State PCS

• 29 Jun 2024

Landfill Waste Polluting Waterbodies in Aravalis

Why in News?

Garbage is being illegally dumped at waterbodies in Aravalis. The Aravali land is protected under Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) 1900, which makes the forest department’s approval mandatory to carry out any non-forest activities.

Key Points

• Waterbodies in the Aravalis served as a source of water for the local wildlife, and are now being polluted and filled with spillover garbage and leachate from the landfill.
• It is crucial for the authorities to prioritise the protection of the Aravali ecosystem and take stringent action against those violating environmental laws.

Section 4 of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900

• Special orders under Section 4 of PLPA, 1900 are the restrictive provisions issued by the state government to prevent deforestation of a specified area that could lead to soil erosion.
• When the state government is satisfied that deforestation of a forest area forming part of a larger area is likely to lead to erosion of soil, the power under Section 4 can be exercised.
  • Therefore, the specific land which a special order under Section 4 of PLPA has been issued will have all the trappings of a forest governed by the Forest Act, 1927.

Aravalli

• The Aravallis of Northwestern India, one of the oldest fold mountains of the world, now form residual mountains with an elevation of 300 meter to 900 meter. They stretch for a distance of 800 km. from Himmatnagar in Gujarat to Delhi, spanning Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, the 692 kilometre (km).
• The mountains are divided into two main ranges – the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan, where their extension is about 560 km.
• The hidden limb of the Aravallis that extends from Delhi to Haridwar creates a divide between the drainage of rivers of the Ganga and the Indus

Local Cuisines of Madhya Pradesh to be Showcased

Why in News?

The Madhya Pradesh tourism department is organizing a food festival at different tourist locations where local delicacies will be served to guests.

• This initiative aims to attract tourists to Madhya Pradesh (MP), which is renowned for its diverse traditional and tribal culinary delicacies.

Key Points

• Delicacies made from mango, custard apple and traditional dishes like dal bajha, malwa food, nawabi biryanis and parathas will be showcased in the food festival.
  • The fest will be held on different dates and will continue throughout the year.
• Monsoon food festival will be hosted at Kerwa, custard apple and Biryani fest at Pachmarhi, Malwa food fest at Mandu, sea food at Sailani, desi daal bajha at Ujjain, millets and local delicacies at Gwalior, street food at Shivpuri and Bundeli food at Khajraho among others.

Sustainable Cities Challenge

Why in News?

The holy city of Varanasi has been selected as one of the three cities globally to participate in the Sustainable Cities Challenge along with Detroit and Venice.

• The launch event of the Sustainable Cities Challenge was hosted by the Toyota Mobility Foundation.

Key Points

• As part of the Sustainable Cities Challenge, the Toyota Mobility Foundation will provide funding of USD 9 million.
• Varanasi, which receives over seven crore tourists and pilgrims annually, will invite innovators and startups to develop data-operated solutions to make the city safer and more accessible for visitors.
• Varanasi is inviting innovators from around the world to develop Crowd Management Solutions.
• Over 150 cities from 46 countries around the world participated in the challenge after the call to cities was first launched in June 2023.

Stop Diarrhoea Drive

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh health department is going to launch the 'Stop Diarrhoea’ campaign on July 1, 2024.

Key Points

• The risk of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections increases due to accumulation of contaminated water during the rainy season.
• In such situations, children may suffer from diarrhoea which increases the problem of dehydration. It is transmitted through contaminated food and water.
• ASHA workers will go door-to-door and teach the method of making ORS solutions to the families of children suffering from diarrhoea.
• They will also give information about the benefits of using ORS and zinc as well as cleanliness and hygiene.
• Attention will be given to vulnerable areas, like urban slums, remote areas, nomads, families of labourers engaged in construction work, and families living in brick kilns.

Diarrhoeal Disease

• Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual).
• The most severe threat posed by diarrhoea is dehydration.
  • During a diarrhoeal episode, water and electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium and bicarbonate) are lost through liquid stools, vomit, sweat, urine and breathing.
  • Dehydration occurs when these losses are not replaced.