UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 01-08-2024

Kalasa-Banduri project

A team from the Progressive River Authority for Water and Harmony (PRAWAH) recently visited Belagavi district, reigniting the dispute between Karnataka and Goa over the Mahadayi River.

• Background - The Kalasa-Banduri Project is a Karnataka government initiative first proposed in the 1980s.
• It aims to divert water from the Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River to improve drinking water supplies to the districts of Belagavi, Bagalkote, Dharwad, and Gadag.
• The Kalasa nala project, part of the Kalasa-Banduri Project, involves building barrages to store and lift water from the stream and divert it into the Malaprabha.

• The entire project aims to construct a total of 11 dams on the river Mahadayi. 
• The project would also involve diverting around 27 hectares of land, including 11 hectares in a tiger corridor between Karnataka and Goa.
• The Dispute - The project has been delayed due to inter-state water dispute between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
• Goa has argued that the project would reduce the flow of water into the Mahadayi, damaging its natural flow and ecology.
• While Goa has also claimed the project would impact tiger conservation and concerns over ecological damage.

• Tribunal - The Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal was set up in 2010 to look into the issue. 
• The Tribunal in 2018 awarded 13.42 TMC water from Mahadayi river basin to Karnataka, 1.33 TMC to Maharashtra and 24 TMC to Goa. 

Mahadayi River

• Mahadayi originates inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Belagavi district of Karnataka.
• It flows through Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
• It is called as Mandovi River in Goa.
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Chorao Island, Goa is located on the Mandovi River.
• Tributaries - Kalasa Nala, Surla Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala, Andher Nala.

References

1. Down to Earth | Kalasa-Banduri project
2. The Indian Express | Kalasa-Banduri project

AXIS of resistance

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh recently assassinated in an air strike in Tehran, Iran.

• AXIS of resistance - It is a coalition of Iranian-backed anti-US and anti-Israel political and militant groups.
• Origin of the Name – Its name is inspired by former US President George W Bush’s use of the term ‘axis of evil’.
• It referred to Iran, Iraq, and North Korea.
• Group Members
  • Hezbollah - Shiite militant organization
  • Hamas - Palestinian Sunni militant group in Gaza
  • Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) - Sunni Islamist militant group, Palestine
  • Houthis - Zaydi Shia militant group, Yemen

• Formation of the coalition -     The Iranian Revolution of 1979 paved the way for radical Shia Muslim clerics to come to power in the Middle East region.
• Middle East was dominated by US and Israel supported Sunni-majority nations such as Saudi Arabia.
• To expand its political and military influence in a region Iran’s new regime began to support non-state actors.
• Iran has seen Israel’s creation in 1948 as a means for the US (and the West) to influence the region for its strategic interests.

Reference

Indian Express | Axis of Resistance

Kakori Train Action

The historic Kakori train action, a significant event in Indian freedom will be celebrated throughout Uttar Pradesh.

• Kakori Train Action – It was a train robbery event that took place at Kakori, a village near Lucknow, on 9 August 1925.
• Organizers - It was the first major action organized by the Indian revolutionaries of Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
• Leaders - Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan.
• Other member of the plan- Rajendra Lahiri, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sachindra Bakshi, Keshab Chakravarty, Manmathnath Gupta, Mukundi Lal, Murari Lal Gupta and Banwari Lal.
• The 100^th anniversary of this incident will be celebrated in 2025.
• Event
  • On 9 August 1925, the Number 8 Down Train was travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow.
  • It carried treasury bags meant to be deposited in the British treasury in Lucknow.
  • When it passed Kakori village, Rajendra Lahiri pulled the emergency chain to stop the train.
  • Subsequently Ram Prasad Bismil , Ashfaqullah Khan and others  entered the train and looted the money.
  • Due to a misfiring, one passenger (a lawyer named Ahmad Ali) was killed during the robbery.
• Reaction by the British - British authorities launched violent crackdown and arrested several members of the HRA.
• Rajendranath Lahiri , Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil and Thakur Roshan Singh were hanged for it in 1927.
• The only major leader of HRA at this time who evaded arrest was Chandrashekhar Azad.
• Transform into HRSA - In 1928, after the execution of the Kakori Conspiracy accused, the HRA merged with various other revolutionary groups in Punjab, Bihar and Bengal and became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

References

1. The Print | Kakori Train Action
2. Indian Express | Kakori Train Action Anniversary

Sloth bear

A recent study on sloth bear behaviour during tiger encounters suggests strategies to prevent fatal human attacks.

• The sloth bear also known as the Indian bear, is a myrmecophagous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent.

Myrmecophagous, meaning that they specialize in eating termites and ants.

• Scientific name- Melursus ursinus
• Diet- They are omnivorous but primarily feeds on fruits, ants and termites.
• Physical Characteristics- Sloth bears have a long, shaggy coat of black fur, a mane around their shoulders, and a whitish, V- or Y-shaped marking on their chest.
• Behaviour- Sloth bears are mostly nocturnal, foraging for food at night and resting during
• Lifespan- In the wild, sloth bears can live up to 20 years, while in captivity they may live slightly longer.
• Habitat- They prefer tropical and subtropical forests, grasslands, and scrublands.
• They are often found in areas with rocky outcrops and caves, which they use for shelter.
• Distribution- Sloth bears are primarily found in India, but their range also extends to Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN Red List Status- Vulnerable
  • CITES- Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I

Sloth bears are responsible for more attacks on humans than any other large carnivore, with a notable percentage of these attacks being fatal.

References

1. Down to Earth | sloth bears
2. Wildlifesos | Sloth bears

Tarang Shakti

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct its largest international air exercise, 'Tarang Shakti,' with participation from 30 countries.

• About- It will be the biggest air combat exercise to be hosted by India.
• Aim- The aim is to foster interoperability and share best practices and to showcase the indigenous defence industry.
• It will involve the practicing of a variety of combat missions in a realistic environment, boost mutual trust and help explore avenues for interoperability and imbibe best practices from one another.
• Focus- The focus of the exercise will be to showcase the indigenous capabilities under Aatmanirbharta.
• Location- First phase of the exercise will be held in Tamil Nadu's Sulur and the second phase will be in Jodhpur.
• Participants- Germany, France, Spain, UK to participate in 1^st phase of exercise.
• US, Australia, Greece, Singapore, UAE to take part in 2^nd phase.
• Russia not taking part due to ongoing war with Ukraine.
• Participation from India- IAF fighters participating in the drills include Rafales, Sukhoi-30 MKIs, Mirage 2000s, Jaguars, and MiG-29s.
• Locally produced assets include the Tejas LCA Mk-1, Prachand light combat helicopter, Dhruv advanced light helicopter, and its armed version, Rudra.

References

1. The Print | Tarang Shakti
2. Hindustan Times | Tarang Shakti 24