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.
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.
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
- 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.
Context
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
Context