Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 06 Mar 2023
World’s First Bamboo Crash Barrier
Recently, the world’s first 200-metre-long bamboo crash barrier has been installed on a Vani-Warora Highway connecting Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts in Maharashtra.
Named ‘Bahu Balli’, the bamboo crash barrier underwent rigorous testing at various government-run institutions and was rated as Class 1 during the Fire Rating Test and it has also been accredited by the Indian Road Congress (IRC). This crash barrier offers a perfect alternative to steel and addresses environmental concerns.
IRC is the Apex Body of Highway Engineers in the country. The IRC was set up in 1934 on the recommendations of the Indian Road Development Committee best known as Jayakar Committee (1927) set up by the Government with the objective of Road Development in India.
Bal Mitra Diwas
Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) is conducting weeklong celebrations across the nation on the occasion of 5th Jan Aushadhi Diwas. One of the day’s events of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) were dedicated to children which was celebrated as ‘Bal Mitra Diwas’.
The aim of celebrating these events is to increase engagement of general public including women, senior citizens, students and children so that benefits of the Pariyojana may reach each and every corner of the country.
PMBJP is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadhi Campaign. The campaign was revamped as PMBJP in 2015-16.
Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementation agency for PMBJP.
The BPPI works under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. BPPI has also developed the Janaushadhi Sugam Application.
Read More: Janaushadhi Diwas
INS Trikand
INS Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) being held in the Gulf region from 26 Feb to 16 Mar 2023. Exercises will be held with participants from over 50 nations and international maritime agencies with the common aim of enhancing maritime security and keeping sea lanes in the region safe for maritime commerce.
IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world. While this is the Indian Navy’s maiden IMX participation, it also marks the second occasion where an Indian Naval ship is participating in an exercise conducted by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). In November 22, INS Trikand had participated in the CMF-led Operation Sea Sword 2 in the Northwest Arabian Sea.
Read More: Indian Navy
Frog Species Rediscovered After 89 Years
Jerdon's narrow-mouthed frog (Uperodon montanus) was once seen in the Western Ghats' shallow streams. But since it was last studied in 1934, the species faded away permanently. In 2022, a group of zoologists photographed 40 tadpoles of the species in the biodiverse Western Ghats, at the same stage of development as when they were last recorded 89 years ago.
A majority of the amphibians have two different stages: Water-independent adult stage (feeding and breeding) and the aquatic larval stage (feeding) known as tadpoles. These tadpoles / larvae have completely different morphological appearance, feeding, habitat and ecology which is totally different from adults.
The frogs have a longish snout, which gives it its name, and shiny brown skin with darker brown, red and golden spots on the back and head. They are found in rock pools or tree holes filled with rainwater. Its tadpoles are free-swimming and exotrophic (they feed on other species). Change in the tadpole body colouration was observed during the day (comparatively darker) and night (slightly transparent). This frog is considered a montane species and is restricted to higher altitude ranges. They are distributed from near Wayanad south across the Palghat and the Shencottah gaps to the Agasthyamalai hills.
It is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ in the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
Read More: Western Ghats