General Studies - Current Affairs

RECENT NOTEWORTHY DEVELOPMENTS

1. Critically Endangered Sumatran Rhino expecting calf
   
   1. This development is considered as a breakthrough in conservation efforts to save the Sumatran rhino from extinction
   2. The Sumatran Rhino is listed as Critically Endangered, and is mostly found in the island of Sumatra (Indonesia)
      
   3. The number of Sumatran rhinos have halved in the past fifteen years, with only about 200 surviving in the world today
      
   4. The eight year old rhino in a wildlife reserve in Sumatra is expected to give birth in May 2010. It will be the fourth Sumatran rhino calf to be born in captivity
   5. The two-horned Sumatran rhino is the smallest of the world’s five rhino species
      
   6. Rhino have been heavily poached for their horns that are believed to have medicinal properties, especially in East Asian medicine
2. Marine Census discovers 5000 new species
   
   1. A preview of the Census of Marine Life has revealed that the project has discovered more than 5000 new species
      
   2. Scientists presented these early findings in San Diego. The final report from the decade-long census will be released in Oct 2010
   3. The project has involved more than 2000 scientists from 80 countries
   4. The new species found include bizarre and colourful creatures as well as organisms that produce therapeutic chemicals
   5. Findings include the Kiwa hirsuta family of crabs, so named because of their extremely furry appearance, discovered near Easter Island
      
   6. A new species of sponge that produce an anti-cancer chemical have been found in the Florida Keys
      
   7. The census is expected to help develop policies that will better protect marine species and habitats
3. Microsoft-Yahoo search deal approved
   
   1. Microsoft’s plans to buy Yahoo’s internet search and search advertising businesses have been cleared by both European and American regulators
      
   2. Both the European Commission (EC) and the US Dept. of Justice have ruled that the deal will enhance competition and be beneficial to consumers
   3. Major business deals such as this require approval from the Dept. of Justice and the EC in order to be valid in the US and Europe respectively
      
   4. Under the deal, Yahoo will use Microsoft’s Bing search engine, while Yahoo will provide the main advertising sales team for Bing
   5. Yahoo is the internet’s second largest search engine in terms of usage, while Bing is the third. Google, with about 65% market share, is the first. This deal will establish Bing as the second in the market
4. New tiger reserve declared
   
   1. The Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala has been declared as India’s 38^th Tiger Reserve
      
   2. The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in the Sungam Hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills in the Western Ghats in Kerala
      
   3. It is estimated that there are 15 tigers in the Parambikulam reserve. Parambikulam is also home to numerous reptiles, birds and other species
   4. It is estimated that there are about 1100-1200 tigers in India
   5. The Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is the second Tiger Reserve in Kerala, the other one being the Periyar Tiger Reserve
      
5. New farming system heralded
   
   1. A new system of farming based on using fertiliser trees to increase crop yield is being heralded by scientists from around the world
   2. The system uses the Acacia tree to increase nitrogen content in soils which leads to increase in crop yields of as much as 150%
      
   3. The Acacia tree stores the same amount of nitrogen in its leaves as about three bags of commercial fertiliser. When the leaves die and fall to the ground, the nitrogen is released into the soil
   4. The system, used traditionally in Africa, is expected to greatly benefit paddy yields in India, decrease fertiliser use and help address climate change
   5. Other benefits of using the Acadia trees for fertilisers include timber and fuel for farmers, longer growing seasons and higher resistance to drought
6. Chennai Declaration on Biodiversity adopted
   
   1. The Chennai Declaration on Biodiversity has been adopted, calling on nations to prioritise conservation of the earth’s multitude of plant, agricultural, forest and marine species
      
   2. The Declaration was adopted by representatives of organisations like the UN Environment Programme, UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (UNFAO), the International Rice Research Institute, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Prize Fund, and India’s National biodiversity Authority and the Ministry of Environment and Forests
   3. The Declaration was adopted on 17 Feb 2010 after days of negotiation at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai
      
   4. Among the strategies set out by the Declaration are
      1. According economic value to services rendered by nature and agriculture
      2. Finding markets for neglected but nutritious crops
      3. Including rural communities in biodiversity strategies
      4. Promoting biodiversity literacy through public education
      5. Refocusing research and development priorities
   5. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiveristy

Posted in: Current Affairs