Exercise ‘Sanyukt Vimochan, 2024’

• Exercise ‘Sanyukt Vimochan, 2024’ is a multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise.
• It is conducted by the Indian Army.
• The exercise conducted by the Konark Corps of Southern Command of Indian Army, at Ahmedabad and Porbandar in Gujarat. 
• It focuses on the theme of 'Cyclone in Coastal Region of Gujarat'.
• The exercise includes representatives from:
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
  • Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) and
  • Meteorological Department and FICCI.
• The Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration featured various agencies practicing coordinated logistics, rapid response and effective disaster management strategies in a simulated cyclone scenario.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary

• Barnawapara the name coined from village Bar and Nawapara.
• Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary located in the district Raipur of Chhattisgarh.
• The topography of the sanctuary is plain and undulating terrain.
• The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk and Mahanadi are the life line river which runs along the sanctuary to fulfill the water scarcity of the sanctuary.
• The annual rainfall is 1200 mm and the climate is pleasant during the winter season between the months of November to February.
• The sanctuary contains major vegetation of Teak, Sal and Mixed forest.
• The Balar reservoir situated inside the sanctuary supports number of wetland birds and fishes.
• This sanctuary promotes Ecotourism to create awareness to the public.

Global Soil Conference, 2024

The Union Minister of Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has recently addressed the Global Soil Conference, 2024.

• The conference aims to address various challenges, issues and concerns of soils and the latest technology developments in sustainable soil management.
• The conference is organized by Indian Society of Soil Science with International Union of Soil Sciences. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The conference aims to produce:
  • Global recommendations for sustainable soil management.
  • Enhanced international research partnerships.
  • Creation of a global network of soil scientists.
  • Greater public awareness of soil's importance beyond agriculture.
• Theme – “Caring soils beyond food security: Climate Change mitigation and Ecosystem Services”.
• Significance – World population expected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050 (34% increase).
• 95% of food is produced directly/indirectly from soil.
• Challenge – Include soil degradation, nutrient mining, and declining soil health.
• Current Status – India produces 330 million tons of food grains annually.
• Generates USD 50 billion in export earnings and 30% of India's soil is degraded.
• Over 220 million Soil Health Cards distributed since 2015.
• Key Concerns:
  • Growing soil health crisis.
  • Chemical fertilizer dependence.
  • Need for sustainable land management.
  • Importance of reducing the gap between scientific research and farming practices.

Aphantasia

• Aphantasia is a condition where people have limited or no ability to create visual imagery in their mind.
• It affects approximately 2% of the population.
• The condition was first noted by Francis Galton in the 1880s and term coined by neurologist Adam Zeman in 2015.
• People without aphantasia usually show strong neural activity in visual cortex when hearing sounds.
• People with aphantasia usually showed weaker neural responses in visual cortex.

Cooktown, Chancay & Umiam Lake

• Cooktown – It is situated in Australia.
• Umiam Lake – The Union Minister of Civil Aviation attended a Seaplane Demo launch at Umiam Lake, Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya,
• Chancay – It is situated in Peru.
• The USD 3.6 billion Chinese-funded Chancay port project in Peru has raised the concerns of the USA.