Sea otters
Syllabus:GS3/Species
In News
Sea otters are helping control the population of green crabs, an invasive species, in California’s Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.
- Green crabs, native to Europe, arrived in North America in the 1800s and have been damaging seagrass beds, outcompeting native species, and disrupting coastal ecosystems since the 1980s.
About Sea otters
- They are the smallest marine mammal, yet the largest member of the weasel family.
- Unique Characteristics: Lives entirely in the water throughout its life.
- Has the densest fur of any animal on Earth (1 million hairs per square inch).
- It Uses tools to hunt and feed, including rocks to crack open shells and pry abalone off rocks.
- The only marine mammal capable of flipping over boulders to search for food.
- Habitat and Diet: Inhabit coastal areas with shallow water.
- Eat on the ocean floor and perform activities such as eating and grooming at the surface.
- Sea otters have high metabolic rates and eat about 25% of their body weight daily.
- Consume over 100 prey species including sea urchins, clams, mussels, and crabs.
- Geographical Range: Found in Canada, Japan, Mexico, Russia, and the United States.
- Ecological Importance: Known as a keystone species, they regulate populations of herbivores like sea urchins, preventing them from destroying kelp forests.
- Help maintain the health of coastal marine ecosystems.
- Threats: Threatened by oil spills and other forms of pollution.
- Pollution from chemicals and disease-causing organisms in the water harms Sea Otters, affecting their prey and leading to illness and death.
- Conservation Status: Classified as endangered by the IUCN.
Source: TH
Balkan Blues
Syllabus: GS1/ Art and Culture
Context
- The Balkan Blues, a traditional musical form, was recently included in UNESCO’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
About
- Sevdalinka, commonly referred to as the Balkan Blues, is a melancholic urban love song originating in the Balkan region.
- Its roots trace back to the 16th century, reflecting a synthesis of South Slavic oral poetry and the musical influences of the Ottoman Empire.
Key Features
- Musical Expression: It is often performed a capella or with accompaniment from traditional instruments such as the tamburica (a lute-like instrument).
- Cultural Transmission: The art of Sevdalinka has been preserved through oral traditions, with performances being a central element of family gatherings and community events.
| Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) – Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) refers to cultural practices, traditions, expressions, knowledge, and skills that are passed down through generations and form an integral part of a community’s identity and cultural heritage. – Unlike tangible heritage (such as monuments or artifacts), ICH is not physical in nature but exists in the form of traditions and living expressions. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list – The UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list aims to recognize and safeguard cultural practices, traditions, and expressions that are integral to human creativity and diversity. – It stems from the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, coming into force in 2008. |
Source: DDNews
Vasilopita
Syllabus:Miscellaneous
In News
The vasilopita is an integral part of Greek New Year celebrations
About Vasilopita
- The Vasilopita is a traditional Greek cake baked to celebrate the New Year.
- A coin, known as flouri, is hidden inside the cake, and the person who finds it is believed to receive good fortune, love, and health for the year ahead.
- Origin of the Tradition: The tradition is rooted in legends associated with Saint Basil, who is akin to Santa Claus in Greece.
- Tribute: Vasilopita means “Sweet Bread of Basil” and honors Saint Basil, a bishop known for his generosity.
- The first slice is dedicated to Jesus Christ, the second to the Virgin Mary, and the third to Saint Basil.
Source :IE
Tamu Lhosar Festival
Syllabus:GS1/Culture
In News
Tamu Lhosar was recently observed in Nepal.
Tamu Lhosar Festival
- It is celebrated by the Gurung community to mark the New Year and bid farewell to the past year.
- In the Gurung language, “Lho” means year, and “Sar” denotes change.
- Tamu Lhosar is celebrated on the 15th of the Nepali month Push (December-January).
- The festival coincides with the longest night of the year, after which the night’s duration begins to shorten.
- Celebration Areas: The festival is observed with great enthusiasm in districts of Nepal with a significant Gurung population, including Lamjung, Gorkha, Tanahun, Syangja, Manang, Kaski, and Parbat.
- Cultural Programs: Gurung community members organize feasts and cultural events to celebrate the occasion.
Source: Air
State Funeral
Syllabus:Miscellaneous
In News
former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was given a state funeral
State Funeral:
- A state funeral is a ceremonial event for important figures, following set rules, involving public mourning.
- It is typically reserved for the death of the President, Prime Minister, a former President, or a Governor in India. However, in individual cases, the government may order a state funeral for other dignitaries.
- Rules for State Funeral: The funeral is attended by gazetted officers and service personnel dressed in formal state attire.
- The Ministry of Defence organizes the arrangements, following notifications from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
| Do you know? -National mourning is declared by the Centre or state governments for leaders or individuals with significant contributions to the country. – Official Protocol During Mourning: During national mourning, the national flag is flown at half mast. 1. During national or state mourning, official entertainments are suspended, except for Republic Day, Independence Day, or Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Mourning is resumed after such interruptions. – Flag Code for State Funerals: In a state funeral, the national flag is draped over the bier or coffin, with the saffron side towards the head. – The flag is not lowered into the grave or burned with the body, as per Section 3.58 of the Flag Code of India, 2002. |
Source: IE
RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR)
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Stability Report (FSR), underscoring improvements in the banking sector’s asset quality and financial resilience.
Key Highlights from the FSR
- Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) Ratio: Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) achieved a remarkable 12-year low GNPA ratio of 2.6% as of September 2024.
- Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR): Improved to 77%, driven primarily by proactive provisioning from Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Slippage Ratio: Marginally increased to 0.7%, indicating controlled accretions to NPAs.
- Household Debt Trends: India’s household debt stood at 42.9% of GDP in June 2024, relatively low among emerging markets but on a rising trajectory.
- Growth Projections: India’s Real GDP is projected to grow at 6.6% in 2024-25, driven by:
- Revival in rural consumption.
- Increased government consumption and investments.
- Strong services exports.
| Financial Stability Report (FSR) – The Financial Stability Report (FSR) is a biannual publication by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that assesses the stability and resilience of the Indian financial system. – It offers insights into the health of various components of the financial sector, including banking, non-banking financial institutions (NBFCs), mutual funds, insurance companies, and financial markets. |
Source: TH
Pangong Tso
Syllabus: Places in News
Context
- Recently the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated on the banks of Pangong Tso Lake at an altitude of 14,300 feet.
About
- It is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes at an altitude of 4,350 meters above sea level, located in the eastern Ladakh region of northern India.
- It derives its name from the Tibetan word, “Pangong Tso”, which means “high grassland lake”.
- The western part of the lake lies in Indian territory, while the eastern part is under Chinese control.
- It is saline and does not support any aquatic life, though it is home to some migratory bird species.
- Changing hues: The lake showcases different shades of blue, green, and sometimes even red, depending on the angle of the sunlight and the weather conditions.
Source: TH
Good Governance Index
Syllabus: GS2/Governace
Context
- The Centre has decided not to release the Good Governance Index 2023.
- The next edition is planned to be published in 2025.
About
- It was launched on December 25, 2019, the birth anniversary of late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee which is observed as Good Governance Day.
- The index covers over 50 indicators across sectors, including agriculture, economic governance, public health, and citizen-centric governance.
- Tamil Nadu and Gujarat got first place among big states in the 2019 and 2021 rankings, respectively.
Good Governance Day
- The day is celebrated on the 25th of December every year on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- In 2014, the government announced that December 25 would be celebrated as Good Governance Day.
- It was established with the slogan “Good Governance through e-Governance.”
Source: IE