Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) in Switzerland (GS Paper 3 Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Recently, a deadly virus swept through Zurich’s zoo, killing three Asian elephants in a month and leaving experts stumped as to how to stop its spread.
- The zoo has only Asian five elephants roaming its 11,000-square-metre (118,400-square-foot) elephant enclosure.
Details:
- Two-year-old bull Umesh was the first to fall victim to the Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) at the end of June, followed just days later by his eight-year-old sister Omysha.
- Recently, Ruwani, a five-year-old female from a second matriarchal herd also died.
- They succumbed to the herpesvirus, which leaves young Asian elephants with internal bleeding and organ failure.
EEHV:
- In captivity, this virus is the main cause of death for elephants between two and eight years.
- The virus has also been known to kill elephants in the wild.
- There is no vaccine, and while antivirals exist, they are not very efficient and even when elephants are treated quickly, only about a third of them survive.
Asian elephants:
- Asian elephants, which can live up to around 60 years old, are listed by the IUCN as an endangered species, with only about 50,000 left in the wild.
- Deforestation, urban sprawl and agricultural development have robbed them of their natural habitat, while poaching and the illegal ivory trade also threaten many herds.
Lithospheric dripping under the Andes
(GS Paper 1 Geography)
Context:
- Scientists have for the first time discovered a unique development happening under the Andes, the longest continental mountain range in the world, the crust beneath is dripping like honey and it has been happening for millions of years.
- The material is being consumed by the mantle, the layer beneath the crust.
Layers of Earth’s surface:
- Earth's surface has three layers, the outermost being the crust, the middle is the mantle and the innermost region is called the core.
What is lithospheric dripping?
- Researchers found that the rocky outermost layer of Earth’s shell is continuously sinking into the more fluid layer of the planet’s mantle in a process called lithospheric dripping.
- This is resulting in significant deformations on the surface leading to the creation of basins, folding of the crust and irregular elevations.
Findings:
- The study states that the basin and plateau regions of the Central Andes have undergone phases of rapid subsidence and uplift during the last 20 million years in addition to internal tectonic deformation.
- The formation of the Arizaro Basin and nearby Central Andean basins are caused by symptomatic lithospheric dripping events and highlight the significant role of non-subduction geodynamic mechanisms in driving surface tectonics.
Similar phenomenon in other parts of the world:
- While the findings are new to the world of plate tectonics, lithospheric dripping has been noticed around the world including in the Central Anatolian Plateau in Turkey and the Great Basin in the western US.
- Researchers have confirmed that several regions in the central Andes Mountains in South America were formed the same way.
Phenomenon behind lithospheric dripping:
- Scientists believe that the phenomenon happens when portions of the lowest layer of Earth’s outer shell thicken and begin to drip into the mantle below when warmed to a certain temperature.
- As it sinks it first forms a basin at the surface which later springs up when the weight below breaks off and sinks further into the deeper depths of the mantle.
Conclusion:
- They developed models to recreate the conditions and situations to understand what happened thousands of centuries ago that led to the modern-day mountains in the region. The researchers suggest the findings aim to clarify the link between mantle processes and crustal tectonics.
- The discoveries show that the lithosphere can be more volatile or fluid-like than believed.
Parshuram Circuit
(GS Paper 1, Culture)
Why in news?
- In a major step by the Uttar Pradesh state government, the Public Works Department (PWD) is all set to make a Parshuram pilgrimage circuit, a 500-km long corridor, which will connect five pilgrimages in six districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Key Highlights:
- The Parshuram circuit will connect Naimish Dham, the center of faith of Hindus, Maharishi Dadhichi Sthal Misrikh, Golagokarnath, Gomti Udgam, Purnagiri Maa's temple border with Baba Neem Korori Dham and Jalalabad Parshuram's birthplace.
- This circuit will pass through six districts of UP - Sitapur, Lakhimpur, Pilibhit, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Farukhabad.
- The PWD will construct the corridor along with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- The project will be undertaken at an estimated investment of over Rs 5,000 crore.
Way Forward:
- In addition to the Parshuram circuit, the state is already working on several religious circuits, including the Ayodhya 84 Kosi Marg, Buddha and Ramayana circuit.
Cow Urine under ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Chhattisgarh government launched a unique scheme for institutionalized purchase of cattle urine at Rs 4 per litre.
Details:
- An extension of 'Godhan Nyay Yojana', Chief Minister launched the scheme on the auspicious ‘Hareli’ festival by selling 5 litres of cow urine, collected from his own 'gaushala' (in Durg district) to the Nidhi Self Help Group of Chandkhuri for Rs 20.
‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’:
- ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’, which also entails procurement of cow dung, was rolled out two years ago with the aim of providing income to cattle-rearers, organic farmers and also strengthening the rural economy.
How cow urine will be used?
- The cow urine purchased under this scheme will be used to make pest control products and ‘Jeevamrut’ (liquid organic fertilizer).
- The move aims to minimize the use of expensive chemical pesticides and promote organic farming in the state by making organic pesticides available to farmers at nominal prices.
- In addition, it also aims to minimize the residue of chemical pesticides in food items, which destroys their nutritional value and cause harmful effects on human health.
Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath Yatra:
- A new initiative by the State Women’s Commission to create legal awareness among women, he also commenced the 'Mukhyamantri Mahtari Nyay Rath Yatra' in the state.
- This Rath (chariot) will travel in all the districts, creating awareness about the legal provisions of women and their constitutional rights, through the medium of short films, messages, and brochures.
- Each Mahatari Nyay Rath will have two advocates present, who will listen to the grievances of women and provide them with information and advice. Women will also be able to submit their applications for resolution of their grievances to the Women's Commission, through Nyay Rath.
Significance:
- It is important for every woman, educated or uneducated, housewives or working, to be aware of the functions of the Women's Commission, be informed about the relevant laws and rules, and to be educated about their legal rights.
About Hareli Festival:
- Hareli festival is considered to be the first festival of Chhattisgarh, which is celebrated every year on Hareli Amavasya in the month of Sawan.
- This festival has a special significance for the farmers of Chhattisgarh. After the sowing of paddy, all agricultural and iron tools are worshiped by the farmers on the day of Hareli.
- On the day of Hareli, men make a Gedi (made of bamboo) and climb on it.
