TNPSC Current Affairs August 06, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs August 06, 2020 (06/08/2020)

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Topic: Latest inventions on Science and Technology

Fluorosis

Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) have developed an equipment-free fluoride ion detection and quantification in drinking water with the naked-eye. It can be operated by non-experts for household use to evade Fluorosis-based disorders.

What is fluorosis?

Fluorosis is a crippling disease resulting from deposition of fluorides in the hard and soft tissues of body due to excess intake of fluoride through drinking water/food products/industrial pollutants over a long period.

It results in dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and non-skeletal fluorosis.

According to WHO, the fluoride concentration in drinking water should not exceed 1.5mg/l.

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Topic: Profile of States, Latest inventions on Science and Technology

Pokkali Rice: Kerala

Farmers in West Bengal are experimenting with the pokkali variety of rice to tide over a crisis-like situation created by severe seawater incursion into paddy fields in the Sundarbans (owing to Cyclone Amphan).

Vyttila-11 varieties of pokkali seedlings were brought from Kerala.

Key Facts:

The pokkali variety of rice is known for its saltwater resistance and flourishes in the rice paddies of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala.

The single-season paddy is raised in saltwater fields between June and November followed by a season of fish-farming.

The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is the subject of continuing research.

Pokkali has medicinal properties and its higher value of antioxidants and low carbohydrate content makes it preferable to those on a low sugar diet.

Vyttila-11 is the latest variety of pokkali developed by the Kerala Agricultural University. It yields about 5 tonnes per hectare.

The crop duration is about 110 days.

It is unique as it practices rice cultivation below sea level.

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Topic: New Appointments, Latest Diary of Events

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu resigned

The day when the Union Territories (UTs) Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh celebrated their one year of formation, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K Girish Chandra Murmu resigned. He sent his letter of resignation to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Following his resignation, Manoj Sinha has been appointed as the LG of Jammu and Kashmir.

Key facts:

Mr Murmu was appointed as the LG of the state of Jammu and Kashmir after its formation under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. He was a 1985 batch IAS officer from Gujarat.

He was a secretary at Ministry of Finance prior to his appointment as LG. He had also served as secretary to PM Modi when he served as CM of Gujarat.

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Topic: Profile of States

First Snow Leopard Conservation Centre of India

The Uttarakhand State Government is to develop India’s first Snow Leopard Conservation centre of India. The centre is to be developed by the Uttarakhand forest department and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The main aim of the centre is to conserve and restore Himalayan ecosystems. It also aims to conserve elusive snow leopards and other endangered Himalayan species.

Concerns:

A number of snow leopards have been spotted in the districts of Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi. However, the actual figures are unknown. So far, the state government has concluded that there are 86 snow leopards in the state.