Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS)

The Indian Air Force has received Israel’s Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) anti-tank guided missiles.

Background:-

The Spike NLOS will be integrated with the Russian-origin fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters.

About Spike Non-Line of Sight (NLOS):-

Developed by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Israel.

Characteristic features of Spike NLOS:-

Spike NLOS is a multi-purpose, electro-optical/infrared missile system.

It is a fire-and-forget anti-tank and anti-personnel missile.

Range: up to 32 kilometers

It can be integrated with the ground, air, or maritime platforms.

It has the capability to strike distant or geographically concealed targets without line-of-sight.

In missile guidance, line of sight (LOS) is the line directly between the launcher/tacker and the target.

The weapon’s seeker and wireless datalink provide operators with real-time video imagery and man-in-the-loop control throughout the missile’s flight.

This provides operators with the opportunity to alter or abort the mission while en route to the target.

The made-in-Israel Spike missile is capable of destroying enemy targets hidden behind mountains from long ranges.

Project Devika

Recently, it was announced that North India’s first River Rejuvenation Project Devika is nearing its completion.

Background:-

Built at a cost of over Rs 190 crore on the lines of ‘Namami Ganga’, the Project was launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

About Project Devika:-

Launched:2019.

It was launched under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).

Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Objectives: Project Devika aims to rejuvenate the Devika River.

Salient Features of Project Devika:-

Under the project, bathing “ghats” (places) on the banks of the Devika River will be developed.

Further, the encroachments will be removed, and natural water bodies will be restored.

The catchment areas will also be developed along with cremation grounds.

The Liquid Waste Management Project involves creating a network of pipes and manholes connecting households under the Project. (Cleaning of River Ganga)

A Solid Waste Management Project is additionally planned to further enhance the river’s restoration.

The project also includes the construction of three sewage treatment plants, the development of two cremation ghats, protection fencing and landscaping, small hydropower plants, and three solar power plants.

About River Devika:

Origin: Devika River originates from the hilly Suddha Mahadev temple in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir and flows down towards western Punjab (now in Pakistan) where it merges with the Ravi River.

The river holds religious significance as it is revered by Hindus, as the sister of the river Ganga.It is believed that Devika River is a manifestation of the Goddess Parwati.

Vaquita porpoise

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has issued its first ‘extinction alert’ on the vaquita porpoise.

Background:-

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) issued its first ‘extinction alert’ on August 7, 2023, on the vaquita porpoise, of which only 10 individuals survive in the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez in Mexico.

International Whaling Commission (IWC): an international body charged with the conservation of whales and the management of whaling.

It was set up under International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW).

ICRW governs the commercial, scientific, and aboriginal subsistence whaling practices of the member nations.

It was signed in 1946.

HQ: Impington, near Cambridge, England.

About Vaquita porpoise:-

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phocoena sinus

HEIGHT: Up to 5 feet

WEIGHT: Up to 120 pounds

HABITATS: Marine.

The vaquita is only found in the northernmost part of the Gulf of California, Mexico.

It is most commonly seen in shallow waters up to 50 meters deep.

POPULATION: About 10 individuals.

It is on the edge of extinction.

Vaquita, the world’s rarest marine mammal.

Its name means “little cow” in Spanish.

The vaquita has a large dark ring around its eyes and dark patches on its lips that form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins.

It is unique among the porpoises as it is the only species of that family found in warm waters.

The size of the dorsal fin is believed to be an adaptation to that, allowing for extra body heat to dissipate.

Threats for Vaquita porpoise:-

Illegal fishing with gill nets for the vulnerable totoaba, a large fish sought after for its swim bladder.

The small animal frequently gets caught in fixed fishing nets (gill nets), as by-catch.

Conservation Status Vaquita porpoise:-

IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered.

CITES: Appendix I

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

Raman Sukumar has been elected as the vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Background:-

Raman Sukumar is an Asian elephant expert.

He was elected vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) during the recent election held at the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi from July 25-28, 2023.

As part of the new IPCC Bureau, he will work on the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report, expected to be completed in the coming 5-7 years.

About Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):-

Establishment: 1988.

Established by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.

Objective: to provide governments at all levels with scientific information that they can use to develop climate policies.  (IPCC)

IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change.

The IPCC provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation.

Membership of IPCC:-

The IPCC is an organization of governments that are members of the United Nations or WMO.

The IPCC currently has 195 members.

India is a member of the IPCC.

The working mechanism of IPCC:-

The IPCC does not conduct its own research.

Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC.

For the assessment reports, experts volunteer their time as IPCC authors.

They assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary.

This summary mentions what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts, and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks.

IPCC Assessment Reports

Every few years (about 7 years), the IPCC produces assessment reports.

These are the most comprehensive scientific evaluations of the state of the earth’s climate.

The Assessment Reports – by three working groups of scientists.

Working Group-I – Deals with the scientific basis for climate change.

Working Group II – Looks at the likely impacts, vulnerabilities, and adaptation issues.

Working Group III – Deals with actions that can be taken to combat climate change.

First assessment report:

Sixth Assessment Report: 2023. (IPCC report on Mitigation of Climate Change)

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) points out that about 5% of birds found in India are endemic.

Key highlights of the report:-

The publication, titled 75 Endemic Birds of India, was recently released on the 108th foundation day of the ZSI.

India is home to 1,353 bird species, which represents approximately 12.40% of global bird diversity.

Of these 1,353 bird species, 78 (5%) are endemic to the country.

Of the 78 species, three species have not been recorded in the last few decades.

They are the Manipur Bush Quail listed as ‘Endangered’ by theIUCN Red List with its last recorded sighting in 1907; the Himalayan Quail listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last recorded sighting in 1876; and the Jerdon’s Courser listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ with its last confirmed sighting in 2009.

Of the 78 endemic species, 25 are classified as ‘Threatened’ by the IUCN.

The highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species.

25 bird species are endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

About the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI):-

Establishment:1916.

Ministry: Ministry of Environment and Forests.

HQ: Kolkata

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Objective: It was established as a national center for a faunistic survey and exploration of the resources leading to the advancement of knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country.

Functions of ZSI:-

Identification & Advisory

Training & Extension Services in the field of animal taxonomy and faunistic surveys.

Library

Presentation & Publication of Research work in journals and books.

Study of:-

Fauna of states.

Fauna of conservation areas.

Fauna of important ecosystems.

Status survey of endangered species.

Fauna of India

Ecological Studies & Environmental impact assessments.