{"id":14046,"date":"2021-02-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/current_affairs\/uncategorized\/23-02-2021\/facts-in-news-83\/"},"modified":"2025-09-12T18:32:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T13:02:48","slug":"facts-in-news-83","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-02-2021\/facts-in-news-83","title":{"rendered":"Facts in News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0 \u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Facts in News<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Koala<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Scientific Name:<\/strong> Phascolarctos cinereus<\/em><\/li>\n
  • About<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • It is an Australian<\/strong> animal, often called the koala bear<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • They are marsupials<\/strong> (mammals with a pouch for the development of offspring).<\/li>\n
    • Their fur (hair) is more like the coarse wool<\/strong> of a sheep. They have two toes that are fused together on their feet, which they use to comb their fur<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • They have two opposing thumbs<\/strong> on their hands, and both their feet and hands have rough pads and claws<\/strong> to grab onto branches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Habitat:<\/strong> Eucalyptus forests of southeastern and eastern Australia.\n
        \n
      • Koalas rely on the eucalyptus tree for both habitat and food<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Threats<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • Hunting for their fur.<\/li>\n
        • Habitat loss due to land clearing, logging, and bushfires.<\/li>\n
        • Threats of predation and road accidents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • IUCN Red List Status:<\/strong> Vulnerable.<\/li>\n
        • Conservation<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • Caring and rehabilitating the injured.<\/li>\n
          • Building koala sanctuaries and reserves.<\/li>\n
          • Saving eucalyptus trees and planting new ones.<\/li>\n
          • Researching about koala genetics, mating choices and health.<\/li>\n
          • The Koala Conservation Plan<\/strong> by the World Wildlife Fund<\/strong> (WWF) Australia.\n
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MV Anastasia<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • The cargo ship MV Anastasia<\/strong> is a bulk liner<\/strong>, owned by the Swiss-Italian Mediterranean Shipping Company.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • In June 2019<\/strong>, it started off from the port of Hay Point in Queensland<\/strong>, Australia carrying Australian coal.<\/li>\n
  • It could not offload its cargo<\/strong> and carry out crew rotation <\/strong>due to the strict regulations introduced by China<\/strong> in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/li>\n
  • It has been on anchorage near the Caofeidian port of China’s Bohai Sea<\/strong> since September 2020.<\/li>\n
  • However, in February 2021<\/strong>, China conveyed clearance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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VL-SRSAM Missile System<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Vertical launch short-range surface-to-air missile<\/strong> (VL-SRSAM) is indigenously developed by DRDO<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • It has been developed for the Navy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The VL-SRSAM is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • It was tested twice using a static vertical launcher<\/strong> from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The missiles were tested for minimum and maximum range<\/strong>. VL-SRSAM with Weapon Control System (WCS)<\/strong> were deployed during the trials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • Launched by: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises<\/strong> (MSMEs) in 2005.<\/li>\n
  • Nodal Agencies\n
      \n
    • Khadi and Village Industries Commission ( Statutory body)<\/strong> \u2013 for Khadi and Village Industry clusters<\/li>\n
    • Coir Board (Statutory Body)<\/strong>\u2013 Coir based clusters<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Aim: <\/strong>To organise traditional industries and artisans into clusters to make them competitive and increase their income.<\/li>\n
    • Recently, 50 new artisans based SFURTI Clusters spread across 18 states were inaugurated by the MSME Minister.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Key highlights of inaugural speech<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Only 82 of the 371 clusters announced so far are actually functional.<\/li>\n
      • The target of 5,000 clusters is easily achievable if red-tape can be reduced<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • 42 thousand artisans have been supported by these 50 clusters in the traditional segments of muslin, khadi, coir, handicraft, handlooms, woodcraft, leather, pottery, carpet weaving, bamboo, agro-processing, tea and others.<\/li>\n
      • Rs 85 crore has been devolved for the development of these 50 clusters.<\/li>\n
      • The need for a web portal on the lines of Amazon or Alibaba was also emphasised\n
          \n
        • It will help to market these products effectively, both in India and abroad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Government\u2019s Aim related to MSME sector:\n
            \n
          • To increase the share of the MSME sector in the country’s GDP to 40 per cent from the current 30 per cent.<\/li>\n
          • To increase the share of exports to about 60 per cent from 48 per cent.<\/li>\n
          • To create 5 crore new jobs in the next five years in MSME.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Panchagangavali Kandla Forests<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Located in Kundapur taluk, Udupi district, Karnataka.<\/li>\n
  • Area: Nearly 100 Acres<\/li>\n
  • Conservation Threats: Shrimp Farms<\/li>\n
  • Karnataka Biodiversity Board<\/strong> wants to declare the expansive Kandla Forests in the Panchagangavali Estuary as a biodiversity hotspot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Other proposals of Karnataka Biodiversity Board<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Smriti Vana in Udupi:<\/strong> There is a proposal to declare the forest in Udupi as \u2018Smriti Vana\u2019<\/strong> in memory of Udupi Pejawar Mutt\u2019s late seer Vishwesha Tirtha Swami.<\/strong>\n
        \n
      • His contribution to environment conservation has been immense.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Kodi beach, <\/strong>a Turtle Nesting centre<\/strong> in Kundapur taluk, Karnataka needs additional care regarding cleanliness.\n
          \n
        • It is being maintained by local associations and the Forest department<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Marine rescue centres<\/strong> to protect and treat marine fauna, including turtles and dolphins at vantage locations was also proposed.<\/li>\n
        • Monkey Menace<\/strong>: To provide 100% compensation for crop loss to farmers due to monkey menace on the lines of other wild animals was also a key proposal discussed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          About Kandla Forest <\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • As per the Forest Survey of India report in 2014, Karnataka has 300 hectares of mangrove forests <\/strong>\n
              \n
            • These are spread over 3 coastal districts at the confluence of 4 rivers \u2013 Aghanashini, Gangavali, Sharavati and Venkatpura<\/strong> and the Arabian Sea.<\/li>\n
            • This long stretch of dense and tall mangrove vegetation is locally known as Kandla or Sundar<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
            • The same report applauded Karnataka for increasing its mangrove forests over the last 2 decades when a declining trend was seen worldwide in the Mangrove Area due to timber harvesting and pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Further Karnataka boasts of a vibrant saline water ecosystem generally associated with India\u2019s east coast.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              (Please Note* Kandla Port is in Gujrat and Kandla Forest are mangrove forests of Karnataka*)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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International Mother Language Day<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • It is observed every year to promote linguistic<\/strong> and cultural diversity and multilingualism.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Bangladesh<\/strong> proposed the idea to observe International Mother Language Day<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The proposal got UNESCO\u2019s approval in 1999.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • It was welcomed by the UN General Assembly in its resolution of 2002<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • The UN General Assembly in 2007<\/strong> asked its member states \u201cto promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • \u00a0The UN General Assembly officially recognised the day in 2008.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Aims<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • It recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals\u2019 focus <\/strong>on leaving no one behind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Theme<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • This year’s theme is Fostering multilingualism<\/strong> for inclusion in education and society. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Hunar Haat\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Union Minister of Defence inaugurated the 26th edition of ‘Hunar Haat’<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • It has been organised by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs <\/strong>and will continue till March 1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the national capital<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Theme-‘Vocal for Local’<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • Significance –<\/strong>It is a “perfect platform” to promote indigenous products of artisans<\/strong> and craftsmen from across the country<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • It has provided employment and employment opportunities<\/strong> to more than five lakh artisans, craftsmen and artists<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Kasturba Gandhi<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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    \n
  • She was born to Gokuladas Kapadia<\/strong> and Vrajkunwerba Kapadia<\/strong> on April 11, 1869.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • \u00a0She got married to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi at a very early age<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  • Kasturba was an absolute illiterate. MK<\/strong> Gandhi taught her the alphabets<\/strong> and how to read and write.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • She accompanied MK<\/strong> Gandhi <\/strong>to South Africa, where he practised law.\n
      \n
    • In South Africa, she, along with her husband, participated in agitations against the mistreatment of Indian immigrants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • She, along with Gandhi Ji, returned to India in January 1915<\/strong> and joined the Indian freedom movement.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • She took part in various agitations across the country. <\/strong><\/li>\n
        • She often took Gandhi\u2019s place when he was imprisoned. <\/strong><\/li>\n
        • She was also arrested and jailed numerous times.<\/li>\n
        • While MK <\/strong>Gandhi was working for the oppressed peasants in Bihar’s Champaran, <\/strong>Kasturba spent time educating the women <\/strong>there about hygiene and health.<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • \u00a0She also taught them how to read and write.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • She spent a lot of time serving in ashrams. Here, people started calling her ‘Ba’ or mother.<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • She breathed her last at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune on February 22, 1944.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Line of Credit (LOC)<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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Black-footed Ferret<\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Scientific Name:<\/strong> Mustela nigripes<\/em><\/li>\n
  • About<\/strong>\n
      \n
    • Also called the black-eyed ferret<\/strong> because of the distinctive black patches<\/strong> around its eyes.<\/li>\n
    • This animal’s long slender body<\/strong> enables it to crawl in and out of<\/strong> the holes and dwellings of <\/strong>its primary prey, the prairie dog<\/strong>.\n
        \n
      • prairie dogs are essential to their survival, making up the majority of the ferret diet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • These solitary animals live alone<\/strong> and in May and June females give birth to litters of one to six kits that they raise alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Habitat:<\/strong> These are found in short or middle grass prairies in North America <\/strong>and are the only ferret species native<\/strong> to the continent.\n
          \n
        • It often makes its homes in abandoned prairie dog burrows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Threats<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • Elimination of prairie dogs nearly wiped out the ferret population.\n
              \n
            • The ferret is entirely dependent on the presence of prairie dogs and their colonies for food, shelter and raising young.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Habitat loss and non-native disease.<\/li>\n
            • High mortality rate as the reintroduced animals lack survival skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • IUCN Red List Status: <\/strong>Endangered.<\/li>\n
            • Conservation<\/strong>\n
                \n
              • Maintaining existing ferret sites and establishing new reintroduction sites.<\/li>\n
              • Mitigating the existing diseases and research to protection from new ones.<\/li>\n
              • Captive breeding programmes.<\/li>\n
              • The World Wildlife Fund<\/strong> (WWF) has been working with others to increase their numbers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Recently, scientists have successfully cloned a ferret using frozen cells<\/strong> from an animal that died more than 30 years ago.\n
                  \n
                • This is the first time<\/strong> any native endangered species has been cloned in the US.<\/li>\n
                • The female ferret has been named Elizabeth Ann<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  <\/p>\n

                  \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Image Courtesy: The Guardian)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n

                  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Facts in News Koala Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus About It is an Australian animal, often called the koala bear. They are marsupials (mammals with a pouch for the development of offspring). Their fur (hair) is more like the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[25],"class_list":["post-14046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-current-affairs","tag-gs1"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2023\/07\/6396087current-affairs (1).jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14046"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53888,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14046\/revisions\/53888"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}