Prelim Bits 19-03-2023 & 20-03-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

MATSYA-6000

India’s indigenous manned submersible ‘MATSYA-6000’ plunges into the bowels of the Indian Ocean.

• The Indian Government launched the Samudrayaan Mission in 2021 and MATSYA is the vehicle designed for this mission.
• MATSYA-6000 is a manned submersible vehicle developed indigenously.
• It is a 6000 m depth-rated Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
• It was designed and developed by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai under Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• The submersible can on-board a 3-person crew and dive deep at 6,000 metres.
• It has an endurance of 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours in case of emergency for human safety.

The success of this mission will put India one among 6 countries to have piloted a crewed under-sea expedition beyond 5,000 metres.

References

1. The Hindu - India suits up for deepest dive yet
2. The Hindu - What is India's Deep Ocean Mission?
3. PIB - Samudrayaan Mission is expected to be realised by year 2026

Horseshoe Crabs

Horseshoe crabs appear to be disappearing from their familiar spawning grounds along Chandipur and Balaramgadi coast in Odisha.

• Horseshoe crabs are one of oldest living creatures on the earth.
• These crabs are basically deep sea animals.
• The creature has lived on earth for about 450 million years without undergoing any morphological change.

• In India - India one of the major breeding ground and maximum density of Horseshoe crabs is found along the Odisha coast.
• Breeding - They come to coasts of Balasore in Odisha and Digha and Sundarban in West Bengal for breeding purposes.
• They select a suitable site for laying their eggs.
• Balasore used to be the largest spawning ground.
• Threats - Their spawning activities are affected due to unregulated fishing activities.
• Blood - These crab’s blood is blue in colour due to a different oxygen-carrying protein, called hemocyanin which has copper.
• (human blood has haemoglobin which has iron that gives red colour to our blood)
• Horseshoe crab’s blood contains a special clotting agent limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) which detects a contaminant called endotoxin.
• Medicinal Value - These crabs are medicinally priceless and are used to test vaccines, drugs and medical devices.
• Their blood is used to ensure that vaccines aren’t contaminated with endotoxins.
• Conservation
  1. Wildlife Protection Act 1972 - Schedule IV

The Japanese government has imposed complete ban on Horseshoe crab fishing and they have declared the animal as an endangered species.

References

1. The Hindu - Horseshoe crabs disappearing off Odisha

TN-KET Initiative

Tamil Nadu has pioneered an initiative called TN-KET across the State to reduce the mortality rate among people with tuberculosis.

• The initiative TN-KET (Tamil Nadu Kasanoi Erappila Thittam - meaning TB death-free project) began in April 2022 in 2,500-odd public healthcare facilities that diagnosed TB in 30 districts.
• It has achieved significant reduction in the number of early TB deaths (Deaths within 2 months of TB diagnosis).
• Early TB deaths have reduced from more than 600 in April 2022 to less than 350 in December 2022.

Nearly 70% of all TB deaths among notified TB patients take place in the first two months after diagnosis.

• Chennai-based National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE) along with the State TB Cell is spearheading TN-KET.
• Preliminary assessment (triaging) of patients based on just 3 conditions instead of 16 parameters of ‘differentiated TB care guidelines’.
• 3 conditions - very severe undernutrition, respiratory insufficiency, and inability to stand without support.
• The triaging was feasible for quick identification at diagnosis and referral for admission in a healthcare facility for comprehensive assessment and further management of the disease.
• The comprehensive assessment is mainly for identifying severe TB illness needing immediate care thus vastly cutting down the delay and increasing the chances of saving lives.
• The State has identified around 150 nodal inpatient care facilities with nearly 900 beds earmarked for people with severely ill with TB.

References

1. The Hindu - TN’s novel initiative results in reduced TB deaths

Plastic rocks and Trindade Island

A rock made of plastic debris, discovered in the Trindade Island is an evidence of humans’ growing influence over the earth’s geological cycles.

• Plastic reaching the remote island of Trindade was an evidence of humans’ growing influence over the earth’s geological cycles.
• The plastic rock was found in the permanently preserved area, near the place green turtles lay their eggs.
• Plastic Debris -The fishing nets which is very common debris in Trindade, are dragged by the marine currents, accumulate on the beach.
• When the temperature rises, this plastic melts.
• Over the time, the melted plastic became intertwined with rocks on the island.
• These rocks are called ‘plastiglomerates’ since they are made of a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris held together by plastic.

Trindade Island

• Trindade Island is the easternmost and most remote point in Brazilian territory.
• It is located about 1,140 km from the mainland of Brazil.
• Trindade surfaced owing to volcanic activity under the Atlantic Ocean about 3 million years ago.

• Biodiversity - The Island hosts many species of native flora and fauna including seabirds and marine creatures.
• Trindade is one of the most important conservation and nesting spots for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).
• It hosts native seabirds like the Trindade Petrel, and the great frigatebird, which are only found in the Indo-Pacific.
• The surrounding marine region also hosts species of sharks, dolphins, and corals.
• Habitation - Trindade is a protected area not inhabited by any humans except for a small Brazilian Navy Crew.

References

1. IE - Researchers find ‘terrifying’ plastic rocks on remote island
2. The Hindu- Why have plastic rocks been found on Trindade Island?

Global Shree Anna Conference

Prime Minister inaugurates the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi.

• A commemorative stamp and commemorative coin were unveiled in this 2-day conference.
• A compendium of Indian millet (Shri Anna) start-ups and a book of millet (Shri Anna) standards were also digitally launched.
• The Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR was declared as a Global Centre of Excellence.
• Global Millets Conference is a symbol of India’s responsibilities towards the global good.
• Shree Anna is becoming a medium of holistic development in India and is linked with village as well as the poor.
• AgLive 2023 - ‘AgLive 2023: The Millet Challenge’ is a Pitch session for Millets based Startups, organised as part of the conference.
• It was aimed at making an impact by increasing interaction amongst millet-based innovators/entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders.

References

1. PIB - PM inaugurates the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference
2. PIB - AgLive 2023: The Millet Challenge