[current]may w2_p1_ environment & biodiversity_ polavaram project, kudankulam milestone, turtle...

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Mrunal Current Affairs Weekly | 90 2 weeks ago [Current]May W2/P1: Environment & Biodiversity: Polavaram Project, Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gecko CSAT कल बह 1. Prologue 2. E1: Polavaram Project 1. Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) 2. Polavaram Ordinance 3. Anti-ordinance arguments 3. E2: Kudankulam: 1000 MW mark 1. Kudankulam nuke plant: SC rejects plea to appoint panel 4. E3: Star Tortoise vs Olive Ridley Turtle 5. E4: [Newfound] Dancing frogs in days 39 hrs 20 mins 38 sec. 3 0 1 What's New? नया या ? SEARCH B4 ASKING! Search LATEST COMMENTS ABC { Hi bond007, hoping to meet you guys and that we may make it to the 2nd batch ! } – [ACIO] Result for ACIO 2013 exam declared,... ASPIRANT { OFCOURSE EXCISE ONLY...... } – [CAPF Topper] S. Bharat Vaishnov Rank 185:... ANKIT { Mine is 361 } – [CAPF] UPSC declares Written Result of Assistant... HARSH TIWARI { Thankyou so much sir... Economy Current Articles Studyplans Download Toppers Forum

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Page 1: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Mrunal

Current Affairs Weekly | 90 2 weeks ago

[Current]May W2/P1: Environment &

Biodiversity: Polavaram Project,

Kudankulam milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise,

Dancing frog, Elephant shrew, Dwarf Gecko

CSAT क�ल क� सबुह

1. Prologue

2. E1: Polavaram Project

1. Polavaram Project Authority (PPA)

2. Polavaram Ordinance

3. Anti-ordinance arguments

3. E2: Kudankulam: 1000 MW mark

1. Kudankulam nuke plant: SC rejects

plea to appoint panel

4. E3: Star Tortoise vs Olive Ridley Turtle

5. E4: [Newfound] Dancing frogs in

days

39

hrs

20

mins

38

sec.

301

What's New?नया �या ह ?ै

SEARCH B4 ASKING!

Search

LATEST COMMENTS

ABC { Hi bond007,

hoping to meet you guys

and that we may make it to

the 2nd batch ! } – [ACIO]

Result for ACIO 2013

exam declared,...

ASPIRANT { OFCOURSE

EXCISE ONLY...... } – [CAPF

Topper] S. Bharat

Vaishnov Rank 185:...

ANKIT { Mine is 361 } –

[CAPF] UPSC declares

Written Result of

Assistant...

HARSH TIWARI {

Thankyou so much sir...

Economy

Current

Articles

Studyplans

Download

Toppers

Forum

Page 2: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Western Ghats

1. Dwarf Gecko, Maharashtra

2. Sengi Elephant Shrew, Africa

6. E5: Lake Kolleru & its bird sanctuary

7. E6: Hyacinth: hazard to fishes

8. E7: Jhum cultivation: pros and cons

1. Favor of Jhum cultivation

2. Against Jhum cultivation

9. Mock Questions

10. Answers

Prologue

Current Affairs May 2014, Week2 (8 to 14th)

1. Environment Biodiversity: you’re here

2. History Culture: coming soon

3. Polity: coming soon

4. Economy: coming soon

5. IR/diplomacy: after prelims. Reason: hardly

anything asked from it in prelims.

Questions to consider:

Mains General Studies

1. (GS1) “Jhum cultivation, though primitive in

methods, is an ancient way of keeping harmony

with nature.” Comment (200 words.)

2. (GS2) List the Constitutional provisions of

ordinance powers of the president. Narrate

recent cases where it has been used.

Interview

Got 199 air... } – [CAPF]

UPSC declares Written

Result of Assistant...

ANWAR { Sir I think

holding period for ltcg in

case of mutual funds has

been increased to 36

months from 12 months....

} – [Budget] Advance

Pricing Agreement,

Arm's Length,

Vodafone...

TARUN

CHOUDHARY {

regarding the difficulty of

paper, this year, cutoff is

likely to go down.. I

presume that for paper 1

cutoff should be around 90

marks. } – [RTI] Cutoffs

of Central Police

Forces(CPF) and...

DEEPALI { i hv a

querry.plz if anyone hv sm

info,plz share.basel and

rotterdam convention are

legally binding or not? frm

where do they get funds?

only... } – 45 days Before

CSAT: a Few words...

SAHIL { thanks sir ji } –

[Budget] Advance

Pricing Agreement,

Arm's Length,

Vodafone...

ASHOK { friends all

Page 3: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

1. What is Polvaram project? Why is it in

controversy? should it be scrapped off?

2. What is Polavaram ordinance? Why are critiques

arguing that President’s ordinance power has

been misused in this case?

3. Why is Kudankulam nuclear plant unique than

other nuclear plants in India?

4. Do you know the difference between a tortoise

and a turtle?

5. Can you name any new species found in India

during year 2014?

E1: Polavaram Project

Official name: Indira Sagar Multipurpose project

Purpose:

1. To interlink Godavari (Polavaram) & Krishna

(Vijaywada) just before they merge into sea.

(observe map)

2. Store water @ Polavaram dam, West Godavari

district.

optional subject helpful for

gs } – [Download] Indian

Culture and Heritage

Study Material...

HARSH TIWARI { Can

you please elaborate on

life of an assistant

commandant in itbp....

how z it better than bsf r

crpf ... Plzzzz do reply....

Thanks... } – [CAPF

Topper] Ravi Kumar Rai

Sharma Rank...

ABHISHEK { thank you

very much* mrunal } –

[CAPF] UPSC declares

Written Result of

Assistant...

ABHISHEK { finally got

selected in CAPF(AC) thank

you very mrunal ..:) your

website has been very

useful to me. it helped me

a lot during my... } –

[CAPF] UPSC declares

Written Result of

Assistant...

RAHUL { CSAT or no

CSAT........ engineers would

always be where they want

to go...........................be it

the Civil Services or CAT or

anything else................. } –

[Topper's Interview]

Dinesh Gupta (UPSC-

2013/Rank-249) History

Page 4: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

3. Irrigate ~3 lakh ht.

4. general 950+ MW electricity

5. Supply Water to Visakhapatanam & Vizag steel

plant.

Polavaram Project t ime l ine

1941: idea came.

2004: Andhra CM YSR Reddy revives the demand

for Polavaram Project

2009: Andhra government requests the Union

government to start this project.

Union declares it a national project & puts it

under Ministry of Water resource.

Odisha & Chhatisgarh don’t like this. NOT ONE

BIT. They got Supreme Court.

Party Why objection to Polavaram

DAM?

ODISHA

Height of this dam should be low.

else, our Malkangiri forest area

will be submerged in water. (~650

ht.)

How? Because Godavari is fed

from Sabari and Sileru rivers in

Odisha.

CHHATTISGARHDam will submerge villages along

Sabari river. (~800 ht.)

TELANGANA

Dam will submerge villages of

Khammam district.Polvaram project

won’t give any water to us.

Optional,...

RAHUL { CSE 2011 -

CSAT was introduced for

the first time - 46% of the

recommended were

engineers CSE 2010 - No

CSAT - Percentage of... } –

[Topper's Interview]

Dinesh Gupta (UPSC-

2013/Rank-249) History

Optional,...

BOND007 { hope we all

be there in 2nd batch } –

[ACIO] Result for ACIO

2013 exam declared,...

JATIN { Can someone

get information about

books used by Rachit Raj

AIR 3 CSE 2013 for paper 4,

he got 176 marks in

ethics.. Mrunal, can... } –

[Topper's Interview]

Dinesh Gupta (UPSC-

2013/Rank-249) History

Optional,...

RECRUITMENT

H a l l t i c k et s

U p l o a d ed ?

SSC 2013 Re-exam:Yes

CAPF-2014: Yes

CSAT-2014: Not Yet

B a n k i n g S ec t o r

20-Jul: SIDBI

asst .Manager(80)

21-Jul: RBI asst.(only SPORTS

Page 5: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

EIA

Environmental impact assessment

(EIA) says >250 villages and >1.5 lakh

villagers will be affected.

Case pending in SC, Taarikh pe taarikh. ok then why

in news?

Polavaram Project Authority (PPA)

1. May 1, 2014, Cabinet cleared proposal to setup

Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) – for solving

objection by other states and arranging

investment for this project.

1. CEO (IAS), Government of India will appoint

2. Chief Secretary of Andhra & Telangana will be

nominated members. [Later Andhra CM

requested Modi to remove Telangana chief

Secretary from this body, because entire

project area now falls under Andhra only.]

3. +Chief engineers from water, power

Department

2. Union is empowered to create such bodies

under Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956.

But it is not a “Statutory body” until parliament

approves.

Polavaram Ordinance

May 29, 2014: President promulgated an

ordinance, to amend the Andhra Pradesh

reorganization act.

This alters boundaries between Andhra &

Telangana. thus transfers ~250 villages from

Khammam district of Telangana to Andhra

quota)

09-Jul: IBPS RRB 2014

O n 2 0 1 3 R R B s c o r e

16-Jul: Haryana Gramin

11-Jul: Jharkhand Gramin

11-Jul: Puducherry Gramin

o n M a n i p a l Cer t i .

16-Jul: BoB PO

12-Jul: IDBI PO

I T / Co m p u t er

30-Aug: IITD Delhi system

admin(3)

25-Jul: programmer Lucknow

Med.Uni.

25-Jul: programmer Lucknow

Med.Uni.

17-Jul: IT jobs NIHFW

15-Jul: System Op.Raebareli

10-Jul: Karnataka PC

operators

08-Jul: Ludhiana PC operator

06-Jul: IT engg. in CRIS (need

GATE2014)

E n g i n eer s

01-Aug: MECL:

Asst .manager

23-Jul: MNIT Jaipur Tech.asst.

17-Jul: Lighthouse

15-Jul: ONGC Western

Tech.asst.

11-Jul: Freight Corridor

11-Jul: Powergrid Sr.Engg

11-Jul: NBBC Engineers

09-Jul: I IT-K

09-Jul: OIL Drilling Engg.12

07-Jul: VIZAG Jr.Trainee

Page 6: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Pradesh

To help building Polavaram project. (these

villages will get submerged)

Telangana opposed.

Andhra state assembly passed a resolution,

asking Union to create a new law on Polavaram

project. (To replace that ordinance).

Ant i-ordinance arguments

1. As per Supreme Court’s interpretation of Art.123,

ordinance can be issued only in extraordinary

situation. Polavaram is not extraordinary,

government could put this matter in parliament

after a week. (When President was making joint

address to both houses).

2. President cannot promulgate ordinance to

amend Constitution. Only parliament can do so.

On the same logic, Article 3 says “parliament, by

law, can form a new state or alter boundries.”

Hence this matter was outside President’s

ordinance power.

3. Even for the sake of arguments, let’s believe

President has ordinance powers to change

boundary. But even then he did not obtain the

opinion of state legislative assemblies

before doing signing this ordinance.

4. This sets a wrong precedence, next time ruling

government may alter bounders in the states

were it sits in opposition, citing Polavaram case

study.

Pro-ordinance arguments

P o l i c e/ D ef en c e/ I n t e l .

31-Aug: Army Dental

05-Aug: Navy UES

02-Aug: CISF

constables(1203)

21-Jul: NDS(II) 2014

14-Jul: BSF Para-

Medic,Pharma

14-Jul: BSF Motor transport

07-Jul: BSF ASI/H.Constables

06-Jul: Doctors in BSF

S p ec i a l i s t

B Co m / H R / M B A

30-Aug: Accountant NIFFT

Ranchi

15-Jul: ONGC accountants(2)

11-Jul: Freight Corridor(34)

11-Jul: HR officers,NBBC

09-Jul: I IT-K accounts

09-Jul: HR Officers BEL

M ed i c a l / A l l i ed

09-Aug: SAIL Doctors

09-Aug: SAIL Paramedics

28-Jul: Chandigarh

Paramedics

18-Jul: Doctors in HAL

14-Jul: BSF Para-

Medic,Pharma

07-Jul: Haryana Doctors

06-Jul: Doctors in BSF

L eg a l

22-Jul: Attorney,

Kuru.Univ .

07-Jul: Haryana Attorney

S c i en c e/ Ag r i . G r a d s .

30-Aug: Lab Attendent NIFFT

Page 7: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

1. This is not a Constitutional amendment.

2. Every-time fresh reference is not necessary to

seek opinion of the concerned state legislative

assemblies.

E2: Kudankulam: 1000 MW mark

Technology

Voda Voda Energo Reactor (VVER)=

water cooled, water moderated energy

reactor.

Supplier

Atomstroyexports, Russia supplied

both uranium and the the VVER

technology.

Atomstroyexport is a subsidiary of

Russian PSU Rosatom.

Type light water reactor

Sub-Type Pressurized water reactor

software VISWAM

Fuel Uranium

Beneficiaries

1. Tamil Nadu

2. Karnataka

3. Kerala

4. Puducherry

NPCIL will sell electricity to them at

Rs.3.50 per unit. All the unallocated

electricity belongs to Union government.

Timeline :Nuke reactors

Ranchi

25-Jul: Himachal

Tech.Assistants

18-Jul: Delhi Veterinary

14-Jul: IHBT Himachal

10-Jul: Karnataka lab

assistant

10-Jul: Karnataka Horti.Field

Asst.

10-Jul: Scientist MP

S p ec . O t h er s

17-Jul: Labor invest igator

17-Jul: Mineral Economist

07-Jul: Haryana Town planner

M i s c . D es k j o b s

30-Aug: clerks NIFFT Ranchi

01-Aug: MECL:

foremen,driver,mechanic(99

)

31-Jul: NGT

Secretary,Steno,Translators

21-Jul: NIT Warangal asst.

10-Jul: NIT Patna Asst.

15-Jul: NIFT,Gandhinagar

15-Jul: Raebareli Deskjobs

07-Jul: Drivers AMU

F a c u l t y J o b s

22-Jul: Maths Asst .Prof

22-Jul: Cuttak Univ .

18-Jul: Jammu Univ

18-Jul: Haryana Science

18-Jul: NIT Manglore

14-Jul: Gorakhpur

10-Jul: SIUPA Haryana

07-Jul: AMU

W a r n i n g

Page 8: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

1969 Tarapur, with US help.

2002 Kudankulam construction begins

2011

People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy

(PMANE) begins protests against Kudankulam

project.

2013Attained critical capacity. This is India’s 21st

reactor.

2014,

May

Protest completes 1000 days.

Supreme court rejects their plea to appoint

another safety Committee for Kudankulam

2014,

June

Tamilnadu becomes first state to have two

operational nuke plants viz. Kudankulam

and Kalpakkam.

Kudankulam becomes first nuclear plant to

attain 1000MW capacity

Other desi nuke reactors have capacity of

700MW only.

Tata Mundra Thermal plant 800MW

States with highest nuclear energy (October 2013

data)

State rank Nuke power

(MW)

1. Tamilnadu 1440

2. Maharashtra 1400

DONOT wait til l last

date. Online Form Part1

stops working few days

b4 deadline.

DONOT forget/misplace

reg.id, Roll number.

Page 9: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

3. Rajasthan 1180

4. Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar

Pradhesh each with 880

Reasons for delay in reaching 1000MW mark:

1. So far India used Pressurized Heavy Water

reactor technology. But Kudankulam uses Light

water reactor technology. So NPCIL engineers

had to buy coaching material to learn how to use

new technology.

2. After Fukushima incident, NPCIL had to build

additional safety measures.

3. Anti-Kudankulam protests, court cases.

Kudankulam nuke plant : SC rejects plea to

appoint panel

2013

Anti-nuclear activist G. Sundarrajan filed petition

in Supreme court, alleging that Atomic energy

regulatory board (AERB) made haste in clearing

the Kudankulam plant in Tamilnadu.

Supreme court permitted construction of

Kudankulam plant, but gave strict guidelines for

disaster management, environmental protection,

nuclear leakage, regular inspection @3 months

interval etc.

In May 2014

G. Sudar Rajan again went to SC, demanding a

Page 10: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

committee under Ex-AERB chief

A.Gopalakrishnan to supervise the plant.

But Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the

plea to appoint any expert team- AERB, NPCIL

sufficient. It is not necessary to appoint SITs and

Committees everywhere.

E3: Star Tortoise vs Olive Ridley Turtle

Why in news:

1. Olive ridley turtles: hatching Tamilnadu

2. Indian Star Tortoise: Kerala officials arresting

smugglers.

Indian Star

Tortoise

Olive Ridley Turtle

spends most

lifetime on land

Comes near water

for drinking &

cleaning.

in water

comes to land mainly for

mating and egg-laying

Page 11: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Cannot swim in

deep water.

hence doesn’t

migrate over long

distance

Can

Shell (carapace) is

rounded dome, allows

them to hide for

protection.

cannot hide body inside shell

dome (observe photo)

Mostly herbivorous: eat

cactus, grass, weed for

moisture.

Omnivorous: eat both sea-

plants & fish

feet are short, bent,

have claw like structure

to climb rocky land.

Webbed feet. No nails. Evolved

for sailing long distance.

Natural habitat: Rain

shadow area of

Marayur forest,

Kerala

Prefer dry area,

shrubs-grassland

forest.

Atlantic, Pacific and Indian

Ocean.

Warm Ocean preferred.

Hence confined to 30

Degree north to 15

Degree South.

life span: beyond 80

years (in captivity)20-30-50 years

IUCN status: Least

concernIUCN status: Vulnerable

Threats :

Page 12: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Threats:

1. Smuggled as “exotic

pet” due to small

size & distinct shell.

2. Habitat loss due to

bush fires, cattle

grazing, floods.

3. meat used in some

dishes

1. egg harvest by men

2. egg predation by dogs &

birds

3. Fishing trawls use fine

nets, accidently catch

babies.

4. habitat destruction,

climate change affecting

mating and migration

routes.

5. skin for belts and purses.

(Although reduced

because of CITES)

reptile of Chelonian

familysame

Related topic: what’s the difference between

Ghariyal and crocodile? Take that as home work!

E4: [Newfound] Dancing frogs in

Western Ghats

Top

Page 13: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Official name: Micrixalus kottigeharensis

Location: only in Western Ghats – MH, KN, TN

and Kerala. Western Ghats global amphibian

hot-spot. 180+ amphibian species endemic to

Western Ghats.

Who found them? Delhi University professor

Sathyabhama Biju (previously found purple

frogs)

Why called Dancing frogs?

Male frog dance to attract females. Technical

term: ”foot flagging”.

Usually male frogs use croaking sound to attract

females

But these dancing frogs’ Size too small:

almost like a bee. Hence their croaking is barely

hearable in the fast flowing streams of Western

Ghats. Hence dancing style as an adaptation.

These frogs evolved 85 million years ago, but

only 11 species from this family were discover

Page 14: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

till yet.

Threat: perennial streams are drying out.

Agriculture encroachment.

Following two species Gecko and shrew were found

in June, but I’ve have included them in May edition

for continuity in revision.

Dwarf Gecko,

Maharashtra

Sengi Elephant

Shrew, Africa

Special feature: rounded

pupil in their eyes. Other

geckos have cat like eyes.

Official name: Cnemaspis

Girii.

Discovered by disciples

of Dr. Varad Giri of

Bombay Natural History

Society (hence the name

Girii)

Macroscelides micus:

new species of Sengi

/ elephant shrew

found in Namibian

desert

have monogamous

relationship

Unique feature:

round-ears that look

like miniature

Page 15: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Autotomy: when an

animal discards one of its

body organs to ward off

predators. Gecko

discards its tail, later

grows it back.

elephant.

Called “Afrotheria” i.e.

a diverse group of

animals that have

African origin e.g.

Elephant, Sengis, sea

cows etc.

E5: Lake Kolleru & its bird sanctuary

Why in news? Migratory Pelican birds arrived in

Kolleru bird sanctuary. [IUCN status: Least concern].

Location: Lake Kolleru in Andhra Pradesh.

it’s a fresh water lake

It’s a Ramsar wetland site

located near coast but not a lagoon

Enclosed between mouths of Godavari & Krishna

Rivers.

gets water from Bedameru and Tammileru

streams (they get water from Krishna &

Godavari)

Many islands on this lake.

Pallava era copper plates found from the lake.

Threats to Lake Kolleru?

1. Industrial waste and fertilizers polluting the lake.

They promote growth of weed and hyacinth*.

Not good for fishes.

2. Farmers setup artificial saline ponds for hatching

fish and prawn. This saline water pollutes

ground water.

Page 16: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

3. Borewells in the nearby farms = water table

down = salt water intrusion

E6: Hyacinth: hazard to f ishes

WHAT These green plants float on the water.

NATIVE

TOSouth America and Central America

GOOD

wetland species use Hyacinth leaves are

food source

fishes hide in the roots to avoid predators

BAD

Excessive growth of this plant prevents

sunlight from reaching water.

Planktons cannot grow in wetland, Damage

to entire food chain.

E7: Jhum cultivation: pros and cons

of course we all know what is Jhuming but topic in

news, because someone wrote an article in

Thehindu to glamorize jhuming technique.

What is Jhum cultivation?

Farmers slash and burn a patch of land, start

growing food crops.

When soil fertility declines they shift to another

place, burning the jungle again.

For various names for Jhum, refer to NCERT

Geography class 10, chapter 4.

Favor of Jhum cult ivat ion

Page 17: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

1. Uses forest’s natural cycle of regeneration.

2. Organic farming, doesn’t use pesticides or

chemical fertilizers. Trees burned to provide

potash to the soil

3. Cooperation: after jhuming, the land distributed

among farmers.

4. Jhum causes only temporary loss of jungle.

Because once monsoon over, the farmers

abandon the land. Jungle regenerates quickly.

5. The Jhum cycle normally runs for around 6-10

years. i.e. when farmers return to the same

patch of land and burn forest again.

6. During those 6-10 years, same jungle provide

forest produce to the tribals.

7. Contrary to that, monoculture plantation causes

permanent loss of forest, due to chemical inputs.

8. so once, you cut down a forest to raise

monoculture plantation, you cannot reconvert

the same land into natural forest again.

9. Jhuming done in steep hill slopes where

sedentary cultivation not possible. So it’s a reflex

to physiographical characters of the North east.

10. overall, Jhum economically productive +

ecologically sustainable

(~150 words)

Against Jhum cult ivat ion

1. If you leave the jungle for ten years, it’ll

regenerate. But nowadays farmers come back in

jut ~5 years. Not enough time for the forest to

regenerate.

Page 18: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

2. North eastern forest are major carbon sinks,

home to biodiversity. Must be protected.

3. Jhum farming families always suffer food, fuel

and fodder problems, leading to poverty and

malnutrition.

4. tons of biomass gets loss due to burning of

tress.

5. Tree burning leads to:

1. higher CO2, NO2 and other Greenhouse

gases (GHGs). This wasn’t an issue in ancient

times (when there was no industrialization).

But we cannot afford more GHG in modern

era.

2. higher run off of rainwater. hence draught,

drinking water shortage.

3. we cannot find oaks, bamboo and teak

forests in many regions of North East- only

deciduous scrubs left. this erodes

biodiversity of the region.

4. soil erosion, siltation in dams.

(~150 words)

Mock Questions

Q1. Consider following statements about jhum

cultivation

1. When cycle of shifting cultivation becomes

shorter, the biomass of the soil increases.

2. In Jhuming, trees are burnt to provide potash

nutrient to the soil.

3. In theory, jhuming is less harmful to ecology

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than monoculture plantations.

4. Tribals of Andaman-nicobar donot use jhuming

or slash-n-burn technique.

Answer choices

1. only 1, 2 and 4

2. only 2 and 4

3. only 2 and 3

4. only 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider following statements about

Indian star tortoise

1. It’s a critically endangered terrestrial life form

2. Lives on the East coast but migrates to rain

shadow areas of Kerala for laying eggs.

3. It’s a carnivore creature that feeds on insects and

mites.

Incorrect statements are

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 2 and 3

3. Only 1 and 3

4. All of them

Q3. Correct statements about Tortoise and

turtle?

1. Turtle is usually herbivore, tortoise is usually

omnivore

2. Tortoise prefers terrestrial habitat, turtle prefers

aquatic habitat

3. Compared to turtles, the Tortoise has a very

short life span.

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Incorrect statements are

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 2 and 3

3. Only 1 and 3

4. None of them

Q4. In the year 2014, certain new species were

in news. Which of them can be found in

Maharahstra?

1. Elephant-shrew

2. Dancing frogs

3. dwarf geckos

Correct pairs are

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 2 and 3

3. Only 1 and 3

4. None of them

Q5. Which of the following state governments

are officially opposed to Polavaram Project?

1. Telangana

2. Odisha

3. Tamilnadu

4. Maharahstra

5. Chhatisgarh

6. Jharkhand

Correct choices

1. only 1, 2 and 5

2. only 1,3 and 4

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3. only 1, 4 and 5

4. all of them

Q6. Correct statements about Polavaram

Project

1. official name is Rajiv Sagar project

2. Will build a dam in Khammam district, in

Telengana.

3. This dam will interlink Godavari, Krishna and the

Pennar river.

4. None of above

Q7. In May 2014, President of India

promulgated an ordinance related to

Polavaram project. What was its purpose?

1. Specifying the water and electricity sharing

formula among the stakeholder states

2. for Constitution of Polavaram Project Authority.

3. Transferring villages from Andhra to Telangana.

4. Transferring villages from Telangana to Andhra.

Q8. Consider following statements about

Kudankulam project

1. It uses Voda Voda Energo reactor.

2. It runs on light water technology using Viswam

software.

3. This technology imported from Russia while

Uranium imported from Canada

Correct statements are

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 2 and 3

Page 22: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

3. Only 1 and 3

4. None of them

Q9. Which of the following are beneficiary of

electricity from Kudankulam project?

1. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra

2. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana

3. Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana

4. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry.

Q10. Tamilnadu is the __

1. First state in India to have operational nuclear

powerplants in two places.

2. state with highest generation of nuclear energy

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q11. If you’re the chief conservator of forests

of Tamilnadu, which of the following will be

your top priority?

1. Stationing more guards for olive Ridley hatching

site at Rushikulaya.

2. Protection of new found species of elephant

shrew.

3. Rehabilitation of primitive tribal groups of the

Nilgiris, for construction of Polavaram project

4. None of above

Q12. In 2014, a new species of dwarf gecko was

found in Maharashtra. Why is it unique than

the ordinary geckos?

1. it lacks the autotomy ability

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2. it has cat-like eyes

3. Both A and B

4. Neither A nor B

Q13. Kolleru bird sanctuary is enclosed

between the mouths of ____ and ____ Rivers.

1. Godavari, Pennar

2. Krishna, Pennar

3. Godavari, Krishna,

4. Pennar, Polvaram

Q14. Which of the following measures will help

in biodiversity preservation of Lake Kolleru?

1. introduction of aquatic plant species called

Hyacinth, in this wetland habitat

2. Providing subsidy to the fisherman in

surrounding villages to create artificial ponds for

prawn hatching.

3. Requesting UNFCC Secretariat to grant “Ramsar

Wetland site” Status to Lake Kolleru.

Correct choices

1. Only 1 and 2

2. Only 2 and 3

3. Only 1 and 3

4. None of them

Mains General Studies

1. (GS1) “Jhum cultivation, though primitive in

methods, is an ancient way of keeping harmony

with nature.” Comment (200 words.)

2. (GS2) List the Constitutional provisions of

Page 24: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

ordinance powers of the president. Narrate

recent cases where it has been used. (200 words)

Interview

1. What is Polvaram project? Why is it in

controversy? should it be scrapped off?

2. What is Polavaram ordinance? Why are critiques

arguing that President’s ordinance power has

been misused in this case?

3. Why is Kudankulam nuclear plant unique than

other nuclear plants in India?

4. Do you know the difference between a tortoise

and a turtle?

5. Can you name any new species found in India

during year 2014?

Answers

1. Ans C. shorter jhuming cycle means less

biomass because forest cannot regenerate

quickly. so #1 is wrong. #4 is wrong as per

NCERT class10 chapter 4. We are left with answer

(C) only 2 and 3 correct.

2. D. All of them wrong.

3. C. 1 and 3 wrong.

4. B. only 2 and 3 i.e. frogs and geckos.

5. C. Telangana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh

6. D. None of above

7. D. villages from Telangana to Andhra

8. A. only 1 and 2 right

9. D. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry.

10. C both correct. two places and highest

production

Page 25: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

MRUNAL’S RECOMMENDED BOOKLIST

11. D. none of above. Rushikulaya is in Odisha.

12. D. none

13. C. Godavari and Krishna

14. D. none of them. It is already recognized as

Ramsar wetland site.

Visit Mrunal.org/CURRENT for entire Archive

weekly current affairs compilations published so far.

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tenure CJI, JAC, Mullaperiyar, Prasar

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Tags: Rajtanil

अब तक 90 कम��स �लखी गयी

[Current] May-Week1/P2: History

Culture: Tatya’s 200th Anniversary,

Bogus FIR against Bhagat Singh,

Buddha’s Begging bowl, Arab Serai &

Role of Cinema

[Current] May-Week1/P3: Economy-

Financial resolution authority, Reena

Benerjee Committee on

Bancassurance, Minor Bank accounts,

Enforcement day

patel rajan 01/07/2014 at 18:03

mrunal sir ,plz clear my doubt.my problem is different dob.

in my birth cert dob is :5/2/1994

but in my school record dob is 5/1/1993.in my

matriculation ssc cert(GSEB) dob/: 5/1/1993

but after 10th i get admission in 11th sci,but i did diploma

in mech eng & then B.E. mech is running(7 sem)

so my last leaving certificate is from 11th school.but for

passport purpose i need same dob in birth cert & last L.C.

so i do court process for change in my L.C. after court

order 11th school issue me new L.C. as per birth cert. now

in my birth cert & 11th L.C. dob is 5/2/1994. dut in 10th cert

still it is 5/1/1993. when i appear for ias next year which

dob i fill online form. is L.C is valid as per certi valid under

the expression Matriculation/Secondary

Page 27: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Reply

Examination Certificate of upsc notification on page no 2

(2014). will it create any problem for me at verification

stage? my birth cert & 11th L.C is same,should i go with

them or 10th credit certi. i also have copy of court process.

plz guide me on it. which documents is required at main

stage?

Pushkar Mishra 01/07/2014 at 21:38

Reply

Anyone having “MAITHILI” Literature as an optional subject

then please let me know.

Cheers!

taste victory 02/07/2014 at 00:44

Reply

sir whn vl u update sci and tech ….waiting for it!

praveen kumar 02/07/2014 at 02:08

Reply

Thank u sir

ATTICUS 02/07/2014 at 10:42

Reply

Hi Mrunal..

writing competition was a great initiative

why did u stop it ? if no personal reason is involved please

let it happen.. as it immensly help to all de aspirants..

abhilakshya 02/07/2014 at 13:37

Reply

5. A

I think there is a typo

sahil 02/07/2014 at 14:34

Reply

friends i have my sbi po exam on 6th july , does anyone

has any idea whether i can write the (english) descriptive

portion with black/blue pen? reply expected .thanks.

Ujjwal 02/07/2014 at 17:43

No restriction…. can use either black or blue (other

Page 28: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

Reply

colors red, green etc. not forbidden as per rules,

but shouldn’t be used as they are unconventional)

patel rajan 02/07/2014 at 18:14

Reply

use black or blue

sahil 02/07/2014 at 19:31

Reply

Thanks a lot Ujjwal.. :)

rannsa 02/07/2014 at 19:50

Reply

here, official name is incorrect . it should be written

scientific name or zoological name.

optimist 02/07/2014 at 20:07

Reply

Anyone living in varanasi and preparing?

(*seriously)..kindly let me know and let us get in touch

manoj 03/07/2014 at 18:50

Reply

ghariyal related to only chambal river and crocodile get in

narmada and ganga river . ghariyal get only in india but

crocodile get in outside india also . ghariyal as per name

its front mouth like as ghada means pitcher and whole

mouth like pipe, and crocodile’s mouth is flate

dev 04/07/2014 at 07:44

Reply

mrunal when will you post science and tech for ias pre…..

SK.ABID.RAZZA 04/07/2014 at 13:41

Reply

Nyc compilation mrunal sir once again …

animesh 06/07/2014 at 12:30

mrunal sir…agar aap iss site ko hindi me bhi run kare to

mujh jaise hindi medium ke student ke liye bahut benificial

ho jayega aur time bhi save hoga hamara aur samjhne me

Page 29: [Current]May W2_P1_ Environment & Biodiversity_ Polavaram Project, Kudankulam Milestone, Turtle vs Tortoise, Dancing Frog, Elephant Shrew, Dwarf Gecko - Mrunal

‹ परुानी कम��स 1 2

Reply

bhi…..plzz consider my request….i hope… :-)

abhi 06/07/2014 at 17:42

Reply

Sir , prez can promulagate ordinaces in matters only

where parliament can make laws and under article 3

parliament may by law can alter state boundaries ..so its

within the ambit of president’s ordinance making power.

But you hav mentioned its outside prez ordinance issuing

power….

Correct me if m wrong …

shiv kumar 08/07/2014 at 17:07

Reply

Thank you so much sir

jude_lucy 12/07/2014 at 17:34

Reply

sir ji wait…to be technically clear for the sake of pre exam

and to avoid mcq blunders.

Parliament=Prez+L.S+R.S

so it anti argument to ordinance do not say Prez can’t

amend only parliament can.

As far as amendments go both houses can bring such

motions and it only says both houses, there is nothing as

to if prez can or cannot.

jude_lucy 12/07/2014 at 17:36

Reply

oh… so many grammatical mistakes,sorry this stock

samsung keyboard without swype sucks

अपना कम�ट नीच े�ल�खए!

Your Good Name (आपका शभु नाम?)

Email ID (इमले)

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