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- Recently, the Prime Minister of India conveyed his warm wishes on the occasion of Chhath Puja.
- Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival, primarily celebrated in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The festival honors Lord Surya (the Sun God) and his sister, Goddess Shashti, also known as Chhathi Maiya, through various religious rituals.
- One of the distinctive features of Chhath Puja is the absence of idol worship, setting it apart from many other Hindu festivals. The celebration typically falls between October and November, starting soon after the Diwali festivities conclude.
- The Chhath Puja spans four days, with each day marked by specific rituals and practices carried out with immense devotion. On the first day, devotees take a holy dip in a river or any water body. Many also bring home water from the Ganges for special rituals and offerings. It is customary to clean homes thoroughly on this day as part of the preparations.
- The second day, known as Kharna, involves a day-long fast that is broken in the evening after offering prayers to Mother Earth.
- On the third day, preparations for the prasad (offerings) begin for the evening's Sanjhiya Arghya. In the evening, devotees gather in large numbers at riverbanks to offer Arghya (prayers) to the setting sun. The night of the third day also features a lively and colorful tradition called Kosi.
- On the final day of Chhath, devotees rise early before sunrise and gather at the riverbanks to offer prayers to the rising sun. After performing the Arghya ritual, they break their fast and distribute prasad to family members, neighbors, and friends as a gesture of goodwill and gratitude.
- The festival, celebrated with deep reverence, is a time for both spiritual reflection and communal bonding.
- Antonia, a cloned black-footed ferret at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, has successfully given birth to two healthy offspring. These new additions will play an important role in boosting genetic diversity in the recovering population of this critically endangered species.
- The black-footed ferret is a member of the weasel family and is the only ferret species native to North America. Known for their alertness, agility, and curiosity, black-footed ferrets possess highly developed senses of smell, sight, and hearing.
- Distribution: This species is found across the interior regions of North America, ranging from southern Canada to northern Mexico.
- Habitat: Black-footed ferrets live in the shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies and rolling hills of North America. They typically make their homes in abandoned prairie dog burrows, utilizing these complex underground tunnels for both shelter and hunting.
- These ferrets are nocturnal creatures, primarily active at night, with peak activity occurring around dusk. During the winter months, their activity levels decrease, and they may remain underground for up to a week at a time to conserve energy.
- As carnivores, black-footed ferrets primarily hunt prairie dogs, though they may also prey on smaller animals like mice and ground squirrels.
- Reproduction: The species exhibits a unique reproductive strategy known as "delayed implantation." In this process, the fertilized egg remains dormant until environmental conditions are optimal for pregnancy and gestation.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Threats: The major threats to the black-footed ferret population include habitat loss, particularly the destruction of prairie dog colonies, and the increased spread of diseases. These factors have led to a dramatic decline in their numbers. Conservation efforts, including the successful cloning of individuals like Antonia, are crucial for the species' recovery.
- The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) recently concluded in New Delhi. During the event, delegates from various countries had the opportunity to witness the practical implementation of agrivoltaic systems through a site visit.
- Agrivoltaics is the practice of cultivating crops underneath solar panels. In this system, the solar panels are typically mounted 2-3 meters above the ground and set at a 30-degree angle, offering shade to the crops and protecting them from harsh weather conditions.
- The focus of agrivoltaics is on optimizing land use by simultaneously generating solar energy and growing crops. This method is sometimes referred to as "agrisolar," "dual-use solar," or "low-impact solar."
- In some systems, solar panels are elevated or suspended to ensure sufficient space for plants to grow underneath. Another option involves placing the panels on the roofs of greenhouses, which allows sunlight and rainwater to reach the crops while still offering protection. This setup also provides space for farm machinery to operate efficiently.
- Solar panels used in agrivoltaics are often mounted on poles or frames, creating space for crops to grow underneath or around them. Some systems even feature panels that can rotate or adjust to create the ideal balance of sunlight and shade for the crops.
- Advantages of Agrivoltaics:
- This approach significantly improves land-use efficiency, allowing solar energy generation and agricultural production to coexist without competing for space. Additionally, recent studies suggest that certain crops thrive when grown in agrivoltaic systems. The shade provided by the solar panels helps protect crops, such as vegetables, from heat stress and excessive water loss, ultimately improving yields and sustainability.