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Daily Current Affair (7 July 2024)

Zorawar,Chandravalli cave, Gajraj,World Zoonoses Day

 



Daily Current Affair (7 July 2024)

Useful For Prelims

Context
DRDO unveils country’s indigenous light tank Zorawar
  • The tank, was jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) along with Larsen & Toubro.
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A cavernous palimpsest
Remains of dynasties down the ages shine through the pitch-dark interiors of the Chandravalli cave complex in Chitradurga district of Karnataka.

Chandravalli cave

  • The archaeological site, Belongs to the Satavahana period and further back reveal settlements that are around 3000 years old. 
  • Lead coins belonging to the Satavahanas, Roman silver coins and ornaments of gold, silver and copper were discovered here. The hills around here are sprinkled with prehistoric caves and temples.
Highlights of Chandravalli:
  • Ruins of dams: Breached ruins of three to four dams are found in Chandravalli,

  • Ancient coins: Roman, Chinese and Shatavahana era coins were found in Chandravalli 

  • Ankli Matha Caves: Believed to have human dwelling in the past

suggesting that region had lots of rainfall and the past rulers made an attempt to store those water by building dams and support agriculture. Some dams were built as early as fourth century AD by Kadamba ruler Mayura Sharma.
  • Bhairaveshvara Temple
  • Paradeshappa Caves: Seven caves formed centuries ago, inside the hill
  • Large Boulders: Basavanagondi, Neralagondi, Baralagondi and Hulegondi
  • Tiger Engraved rock: A low rocky hill in the centre of Chandravalli valley with a large boulder featuring a 13 ft long tiger engraved in it, with peculiarly bent legs, prominent whiskers and body with a chequered pattern.
Source:- The Hindu, karnatakatourism.
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AI comes to the rescue of elephants
  • Concern is the fragmentation of their habitat: small, forested areas providing sustenance for elephants, interspersed with human-developed landscapes. Fragmentation can also lead to restricted breeding choices. This creates genetic bottlenecks and, in the long term, a reduction in the fitness of the herds.
  • Frequent movement of elephants between their habitable zones brings them into contact with roads and railway lines because female elephant covers about 500 sq. km.
  • Wildlife corridors are a solution—these managed lands allow for migration with minimal human contact. One good example is the Motichur-Chilla corridor in Uttarakhand, which allows the flow of elephant genes between the Corbett and the Rajaji National Parks
  • Introduced system called Gajraj, geophonic sensors on these OFC lines are tuned to pick up the vibrations of the deep and resonant footsteps of passing elephants.
  • This AI-based intrusion detection system analyses data from the sensors, extracting relevant features such as frequency components and duration of vibration. If elephant-specific vibrations are detected, an alert is promptly sent to locomotive drivers in the area, and train speeds are reduced. The system is now operational in the Alipurduar area of north West Bengal, which has been the site of several tragic accidents in the past.
Source:-The Hindu
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Increasing Public Awareness on World Zoonoses Day: Not All Animal Diseases Are Zoonotic

  • 07 JUL 2024 To mark World Zoonoses Day.
  • World Zoonoses Day is celebrated in honour of Louis Pasteur, who administered the first successful rabies vaccine, a zoonotic disease, on July 6, 1885. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about zoonoses—diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans—and promoting preventive and control measures.
  • Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can transfer between animals and humans, such as rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. These diseases are caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
  • Not all animal diseases are zoonotic. Many diseases affect livestock without posing a risk to human health. These non-zoonotic diseases are species-specific and cannot infect humans. Examples include Foot & Mouth Disease, PPR, Lumpy Skin Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Ranikhet Disease.
  • Prevention and control of zoonotic diseases rely on vaccination, good hygiene, animal husbandry practices, and vector control.
  • To mitigate the risk of zoonotic diseases, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has launched a nationwide campaign for Brucella vaccination of bovine calves under NADCP and undertaken Rabies Vaccination under ASCAD.
  • Raising awareness aids in early detection, prevention, and control, ultimately protecting public health. Educating the public about the distinction between zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases helps reduce unwarranted fear and promotes a more informed approach to animal health and safety.
Source:- PIB

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