtle sanctuary in India. The sanctuary spans a 7 km stretch of the Ganga River, flowing through Varanasi, from Ramnagar Fort to the Malviya Rail/Road Bridge. It was established with the aim of ensuring the survival of turtles released into the river, specifically to help with the natural removal of half-burnt human remains that are traditionally discarded into the Ganga following Hindu cremation rites.
  • The sanctuary supports the breeding and release of Indian softshell turtles as part of the Ganga Action Plan, which sought an organic solution to cleanse the river without disrespecting religious practices. The initiative is also designed to boost the population of the increasingly rare Indian softshell turtle.
  • Turtle hatchlings are raised at a breeding center in Sarnath before being released into the Ganges once they are old enough to thrive in the wild. Each year, approximately 2,000 turtle eggs are transported from the Chambal and Yamuna rivers to the breeding center. In addition to turtles, the sanctuary is home to the endangered Gangetic Dolphin, along with several species of fish, such as Rohu, Tengra, and Bhakur.

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• The Global TB Report 2024 has recognized India’s substantial achievements in closing the gap of missed tuberculosis (TB) cases since 2015.
• About the Global TB Report:
  • The Global TB Report is an annual publication by the World Health Organization (WHO). It offers a comprehensive, updated analysis of the global TB epidemic, as well as progress made in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease at global, regional, and national levels.
• Key Highlights of the 2024 Report:
  • The report reveals that 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with TB in 2023, marking the highest number of TB cases ever recorded by the WHO since global TB monitoring began in 1995. This reflects a notable increase from 7.5 million new cases reported in 2022.
  • TB deaths in 2023 were estimated at 1.25 million, a decrease from 1.32 million in 2022, continuing a downward trend from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this number remains significantly higher than the 320,000 COVID-19 deaths officially reported to the WHO in the same year.
  • The data highlights that 30 countries, primarily low- and middle-income nations, account for 87% of the global TB burden. Among these, India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan together contribute to 56% of the global TB cases.
  • Of the total global TB cases, 55% were men, 33% were women, and 12% were children and adolescents.
  • Major risk factors contributing to new TB cases include undernutrition, HIV infection, alcohol use, smoking, and diabetes.
• India's Progress:
  • In 2023, India reported approximately 27 lakh TB cases, with 25.1 lakh individuals diagnosed and placed on treatment. This achievement led to an increase in India's treatment coverage, which rose to 89% in 2023, compared to 72% in 2015, effectively bridging the gap of missed cases.

The report also notes a significant reduction in India's TB incidence, which fell from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 195 cases per lakh in 2023, representing a 17.7% decline over the past eight years

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• The Central Government has announced plans to equip one lakh fishing vessels with indigenously developed transponders. This initiative aims to establish a two-way communication and support system that will significantly enhance the safety and security of fishermen operating at sea.
• About Transponders:
  • A transponder is a wireless device used for communication, monitoring, or control purposes. It automatically detects and responds to an incoming signal, combining the functions of both a transmitter and a responder.
  • Transponders are commonly employed for detecting, identifying, and tracking objects. They are also used in various technologies, including satellites for relaying communication signals. In addition to their use in aviation and space technology, transponders are also found in everyday objects like car keys.
• How Do Transponders Work?
  • Transponders function by utilizing radio frequencies. When they receive a signal, often called an interrogator signal, they automatically respond by sending back an identifying signal. The response may include location data and identifying codes, depending on the type of transponder.
  • To ensure two-way communication, transponders are designed to receive and transmit signals on different frequencies. For example, when an air traffic controller sends an interrogator signal, the transponder on an aircraft will reply with identifying information. This enables air traffic control to track the aircraft's location, ensuring proper distance from other planes and aiding pilots in navigating safely.
• Applications of Transponders:
  • Transponders are utilized in a variety of fields, including:
    • Aircraft Identification
    • Satellite Communications
    • Vehicle Key Systems
    • Optical Communication Systems
    • Sonar and Maritime Navigation
    • Electronic Toll Collection
    • Motor Sports (e.g., lap timing and tire identification)
    • Magnetic Stripe Technology (e.g., credit cards)
• In the context of the fishing industry, the installation of transponders on fishing vessels will enable real-time monitoring, improve communication, and help ensure the safety of fishermen at sea by providing better tracking and emergency response capabilities.

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• Although Cyclone Dana brought heavy rainfall to Kolkata, it also provided some relief to individuals suffering from allergies and asthma. The torrential downpours caused the chhatim trees (scientific name: Alstonia scholaris) to shed their fragrant flowers, which are known to trigger allergic reactions.
• About Alstonia scholaris:
  • Alstonia scholaris, commonly known as the blackboard tree, scholar tree, milkwood, or devil's tree, is an evergreen tropical tree belonging to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). In India, it is called Saptaparna. The tree has been referenced in ancient Ayurvedic texts, including the Charaka and Sushrutha Samhithas.
• Distribution:
  • The Alstonia scholaris is found widely across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and southern China, flourishing in tropical and subtropical climates.
• Features:
  • The tree can grow between 10 to 20 meters tall, with some specimens reaching as high as 40 meters.
  • It has dark grey bark and a distinctive crown of whorled leaves, typically in clusters of seven, which gives rise to its local name Saptaparna (meaning “seven-leaves”).
• Flowers:
  • The tree blooms small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers in clusters during late autumn and early winter.
• Uses:
  • Parts of the Alstonia scholaris, including the bark and leaves, have been traditionally used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as respiratory conditions, fever, skin disorders, and digestive issues.
  • The soft, lightweight wood of the tree was once commonly used for crafting writing slates and blackboards, leading to the common name blackboard tree.
• IUCN Status:
  • The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating it is not at significant risk of extinction.
• In Kolkata, the shedding of the strong-smelling flowers during the cyclone's rains provided a welcome relief to those sensitive to the powerful fragrance, which is often a trigger for respiratory issues and allergies.

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• Israel's Iron Beam defense system, designed to use high-powered lasers to intercept and destroy incoming projectiles, is expected to become operational within the next year, according to reports.
• About Iron Beam:
  • The Iron Beam, also referred to as Magen or Light Shield, is an advanced laser-based missile defense system developed by Israel. It is a 100 kW-class High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) and is anticipated to be the first operational system of its kind.
  • The system is a directed-energy weapon designed to fire concentrated beams of light capable of neutralizing fast-moving projectiles, such as rockets and mortar shells. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Iron Beam was first revealed to the public in 2014.
  • The operational range of Iron Beam extends up to 7 km (about 4.3 miles).
• Advantages:
  • The continuous energy supply for the laser ensures it never runs out of "ammunition," providing sustained defense capability without the need for replenishing conventional stockpiles.
  • The lack of traditional munitions means significant cost savings, as the laser system eliminates the need to purchase and store physical interceptors.
  • Iron Beam can be integrated with Israel’s Iron Dome and other air defense systems, offering enhanced multilayered defense capabilities.
  • The system is highly flexible and can be deployed across a range of defense platforms.
• Disadvantages:
  • The system’s effectiveness can be reduced in conditions of restricted visibility, such as heavy cloud cover, fog, or adverse weather, as the laser's energy is absorbed by moisture in the air.
  • Moisture in the atmosphere, including rain or high humidity, can further diminish the laser’s power, limiting its operational capacity in wet conditions.
  • Iron Beam requires a direct line of sight to its target, making its placement and positioning critical for its effectiveness.
  • It also has a relatively slow rate of fire, with a delay of around five seconds required to direct enough energy to destroy a target.
  • Despite these limitations, the Iron Beam is poised to be a key component in Israel's defense strategy, providing an advanced layer of protection against incoming threats.