Current Affair 1:

Soil in Kerala’s monoculture plantations less healthy, productive than natural forests

 

What Is Monoculture Farming?

Monoculture farming is a form of agriculture that is based on growing only one type of a crop at one time on a specific field. In contrast, a polyculture system assumes that a field is sown with two or more crops at a time. It should be noted that the concept of monoculture does not only apply to crops, but to farm animals as well: it consists in breeding only one species of animals on a given farm, be it dairy cows, sheep, pigs, chicken, etc.

Now, on the basis of this study, you will remember the below disadvantages of monoculture.

A study found that monoculture tree plantations in Kerala have reduced soil organic carbon, higher soil temperature and bulk density, all indicators of poor soil health and productivity.

They also score poorly on biodiversity and are less drought-resistant compared to natural forests.

 

Current Affair 2:

Kerala HC: Directed the State to set up a mental health establishment in at least one prison for their well-being as per Section 103(6) of the Mental Healthcare Act.

 

 

The high court took cognizance of a news report regarding mentally ill prisoners remanded to custody for many years without any mental health support.

The high court issued the following interim directions:

1. The State government shall immediately set up a mental health establishment in at least one prison in the State. The prisoners with mental illness shall ordinarily be referred to and cared for in the said mental health establishment.
2. The government shall forthwith constitute Mental Health Review Boards under Section 73 of the Mental Healthcare Act, the composition of which shall be in accordance with Section 74 of the Act.
3. The Mental Health Review Boards shall ensure that prisoners with mental illness are allowed to live with dignity and treated as equal to persons with physical illness.
4. The Mental Health Review Boards shall make available details of the mentally ill remand prisoners detained in jails and mental health establishments to the Kerala State Legal Services Authority.

 

Current Affair 3:

About Irrawaddy Dolphins

 

 

 

Irrawaddy dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and mentioned in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species.

Found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Irrawaddy (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong (China).

The concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.

About Chilika Lake:

1. Chilika is Asia’s largest and world’s second largest lagoon.
2. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
3. In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
4. Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
5. The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
6. Kalijai Temple – Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.

Current Affair 4:

Benefits of using CNG

Green Fuel

Commonly referred to as the green fuel because of its lead and sulphur free character, CNG reduces harmful emissions. Being non-corrosive, it enhances the longevity of spark plugs. Due to the absence of any lead or benzene content in CNG, the lead fouling of spark plugs, and lead or benzene pollution are eliminated.

Safe Fuel

The properties of CNG make it a safe fuel. It is stored in high gauge seamless cylinders which are certified so negligible chance of leakage. It is lighter than air, so in case of leak it just rises up and disperses into the atmosphere and mixes in the air easily and evenly.

High auto ignition temperature

CNG is less likely to auto-ignite on hot surfaces, since it has a high auto-ignition temperature (540 degrees centigrade) and a narrow range (5%-15%) of in flammability. It means that if CNG concentration in the air is below 5% or above 15%, it will not burn. This high ignition temperature and limited flammability range makes accidental ignition or combustion very unlikely.

Increased life of oils

Another practical advantage observed is the increased life of lubricating oils, as CNG does not contaminate and dilute the crankcase oil.

Low operational cost

The operational cost of vehicles running on CNG, as compared to those running on other fuels, is comparatively low.

Dual facility

CNG Vehicle can run both on CNG and Petrol.

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