Prelim Bits 03-04-2018

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal groups (PVTG)

PVTGs are less developed groups with in Tribal groups who need special and focused attention.
There are 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) notified as on date in the country.
The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing a scheme namely “Development of PVTGs”.
The scheme covers the 75 identified PVTGs among Scheduled Tribes in 18 States/ UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

It is a flexible scheme and covers funding for activities like housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry,
It also covers construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs.

National Culture Fund scheme (NCFS)

National Culture Fund (NCF) set up as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 on 1996 by the Government.
The Fund aims at inviting the participation of the corporate sector, non-government organizations, private/public sector as well as individuals in the task of promoting, protecting and preserving India’s cultural heritage.
It enables institutions and individuals to support arts and culture directly as partners with its government.

It is managed and administered by a council headed by Culture Minister to decide the policies and an Executive Committee headed by Secretary, Culture to actualize those policies.
The projects under NCF cover both tangible and non tangible heritages.
Some of the successfully completed projects are Humayun Tomb, Shaniwarwada in Pune.

Sahara Desert

According to a study published in Journals of climate, the Sahara Desert has expanded by about 10 per cent since 1920.
Desert is defined by low average annual rainfall — usually 100 millimeters of rain per year or less.
The most notable expansion of the Sahara occurred in summer, resulting in a nearly 16 per cent increase in the desert’s average area.
Lake Chad, in the Sahel region, serves as a useful indicator of changing conditions along the border of the Sahara.
The study also examined conditions in the Sahel region, the transitional zone connecting the southern Sahara to the Sudanian Savanna.
The results suggest that human-caused climate change, as well as natural climate cycles, caused the desert’s expansion.
The geographic pattern of expansion varied from season to season, with the largest differences along the Sahara’s northern and southern boundaries.
The Sahara is the world’s largest warm-weather desert.
The desert covers large sections of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Western Sahara, Sudan and Tunisia.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

SIDBI celebrated its foundation day today as day of Sampark (connect), Sanwad (interaction), Suraksha (security) and Sampreshan (disseminate) recently.
SIDBI was set up on 1990 under an Act of Indian Parliament,.
It acts as the Principal Financial Institution for Promotion, Financing and Development of the MSME sector as well as for co-ordination of functions of institutions engaged in similar activities.
SIDBI launched Samridhhi- the virtual assistant on banks revamped universal loan portal (www.udyamimitra.in) which will answer standard queries of aspirants 24*7.
A ‘Bankability Kit’ (brought in partnership with Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank) was launched.
It is a step to look beyond financial literacy and be a trusted guide for aspirants and existing entrepreneurs to know entrepreneurial self, know banker & know banking.

Other Initiatives of SIDBI includes MSME Pulse-health tracker of MSME, CRISIDEX-to gauge the MSME aspirations and SMILE LOANS.

Bioluminscence

In 2016, blue waves were spotted in the Juhu beach, Mumbai.
Though popularly called blue waves, the rare natural phenomena are referred to as bio-luminescence.
Bioluminescence is the emission of light by an organism or by a laboratory biochemical system derived from an organism.
It results from a chemical reaction in which the conversion of chemical energy to radiant energy is direct and virtually 100 percent efficient.
The biological light, or bioluminescence, in the waves is the product of marine microbes called phytoplankton.

The presence of phytoplankton known as dinoflagellates in the water is the most common reason for marine bioluminescence.
Dinoflagellates have a tail-like structure called flagella that produces light when disturbed, stressed or in high-pollution levels.

Sand Fish

The sand fish is a small, robust lizard that prefers to stay under the sand rather than above it.
The name sandfish originated because of its ability to move through sand as if it were swimming.
A streamlined body and paddle like feet enable it to move through the sand as easily as a fish moves through water.

The species is generally found in the North African desert and also in Arabian Desert.
A species of sand fish is found in Rajasthan.
The sandfish is an insectivore that can detect vibrations the insects in its vicinity create while moving.

Map of the day

India Physical

Trans Himalayas lies to the north of Great Himalayas and are also called as Tibetan Himalayas.
Trans Himalayas includes Karakoram, Zaskar, Kailash and Ladakh ranges.
The Himalayan range includes

Purvanchal (Purva – East; Chal- Mountains) includes Naga Hills, Patkai Bum, Mizo or Lushai Hills and Manipur Hills.
Garo, Khasi and Janitia hills are part of Shillong Plateau.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard