TNPSC Current Affairs March 04, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs March 04, 2020 (04/03/2020)

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Topic: Public Awareness and General Administration, Latest Diary of Events

Sukhna Lake is a living entity

The Punjab and Haryana high court has declared Sukhna Lake a “living entity” or “legal person” with rights, duties and liabilities of a living person. It also declared all citizens of Chandigarh as loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to save the lake from extinction.

Background: The order was passed in a 2009 suo motu petition initiated amid depleting water level in the lake.

What is legal entity?

A legal entity means entity which acts like a natural person but only through a designated person, whose acts are processed within the ambit of law.

About Sukhna lake:

The man-made Sukhna Lake was built in 1958 by Le Corbusier, the architect of Chandigarh. Located in the foothills of the Shivalik Hills, it was designed to collect runoff water from the Hills. The Lake, which is in the process of being officially notified as a wetland, also has a nearby wildlife sanctuary that is home to sambar, pangolin, wild boars, red jungle fowl, cobras and other species.

Key facts:

In 2018, a bench presided over by justice Sharma had accorded the status of “legal person or entity” to animals in Haryana. In Uttarakhand high court, justice Sharma was part of a bench in 2017, which declared the Ganga and Yamuna as living entities, a verdict that was later stayed by the Supreme Court. In June 2019, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled that all animals, birds and aquatic life in Haryana would be accorded the status of legal persons or entities.

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Topic: Places in News, Geographical Landmarks

Black carbon levels spike at Himalayan glaciers

Researchers recently conducted a study on varying levels of Black Carbon in Himalayas.

Key facts:

Black carbon concentrations near the Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricultural waste, and triggered glacial melt.

The monthly mean concentration of EBC (equivalent black carbon) was found to be minimum in August and maximum in the month of May. The observed seasonal mean concentrations of EBC indicated a pristine glacial source and an absence of EBC sources in the locality.

What is black Carbon? What are the concerns?

Black carbon results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. BC is produced both naturally and by human activities as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. Primary sources include emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.

Key Facts:

Complete combustion would turn all carbon in the fuel into carbon dioxide (CO2), but combustion is never complete and CO2, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and organic carbon and black carbon particles are all formed in the process. The complex mixture of particulate matter resulting from incomplete combustion is often referred to as soot.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

World Wildlife Day – March 03

The theme of United Nations World Wildlife Day 2020 is ‘Sustaining all life on Earth’. In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March as UN World Wildlife Day.

It marks the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

World Hearing Day – March 03

The WHO commemorates World Hearing Day each year by deciding the theme and developing brochures and other advocacy materials including posters and banners.

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Topic: International Diary of Events

Corona Virus: World Bank announces 12 billion USD aid

The World Bank announced 12 billion USD to assist countries that are grappling with economic impacts of corona virus. The virus has reached 60 countries so far.

The World bank is to provide the financial aid for the countries to act upon the needs and develop a fast response towards the spread of the virus. Also, priority is to be given to those countries that are the poorest and are at highest risks.

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Topic: Latest Diary of Events

March 4: National Security Day

The Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas or National Security Day was celebrated throughout India. The Day is celebrated to honour the work of Indian Security Forces. This includes every security personnel, policemen, para military forces, guards, commandos, army officers, etc.

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Topic: International Diary of Events

The First Country in the World to provide Free Public Transport

Luxembourg in Europe has become the first country to make all forms of public transport free. It is the second smallest country in the European Union.

Around 0.2 million passengers travel to Luxembourg from its neighbouring countries such as Belgium, France and Germany for work. Also, it has the highest car density in European Union.

Why Free Public Transport?

According to European Commission Statistical Wing, Luxembourg had 670 cars per 1000 people. The capital of the country also called Luxembourg was the 53rd most congested city in the world according to 2020 Traffic Index. It will also help reduce pollution to great extent.