Glaciers in Sikkim are losing mass faster than other parts of the Himalaya
Context :
Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun an autonomous research institute for the study of Geology of the Himalaya under the Department of Science and Technology, have found that glaciers in Sikkim are melting at a higher magnitude as compared to other Himalayan regions.
Key Findings :
- The study has assessed around 23 glaciers and their spread since 1991 to 2015.
- The larger glaciers are thinning in size and smaller glaciers are retreating. During these years, major shift in behavior was noted since 2000.
- Since 2000, the western and central Himalayan glaciers have sowed reduced melting.
- Whereas in case of Sikkim Glaciers, the melting rate has increased.
- Summer temperature increase is the main reason for glacier changes.
This study is the first in India to study about multiple parameters of glaciers namely length, Debris cover, area, glacial lakes, snow line altitude.
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Technology :
The Institute operates under Department of Science and Technology. It was established in 1968. The institute provides advisory and consultancy services to various organizations. It also gives advises on geotechnical feasibility of hydel projects, their foundation and site selection.
Mass nesting of Olive Ridleys
Context :
Restrictions in place for the COVID-19 threat are saving lakhs of Olive Ridley turtles from possible disturbance by humans, especially tourists, while they are continuing mass nesting at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery.
Why in news :
Olive-ridleys face serious threats across their migratory route, habitat and nesting beaches, due to human activities such as turtle unfriendly fishing practices, development and exploitation of nesting beaches for ports, and tourist centres.
Tourists have been barred from visiting Rushikulya due to the countrywide lockdown in place since March 24. But turtle researchers and environmentalists have been allowed to visit the nesting sites,
Keyfacts :
- The animals had skipped Rushikulya last year, something that had baffled turtle researchers.
- Their absence was previously noted in 2002, 2007 and 2016 too. Around 300,000 turtles laid eggs in another rookery at Gahiramatha marine sanctuary in Kendrapara district recently.
- Tourists have been barred from visiting Rushikulya due to the countrywide lockdown in place since March 24. But turtle researchers and environmentalists have been allowed to visit the nesting sites.
Olive ridley Turtle :
- The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world, inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
- Growing to about 2 feet in length, and 50 kg in weight, the Olive ridley gets its name from its olive colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded.
CoWin-20 to curb the community spread of coronavirus
Context :
The Government of India is to launch CoWin-20 to curb the community spread of coronavirus.
What is CoWin-20 :
CoWin-20 is a new smartphone app that aims to track individuals by their smartphone locations. The app will be made soon and will be available widely across India.
Highlights of CoWin-20 :
- The Indian government aims to trace the personal travel histories of individuals through CoWin-20. By tracing, GoI can figure out how many people might have come in contact with the common people of the country.
- It is expected to help the government monitor the community spread of the coronavirus, and quarantine any individual who may be potentially at risk.
- It will be released on both the Google Play Store and Apple’s iOS App Store.
- The users of iOS devices will be required to share their device Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID) with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to get a unique download link.
- Cowin-20 can be used by individuals to learn about the location of coronavirus testing labs and quarantine centres in Indian cities.
- Other features of the app include automatic feeding of government advisories and official safety recommendations put forth by the Government of India.
First phase of Census 2021 and updation of NPR has been postponed
Context :
The Census 2021 which was scheduled to be conducted in two phases has bee postponed by the Government of India due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The updation of National Population Register (NPR) will be done along with the Phase I of Census 2021 in all the States/Union Territories, except Assam.
Census India 2021 :
- The Census 2021 will be conducted in two phases, namely house listing and House Census and Population Enumeration.
- The first phase of House listing & Housing Census was scheduled to be held from 1 April-30 September 2020.
- The second phase is Population Enumeration was scheduled to be conducted from 9-28 February 2021 throughout the country simultaneously.
Highlights :
The postponement of the Census is due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Central government has announced high alert for all the States/Union Territories (UT). Many State/UT governments have also declared lockdown. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI has issued advisories for various precautionary measures, including social distancing.
Source : the hindu