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One Liners 22-04-2025
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History, Art and Culture
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Karnataka Village-Level Antiquities Survey
Recently, Karnataka has become the 1st Indian state to complete a comprehensive village-level antiquities survey.
- First-of-its-Kind Documentation – The state's Department of Archaeology is surveying 119 taluks for detailed antiquities documentation.
- Geo-tagging for Heritage Tracking – The survey includes geo-tagging inscriptions, sculptures, and monuments for precise location-based records.
- Expanding Protected Monuments List – A proposal to add 110 monuments to the protected list is underway, with a future goal of protecting 1,000 more.
- Addressing Conservation Challenges – Karnataka faces resource and coordination hurdles in protecting its over 25,000 monuments.
- CSR Initiatives for Monument Upkeep – The ‘Adopt a Monument’ initiative seeks corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding for heritage conservation.
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Geography
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Davis Strait Proto-Microcontinent
Davis Strait proto-microcontinent, a hidden landmass has been found beneath the icy waters of the Davis Strait recently.
- It is a newly identified submerged microcontinent located in the Davis Strait, lies between Canada’s Baffin Island and Greenland.
- Thickness – Ranging from 19 to 24 km.
- Bordered by – 2 narrow bands of thinner continental crust measuring 15 to 17 km.
- These bands serve as a separation from the mainland of Greenland and Baffin Island.
- Geological formation – Its formation linked to the tectonic evolution of the strait.
- Millions of years ago, the tectonic plates beneath the 2 islands shifted, leading to a reconfiguration of the Earth’s crust.
- This process resulted in the development of a substantial continental crust beneath the ocean, which is now recognized as a newly discovered primitive microcontinent.
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South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECl)
Recently, SECL is set to be the 1st coal PSU in India to adopt innovative paste fill technology for underground mining.
- Agreement for Singhali Mine – SECL has signed a ₹7040 crore agreement with TMC Mineral Resources Private Limited to implement this technology in the Singhali underground coal mine in Korba.
- Paste Fill Technology Explained – This eco-friendly method involves filling mined-out voids with a paste made from fly ash, crushed overburden, cement, water, and binding chemicals, eliminating the need for surface land acquisition.
- Environmental and Safety Benefits – Paste filling prevents land subsidence, ensures mine stability, and promotes waste recycling by utilizing industrial byproducts. This is crucial for the densely populated area above the Singhali mine.
- Revitalizing the Singhali Mine – Approved in 1989, the Singhali mine with 8.45 million tonnes of reserves can now proceed with large-scale production (8.4 million tonnes over 25 years) without surface disruption.
- A Landmark for Sustainable Mining – This initiative marks a significant step towards green mining in India, enhancing coal production while minimizing environmental impact and potentially paving the way for similar applications in other constrained underground mines.
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Social Issues
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Harare Declaration
Recently, Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024 in Zimbabwe concluded with the adoption of the Harare Declaration.
- It is a collective African commitment to tackle the health impacts of climate change.
- Aim – To recognize climate change as a health emergency and strengthen Africa's role in climate and health responses.
- Fostering Collaboration – It promotes collaboration among governments, researchers, civil society, and communities.
- Features – Upgrading infrastructure, training health workers, and improving healthcare delivery.
- It emphasizes investing in research, surveillance, and the inclusion of local and traditional knowledge.
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International Relations and Issues
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US Airstrikes Near Hodeidah Port
Recently, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has voiced serious concern regarding US airstrikes in the vicinity of the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa fuel port near Hodeidah.
- Ras Isa – It is a Key Oil Export Hub, primarily known for its facilities dedicated to oil exports.
- Located in – Yemen's Red Sea coast.
- Role – It plays a significant role in Yemen's maritime trade and crucial for the country's energy export sector.
- Hodeidah – A key port city situated on Yemen's western coast.
- Features – It serves as a critical hub for importing essential goods and humanitarian aid into Yemen.
- Its strategic importance lies in controlling access to the Red Sea, making it a major focus in the ongoing conflict.
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Environment
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Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS)
GSWS in Madhya Pradesh will be the 2nd relocation site for African cheetahs after Kuno National Park (KNP).
- Cheetah Relocation – 2 male cheetahs, Prabhas and Pavak, will be moved from KNP to GSWS as part of India's cheetah reintroduction project.
- GSWS – Declared in 1974 and expanded to 362 sq km, the Chambal River bisects it. It's also recognized as an IBA.
- Located in – Northwestern Madhya Pradesh along the Rajasthan border, falls within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests.
- Features – Northern tropical dry deciduous, dry mixed deciduous, and dry deciduous scrub forests with species like Khair and Tendu.
- Fauna – Chinkara, Leopard, Mugger Crocodile, and diverse birdlife.
- Chambal River's Role – It flows through GSWS, supporting aquatic biodiversity and shaping the sanctuary's landscape.
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Security
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Exercise Desert Flag-10
Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed a contingent to Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE for Exercise Desert Flag-10.
- It is a prestigious multinational air combat exercise, hosted by UAE Air Force.
- Aim – To facilitate the exchange of operational knowledge and best practices among participating air forces.
- Participation – It includes contingents from eleven other nations, fostering a rich training environment.
- IAF Aircraft Deployment – It includes combat-proven MiG-29 fighter jets and Jaguar strike aircraft, showcasing diverse capabilities.
- Enhancing Global Military Cooperation – India's participation underscores its commitment to strengthening military ties and operational readiness through international collaboration.
- Exercise Desert Flag-10 – It emphasizes complex and diverse fighter engagements simulating realistic combat scenarios.
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Science
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Enzymes & Co-enzymes
- Enzymes – They are proteins that catalyse reactions in a cell, making metabolism efficient.
- For efficient functioning, many enzymes require some molecules as cofactors.
- These helper molecules are called coenzymes.
- Coenzymes – They are naturally occurring organic molecules that bind to and support the activity of enzymes.
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Miscellaneous
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World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID)
Recently, WCID observed annually on April 21st, designated by the UN, highlights the vital role of creativity and innovation in human development.
- UN Recognition – On April 27, 2017, the UN officially recognized April 21st as WCID, linking it to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
- Importance for SDGs – It underscores how creative and innovative approaches are crucial for achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals.
- Founded by – Marci Segal in 2001.
- Aim – To encourage positive community impact through creative thinking.
- Features – The day encompasses creative problem-solving, driving economic, social, and sustainable development transformations.
- Driving Global Progress – It emphasizes human creativity as a key asset for developing sustainable solutions to complex global challenges.
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World Liver Day, 2025
Recently, World Liver Day observed annually on April 19th, emphasizes the importance of liver health and disease prevention.
- Theme – Food is Medicine.
- It underscores the powerful impact of nutrition on liver health and healing.
- The day serves as a global reminder that informed food choices are powerful tools in preventing liver diseases.
- Liver's Role – As the largest internal organ, the liver performs over 500 crucial functions essential for life.
- Functions – These include detoxification, aiding digestion, regulating blood sugar, and producing vital proteins.
- A balanced diet and conscious lifestyle choices are key to enhancing liver function and resilience.
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